by Dan Dwire

Why Christian Radio in Uganda? Uganda is a country where over half the population owns a radio, and radio is the primary source of news and information for many. Calvary Radio provides not only the latest news headlines but also the greatest news ever reported: the Good News of the Gospel.

Perhaps one of the most efficient avenues for reaching the Ugandan people with the Gospel is Christian Radio. Statistically, every Ugandan home has a radio. Currently BIMI missionaries operate three radio stations: Life Radio in Mbarara, Word of Life Radio in Masaka, and Calvary Radio in Soroti. Together, these three stations can reach over 40% of the nation's population, depending on weather and other operating conditions. While a portion of each station's broadcast day includes English preaching and music, an emphasis is placed on the local language group (Runyunkore in Mbarara, Luganda in Masaka, and Ateso in Soroti) as well as neighboring language groups to present the Gospel more effectively to the listener. Many visitors attend the local churches as a result of the radio stations. Church-planting is enhanced not only through the evangelistic messages on the radio as souls trust Christ, but also through the edification of the Christians in the churches as they listen to clear Bible teaching and God-honoring music in their language.

Radio Schedule: Every day from 5:30 a.m. until 11:00 p.m., Calvary Radio broadcasts both music and Christian programming, with an emphasis on Bible preaching and teaching. Additionally, locally produced news and sports broadcasts keep the community informed and involved.

We have special programming daily from 12:15-1:00 p.m. for the Independent Baptist Church Hour:

Sundays:
Kiswahili Preaching from Tanzania

Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday:
Ateso Preaching from IBC Soroti

Wednesdays:
Langi Preaching from CBBC Lira

Saturdays:
Kumam Preaching from IBC Akuja

Solar Powered Radio: When Dan Dwire met with the solar power company, he was surprised to learn that they had misunderstood our needs and that our batteries would have an estimated life of 3-4 years rather than the previously quoted 7-8 years. This shortened lifespan would significantly increase the ongoing cost of replacing batteries, even when operating at just half-power. After much prayer and consultation with engineers, our sending pastor, our church family here in Soroti, and fellow missionaries we adjusted our broadcast power to accommodate a more efficient solar power system. From 5:30-10:30 a.m., we broadcast at low power­–just enough to reach Soroti Town. Then from 10:30 a.m.-4:00 p.m. (when the sun is powering the panels) we broadcast at 100 percent power–enough to reach as far as 100 miles in some directions. Then from 4:00-11:30 p.m., we resume the low-power broadcast to Soroti Town.

This method requires only 12 batteries (instead of 32), and the batteries should last at least five years. With fewer batteries having a longer life-span, the depreciation is less than $100/month, and we can operate at full power 5.5 hours per day reaching a potential population of 3.2 million people. During the hours of low-power broadcast, we still reach the Soroti community where the four local independent Baptist churches have been planted.

Testimony of Radio and Tract Ministries:

Dan Dwire reports: A young man came to the church property with questions about the church. As I began talking with David, the man who had come, I learned that he had been reading his Bible at home for quite awhile, but had many questions. He discussed his questions with some Jehovah's Witnesses he knew, but found that their answers did not satisfy him because they did not agree with what he had been reading in his Bible. Recently, while scanning the radio for something to listen to, he found Calvary Radio. The programs and messages he heard were what he had been looking for, but still he had questions. One of the programs he heard on the radio told him about Independent Baptist Church of Soroti and where the church was located. He decided to find the church and ask someone there the questions he had.

Since he had been reading the Ateso version of our tract, Are You Going to Live in Heaven? as he asked his questions, he continued to refer to the tract saying, "I want to live in Heaven, but how can I?" What a privilege it was for me to take him scripture by scripture to show him that Jesus had done everything to pay for his sin and make a way for him to go to Heaven. After quite some time, I asked him, "Why should God let you live in Heaven?" He answered, "Because, even though I am a sinner, I now have accepted Jesus' payment when He died for my sin. I know I will go to Heaven because God promises that He saved me when I believe."

Pray for David as we begin a series of discipleship lessons with him. Thank you for your prayers for Calvary Radio and for the tracts that we have produced now in eight African languages in addition to English! We prepared and distributed over 10,000 copies of the tract (total of all nine languages) in the capital city of Kampala. Each tract has the name and map for one of the churches that have been planted around Uganda. Please pray that many will be saved and that the churches will grow as a result of this upcoming tract distribution.

For more information go to www.TellAfrica.org

Thursday, July 29, 2010

Philippians 4:7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

Richard & Patty Comer -  CENTRAL AMERICA
Brian & Jamie Cone -  THAILAND
Richard & Elizabeth Conrad -  JAPAN