IT WAS A TRIP FEBC PRESIDENT GREGG HARRIS had always wanted to make. But the danger he’d face as a Christian in this isolated nation in Southeast Asia made such a trip unlikely.
But recently, he had the opportunity to visit this remote country and meet the pastor who leads FEBC's work there. Nicknamed "Mr. R." for security reasons, this remarkable pastor has made it possible for thousands of Christians and non-Christians to listen to FEBC over the last three decades. He's also trained many broadcasters to record programs in their native languages.
God has worked dramatically through Mr. R.'s ministry... especially in the lives of two young tribesmen who visited him over 20 years ago.
A New-Found Faith
The men—who were only teenagers at the time--had come to Mr. R. to learn how to lead their people to Christ. Although their tribe... a group of almost 30,000 people... practiced animism, and worshiped deceased ancestors, the young men had recently come to Christ after leaving their village and attending school in the lowlands.
But when they returned home, no one cared about how Christ had changed their lives; in their culture, only the elderly are considered knowledgeable.
Creative Solution
The young men told Mr. R. that they thought they might reach their tribe by recording broadcasts in their native language.
"We want our people to hear the gospel so they will believe in Jesus," they explained. So Mr. R. contacted FEBC, who agreed to train the men to be broadcasters. Before long, the new programs were aired over shortwave radio... and the young men returned to their homeland and distributed radios donated by FEBC among the villagers.
Incredible Impact
After hearing the new broadcasts in their native language, the elders of the tribe exclaimed, "We’re on the radio like all the major nations!" Immediately, the tribe’s attitude toward Christianity changed. In fact, many were eager to purchase radios so even more of their people could listen to the broadcasts!
Today, after two decades of learning about Jesus in their own language, 90% of the tribe has come to faith in Christ, primarily through FEBC broadcasts!
"How grateful I am for the power of Jesus and the power of radio!" Mr. R. said recently. "Through FEBC, so many people have come to know the true and living God…and I am so thankful!"
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