How mission continues where missionaries are banned

There are many places in the world where it is impossible to send missionaries.

The two most common barriers are where it is dangerous to be a follower of Jesus and where there are intransigent political systems who deny access.

Most wonderfully, in these places the church is often growing fast, but sadly, false teachers are making their way in and leading many astray.

If we, who have so many resources can’t go, then how can we encourage, sustain, teach and train God’s people there?

At Grace Baptist Mission (GBM) we have a ministry that literally speaks into such situations, not through human missionaries but rather by using technology to bring teaching and literature to help our brothers and sisters.

The significance of radio

Over 65 years ago GBM radio was created and started to provide Biblical resources. Today, that work continues reaching across vast areas of Africa.

By using TWR transmitters and countless local radio stations, most parts of French and English speaking Africa receive programmes that bring the truth of God’s Word.

Here in the UK - what with the internet and a plethora of podcasts - we listen to the radio less and less. However, it is different across Africa, particularly in the huge rural areas, where radio is still the go-to technology.

The significant thing about radio is that terrorists and governments cannot stop radio waves. Where Christians are violently persecuted and flee for their lives, radio reaches them wherever they are.

Where visas are unobtainable and so missionaries are unable to go, radio doesn’t need a visa.

We calculate that more than 750 million people have access to our programmes covering over 30 countries. GBM radio has a catalogue of more than 2,000 programmes and over 150 accompanying booklets which summarises the teaching given in a radio series. We print around 1,000 copies.

Is this ministry fruitful?

You might wonder if this is a fruitful ministry. Our answer is yes, evidenced by the many positive responses we receive through email, WhatsApp and even by letter!

Here are some excerpts from messages we’ve received: Pastor E asks, "Please pray that the ministry of the word will be appreciated amidst the loud prosperity preaching in our country".

Thanking us for the latest booklets (Minor Prophets & Help with Prayer), D told us that they are "very useful indeed. I am using them for Sunday school teaching and preaching."

In Mali, a radio station director has put us in contact with two new radio stations in Senegal. The directors are keen to air the programmes as they find them accessible, enriching and instructive. All 1,075 French programmes and accompanying booklets have already been sent on memory sticks to this contact.

This mention of memory sticks illustrates that our radio programmes aren’t just confined to broadcasting, but other modern technologies can also be used to engage with the listeners.

Where will we go from here?

In recent months, following a visit to Tanzania by one of our team, we are now exploring exciting opportunities to translate some of the booklets into Swahili, and possibly to broadcast in that language too. It would be great to produce material in the heart language of these people. (This is in addition to translations in Malagasy, Dioula, Lobiri and Congolese Kiswahili.)

When you next read of brothers and sisters facing violent persecution, of false teachers destroying churches, or another missionary application rejected, then remember that God is still at work through means that sometimes we overlook, such as radio.