February 2013 MEDIAlliance Newsletter
Before there was a Conan O’Brian, a Jay Leno, or even a Johnny Carson…there was Steve Allen, the original host of The Tonight Show. Along with his quick wit, Allen possessed great musical talent, both as a pianist and a composer. One of his songs became the recognizable theme song for his own TV show. It was called “This Could Be the Start of Something Big.”
I have sensed God doing something in these days that could easily echo that theme. God IS up to something big. Even a casual reading of His Word reminds us of the greatness of our God; the magnitude of His creation, the enormity of His love, and the depth of His sacrifice for all. He is a big God.
It has also been my experience that the Lord’s assignments for us are part of His big plan, and are often overwhelming…apart from His power and His Spirit working in us. I certainly feel that in the launch of our new ministry in this new year. I could easily be overwhelmed by the enormity of the task…were it not for God.
MEDIAlliance International. Interesting mash-up.
Media: A means of communicating
Alliance: A merging of efforts or interests
MEDIAlliance: A merging of efforts and interests to communicate to the world the greatest story…the story of hope and love found only in Jesus Christ.
Message. Media. Mankind. MEDIAlliance
[blockquote author=”II Timothy 1:1″ link=”” target=”_blank”]…to further the promise of life in Christ Jesus…[/blockquote]
In early January 2013, MEDIAlliance International was born. After years of connecting and assisting Christian broadcasters through National Religious Broadcasters (NRB), the time was right to form MEDIAlliance, to give even greater focus and flexibility in assisting Christian broadcasters world wide.
The result…a ministry based on almost five decades of broadcast experience and over 10 years of connecting Christian broadcasters and communicators around the globe. MEDIAlliance International is focused on bringing the best in training, mentoring, networking, and encouraging Christian broadcasters.
We assist bold and dedicated communicators who serve in places where evangelical believers are in the vast minority…less than 2% of the population of their country, and often far less than 2%. Some face intimidation, opposition, and real personal danger as they use radio, TV, and the Internet to take God’s Good News to their spiritually needy world.
MEDIAlliance International partners with 12-14 ministries, representing over one million listeners, with broadcast signals that impact potentially over 100 million people with the Gospel. Some partners are established ministries; others are in the early stages of their work. All are intensly committed servants who seek to be more and more effective in changing hearts and lives for Christ.
Current Ministry Work
God has opened doors for ministry work in a wide variety of places. It has been our joy and blessing to come alongside broadcasters in the following locations and help them extend the impact of God’s message.
Albania – Radio 7 Tirana
Albania – Radio 7 Nord , Shkodra
Albania – Radio Emmanuel, Korce
Bolivia – Radio Mosoj Chaski, Cochabamba
France – Gospel Radio , Paris
Haiti – Radio 4VEH, Cap Hatian
India – Good News Television, Chennai
Indonesia – Radio Dian Mandiri , Bali
Kosovo – Radio 7 , Pristina
Romania – Alfa Omega Television , Timasoara
Romania – Radio Voice of the Gospel, Bucharest
Serbia – ELION Media Ministry, Belgrade
Sweden – Hope FM , Stockholm
Turkey – Radio Shema, Ankara
Sometimes we just check in with the leaders to see how the ministry is doing, and to see what we can do to help. Other times it is to answer questions, give direction and to make connections with US ministries for programming and other needs. Always it is to continue a strong relationship, so all of us get a sense of God’s big enterprise called Christian media.
Praise Reports
Russia – We’ve just returned from the Association of Christian Broadcasters-Russia Media Forum in Moscow. About 120 Christian broadcasters gathered there to learn, to discuss, and to be inspired in using media to share the Gospel. Several from NRB, including NRB President Frank Wright and NRB Board Chairman Rich Bott were there to encourage and strengthen these faithful servants. The attendees came from the far reaches of Russia and several of the former Soviet countries.
India – Plans are coming together to hold another Media Training Conference in September 2013 in Delhi, India. Last September there were about 100 in attendance at a similar conference, and early indications are that this year’s event will grow dramatically. MEDIAlliance is glad to provide guidance and coordination alongside Ashvin Dhyriam of Good News Television of Chennai.
Albania – Radio 7 in Tirana, Albania, has launched Radio 7 Nord in the northern part of the country. Based in the city of Shkodra, this new station is producing programming to meet local needs, and also carries programming from Radio 7 Tirana.
Kosovo – Amazing things are happening in this country. Though there have been challenges for the operating of Radio 7 Kosovo, God is opening doors for the first Christian television programming ever in this almost totally Muslim country. The media team placing programming on the most popular secular station in the capital city, Pristina, has found favor with the management of the station. Though not believers in Christ, they see great value in Biblical based programs, especially for their children and youth. And programs on the air just a few weeks are already generating amazing response from viewers. One person wrote:
[blockquote author=”” link=”” target=”_blank”]This program is like a medicine for my mind, my body and my spirit. I never knew what could heal me, but now I do. I know I need God in my life.[/blockquote]
Over the next few months we’ll highlight some of the other ministries we are working with, and some of their prayer needs. It is exciting to see how the Lord is moving in other lands.
Humbled
While I was in Russia I had an unusual opportunity to see God’s hand in the midst of trials…and to see His faithful servants remaining strong. While not directly related to a broadcast ministry, there are some connections. More importantly, it shows the culture of Russia these days.
Two years ago I was invited to bring the message at the Holy Trinity Church in Moscow, pastored by Vasili Romanyuk. There were around 300 at the church, and the believers who worshipped there warmly received me.
Last September, after a long period of disputes with the local authorities that amounted to harassment for this evangelical church, police dressed like workerscame after midnight and bulldozed the church to the ground. It was a devastating blow to the congregation, they are not to be counted out. Since that time they have continued to meet at the site of their former church, to let the neighbors and the authorities that the Lord is above all, and their faith remains strong.
One of my prayers was to be able to stand with them at one of these services. God answered my prayers. Pastor Vasili asked me to bring a message at this outdoor service the Sunday we were in Moscow. I was deeply honored.
The day dawned bright, and the clear night had allowed the temperatures to drop to -15C, about 5 degrees Fahrenheit. When we arrived at the site I was surprised to see about 60 people shoveling a place for the congregation to stand on the snow pack for our service. All ages were represented, from young children to older adults. Some were passing out pizza boxes to open up and stand on as a bit of insulation from the chilling snow pack.
The Pastor led a prayer, and the singers led us in a song or two, including (in Russian) “Count Your Many Blessings.” The passage the Lord led me to for a brief message was from Job 12:9. In the midst of all the tragedy and trials in Job’s life, he is able to say,
“Which of all these does not know that the hand of the Lord has done this,”
Job was acknowledging that trials and trouble do come. But God is in it, or allows it, for His purpose. It was a moving time for me to see these people, now without the church they had build with their own hands, nod in agreement that God is in even this.
When I was in the old church, there was a photograph on the pastor’s bookshelf that captured me. I was fearful that it had been lost when the church was destroyed. But I have just received a copy of it, and it graphically shows the depth of the faith of these people in Russia.
In this picture you see a pastor speaking to his congregation during Soviet days at their underground church in the forest. The people would wander into to the woods at an appointed time, assemble for church, then wander back to their homes so they would not be stopped by the Russian authorities. The pastor in the picture? He’s the father of Pastor Vasili, who can be seen as a young man in the upper left of the picture behind a tree. His brother, Nickolai, in front of him, is also a pastor today.
I think of the church in America, and I know we have much to learn from our Russian brothers and sisters in Christ. I pray that God will continue to use these dynamic believers, even in the difficult days that may come. And I pray we may remain as strong as they when we face the overwhelming trials that may come our way.
Finally…
The financial support for this ministry comes from folks who want to see lives impacted by the Gospel of Christ around the world, and who recognize the powerful tool that the effective use of media provides. Would you pray about helping us by giving to MEDIAlliance. Call or email me if you would like to support this international work, and would like to know more.
Photo Album for February 2013 MEDIAlliance Newsletter
[flickr_set id=”72157670898834340″]
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