Participants:
Series Code: AWR
Program Code: AWR360006A
|
00:01 Around the globe Adventist World Radio
00:04 is penetrating into many difficult 00:06 to reach places. 00:08 Let's go see how the Lord is changing lives 00:11 through the airwaves. 00:12 We will travel 00:13 from the delightful country of Argentina 00:16 to the secular nation of Ukraine. 00:19 Then follow me 00:20 to the bustling cities of Africa 00:22 and to the beautiful island of Palau and in the Philippines 00:26 to see how God is using the radio 00:29 to reach people that are searching 00:30 for the truth. 00:33 Hi, I'm Cami. 00:35 And this is AWR360°. 00:55 On the evening of August 27, 1920 00:59 Sociedade Radio aired a live musical performance 01:02 from this city. 01:03 And it became one of the world's 01:05 very first radio broadcasts. 01:07 Their listening audience, only 20 people. 01:11 Nearly 100 years later, 01:12 more than 24 million radio receivers 01:14 are being used in this country, 01:17 making it the ideal setting for Adventist World Radio 01:19 to touch countless lives through the airwaves. 01:22 Today, we are in the city of Córdoba, Argentina. 01:25 This is Argentina's main educational center, 01:29 with six major universities 01:31 attracting well over 100,000 students. 01:35 On the surface, it is a hip youthful scene. 01:38 But as in every culture, there are many hurting people. 01:42 I am heading to the outskirts of the city 01:43 to meet Jorge Liendo, a local salesman 01:46 specializing in signs and posters. 01:49 He welcomes me into his home 01:51 and we sit down to hear his story. 01:53 As Jorge begins, I start to catch a glimpse 01:56 into the life he once lived. 02:01 I was in the midst 02:03 of one of the darkest moments of my life. 02:07 Enslaved to addictions and spiritually dead, 02:10 I didn't even care about the ones I loved most. 02:14 My heart was full of selfishness and greed. 02:19 Due to my own mistakes, 02:21 my wife left me and we were soon divorced. 02:24 It was an extremely painful time for me. 02:28 I felt even deeper into despair than before. 02:32 I felt that my life was over. 02:40 One day Jorge arrived home 02:42 to find a flyer stuck in his gate. 02:44 It was an advertisement for the Nuevo Tiempo Radio, 02:48 the name for Adventist World Radio in Argentina. 02:54 He stepped inside and tune the radio to 92.9. 03:02 The voice of Pastor Ponce filled the room. 03:05 And Jorge listened as an invitation was extended 03:08 for listeners to sign up for free Bible studies. 03:12 For some reason, 03:14 I felt that I needed to respond, 03:16 even though I had only just begun 03:18 listening to this station. 03:20 Jorge sat there in the valley of decision, 03:23 should he really sign up. 03:26 It did not take him long to make up his mind. 03:29 He reached for his cell phone 03:31 and quickly texted the number provided by the station. 03:34 Although Jorge did not realize it at the time, 03:36 he had just sent 03:38 the most pivotal text message of his life. 03:41 He received a response that same day, 03:43 and soon began his new Bible study lessons 03:46 from Nuevo Tiempo Radio. 03:49 As I went through those lessons and learn more about the Bible, 03:53 the darkness that had one surrounded me, 03:56 began to lift. 03:58 My doubts disappear. 04:01 Peace filled my soul. 04:03 I was becoming a whole person again. 04:08 Adventist World Radio continues to play an important role 04:11 in Jorge's spiritual walk. 04:12 He says that hearing someone explain the Bible 04:15 helps to deepen its impression on his heart. 04:19 I want to thank Adventist World Radio, 04:22 for giving me the opportunity 04:23 to know more about Jesus and the truth. 04:26 They gave me my first Bible and send me free Bible studies. 04:32 It is my prayer that Adventist World Radio 04:36 will continue to change the lives, 04:38 just as mine has been changed. 04:42 One year after signing up for the AWR Bible studies, 04:46 Jorge Liendo was baptized 04:48 into the Seventh-day Adventist Church. 04:51 He is very active in his local church, 04:54 teaching Sabbath School and serving as a deacon. 04:57 He faithfully brings his two lovely children each Sabbath 05:00 so they too can learn about Jesus. 05:11 Come with me as I discover how a self-tuning radio 05:15 divinely thwarted a suicide attempt 05:17 right here in Argentina. 05:22 Today, I am in the western part of Argentina 05:25 in the city of Mendoza. 05:28 Situated at the base of the Andes Mountains, 05:31 this peaceful place is home to just over 100,000 people. 05:35 There many streets are lined with lovely trees 05:38 offering shade to passers-by, 05:40 and those who stopped 05:41 to enjoy the many colorful shops and cafes. 05:45 Outside of town like sprawling vineyards 05:47 surrounded by majestic mountains. 05:51 It's a beautiful place, 05:53 but I'm not here only to enjoy the sights. 05:56 I'm here to meet Ruben and hear his conversion story. 06:01 I find Ruben in town, 06:03 and I am struck by his contagious laugh and smile. 06:07 Ruben grew up in a Christian home, 06:09 learning about God from his parents. 06:12 But as he grew older, 06:13 he began to trust more in himself than God. 06:22 I worked hard pursuing my dreams 06:24 and soon became a successful businessman. 06:28 There were ups and downs economically, 06:29 but always, 06:31 I would look at myself and proudly say, 06:34 "Thanks to me, I'm getting back up again." 06:40 But then, something happened 06:42 that would challenge Ruben's ability 06:44 to get back up again and alter his life forever. 06:55 One day on his way home from work, 06:58 Ruben stretched out his arm 06:59 trying to flag down an oncoming bus. 07:04 For some reason, though, the bus driver did not see him. 07:13 The next thing he remembers is waking up in the hospital. 07:22 Both of his legs were broken, and he had a collapsed lung, 07:25 along with other injuries. 07:28 This terrible accident 07:29 and the complications that ensued 07:31 would take Ruben two long years to recover from. 07:37 But God was at work. 07:42 While I was in ICU drifting in and out of consciousness, 07:46 I felt a peace that I had never experienced before. 07:49 And I heard a voice telling me that I was not alone, 07:52 that I would make it through alive. 07:56 After four months in the hospital, 07:58 Ruben returned home alone. 08:00 Unable to do the activities he once enjoyed, 08:03 depression set in. 08:07 I was a terrible mess. 08:09 People would look at me strange and then start to cry. 08:14 I was no longer the man I used to be. 08:17 I had lost my job, my money, 08:19 my prestige as a businessman 08:21 and professor, everything. 08:24 My life was one of anguish. 08:27 I didn't wanna live anymore and decided to kill myself. 08:46 On the day Ruben had decided to commit suicide, 08:50 something strange and miraculous happened. 08:52 While listening to his radio, 08:54 it suddenly change stations on its own. 09:02 Ruben recognize the voice on the other end. 09:05 It was the voice he had heard in the hospital, 09:07 and the same feeling of peace washed over him. 09:11 Unbeknownst to Ruben what he had heard 09:13 was the first test broadcast 09:15 for the new Adventist World Radio station 09:18 called Nuevo Tiempo. 09:21 I anxiously listened to Nuevo Tiempo day after day 09:25 and the words touched my heart. 09:28 I wanted to know who is the man speaking 09:31 and who are Seventh-day Adventists? 09:35 To find answers, 09:36 Ruben went to the phone book and search for Adventist. 09:42 He called the number he found and a sweet voice answered. 09:46 It was the wife of the local church pastor, 09:48 and she invited him to attend church that Sabbath. 09:52 The only problem was the church 09:53 was a mile and a half from his home, 09:56 and he had no transportation. 10:00 I felt God telling me to walk. 10:04 Walk? 10:06 I can't walk with my legs like this. 10:14 But God gave me the strength and I walked the whole way. 10:22 When I got there, 10:23 the members welcome me so warmly. 10:27 And when I walked into the church, 10:28 the same feeling of peace flooded myself. 10:36 While at the church he met the local pastor 10:38 who recognized his talent in sales 10:40 and encouraged Ruben 10:42 to attend colporteur school, this he did. 10:45 And when finished, 10:46 he was invited to the conference office. 10:48 He went at the appointed time, not knowing what to expect, 10:52 and was ushered into a room 10:54 and given a briefcase, books, and a colporteur jacket. 10:58 I was so excited to become a colporteur. 11:03 I knew in my heart that this was truth 11:06 and I wanted to share it with others. 11:11 After completing Bible studies, Ruben was baptized 11:13 into the Seventh-day Adventist Church. 11:21 Today he's very active in the local church 11:24 serving as a deacon, leading out in prayer meetings, 11:27 and a small group study. 11:32 He goes door-to-door 11:33 daily sharing the saving gospel of Jesus 11:36 through the books he sells. 11:40 Ruben has been healed completely. 11:43 You would never know he once could not walk. 11:48 I have not seen God, 11:51 but I feel like I hear His voice 11:53 through the messages and music of Adventist World Radio. 11:59 Jesus truly the success. 12:02 He is real. 12:04 And I know this because of the radio. 12:07 To me, it's a spring of living water. 12:11 I owe my life to the work of Adventist World Radio. 12:31 Across the globe, 12:32 there are millions living in difficult to reach places 12:35 where missionaries cannot go. 12:38 North Africa, the Middle East, 12:40 China, North Korea, and many more. 12:43 It is into these very countries that AWR's broadcasts 12:47 are penetrating every single day 12:50 from our strategic network 12:51 of shortwave AM/FM and internet stations. 13:02 As Christians, our family is much larger 13:04 than our immediate biological family. 13:07 In fact, we have brothers and sisters 13:08 that live in more than 200 countries 13:10 all around the world. 13:14 We want to remember them in our state plan. 13:17 We can help you with that process. 13:18 Just call 800-337-4279 toll free 13:23 or log on to awr.org. 13:30 As I'm leaving Argentina, 13:32 I am reminded once again 13:33 of how God uses our broadcast to save lives for eternity. 13:38 Our next stop brings us halfway around the world 13:41 to hear the story 13:43 of Adventist World Radio in the Ukraine. 13:56 Here, in this beautiful country of Ukraine 13:58 God is at work in a big way. 14:01 In the last two years of work here 14:02 in Ukraine has been revived 14:04 because of a group of dedicated young people. 14:11 AWR became the first Christian FM radio station 14:15 in all of Ukraine. 14:16 And it's currently touching the lives 14:18 of over 800,000 people. 14:25 We're here in the beautiful brand new studio 14:27 of Adventist World Radio in Kiev, Ukraine. 14:30 In Ukraine, 14:31 a lot of wonderful things are happening. 14:32 We have eight stations across this beautiful country. 14:35 And seven, in those seven cities 14:37 we're the only radio station there. 14:39 And so when people listen to radio, 14:42 when they turn the radio on 14:43 in any one of those seven cities, 14:45 the only station there is, 14:46 is the Adventist World Radio Station. 14:50 One gentleman, he was known to be a very rough character, 14:53 and people kind of feared him 14:54 because he was so angry all the time. 14:56 He use terrible language. 14:57 He decided to buy a radio. 14:59 He bought a radio turned it on, the only station he could get 15:02 was the Adventist World Radio Station. 15:05 So he started to listening to that, 15:06 started listening to music, the sermons, 15:08 changed his life and people started saying, 15:10 "What has happened to you?" 15:11 Oh, he said, "I'm listening to Adventist World Radio. 15:13 It's changed my life." 15:15 I don't feel like being mad anymore. 15:16 It's changed his heart, touched his life. 15:18 And so that's what happens here in Ukraine 15:21 when people listen to the beautiful music, 15:23 the beautiful messages right here at 15:25 Adventist World Radio in Kiev. 15:29 Beside the 24/7 radio broadcasting, 15:31 three apps have been developed. 15:34 Through the internet 15:35 we now have potential of reaching 15:37 even a broader audience. 15:39 We know that people all the way up in Russia 15:41 are listening via the Internet, 15:43 and they're writing us for Bible studies. 15:51 Thanks to the generous donations 15:53 the radio program that we have in Kiev 15:56 actually is broadcasting 15:58 a live program each morning called Wake Up. 16:01 Last year, God gave a vision and understanding 16:07 what to do here in radio, and praise God, 16:11 almost one week ago, we began live program. 16:16 These live programs have become very popular, 16:18 and we hope to have more of the live programs 16:20 as fund become available. 16:22 We also have a daily program on prayer in Ukraine 16:25 where people can call in 16:26 and they leave their prayer requests. 16:28 And during that 45-minute program, 16:30 they often have more than 90 people call in 16:33 with prayer requests. 16:35 We have a wonderful Bible school there in Kiev, 16:37 this kept very busy just readying the lessons, 16:40 just sitting in the back and making comments 16:41 and calling people by phone 16:43 and encouraging them and praying with them. 16:47 Over the last 25 years, 16:49 over 85,000 people 16:52 had written in for Bible studies 16:54 and complete the courses. 16:58 Many lives are being touched by the work 16:59 of Adventist World Radio in Ukraine, 17:02 but we want to reach more for Jesus. 17:10 We have wonderful young people in Kiev, 17:12 but they need your help that they have limited space, 17:15 they have competition, 17:17 and they need your help, financial help 17:19 to make it happen in Ukraine. 17:25 Please prayerfully consider giving 17:27 to help the work of AWR advanced here in Ukraine. 17:29 So the message of Jesus can be broadcast 17:32 all across this great city of Kiev, 17:34 and across the country of Ukraine. 17:42 I grew up in Indiana, 17:43 and I've been a farmer all my life. 17:46 My father, every time we'd plant a field, 17:50 when we got through, 17:51 we'd always kneel down and have prayer. 17:53 We'd done our part, now the Lord would do His, 17:56 and He always come through. 18:02 After praying about it, 18:03 my wife and I decided to do a gift annuity 18:06 through Adventist World Radio. 18:08 It goes to people that normally is not going to hear. 18:12 And that's what our three angels' message 18:15 is all about, to every nation, 18:18 kindred, tongue and people. 18:21 When you're a farmer, 18:22 you don't have a retirement plan. 18:25 It was a good way to supplement our retirement. 18:28 It's been a blessing to us. 18:30 And I know it's gonna be a blessing 18:31 to those others around the world. 18:41 I am heading to the continent of Africa to see for myself 18:45 how the Lord is using dedicated workers 18:48 to reach the people here through AWR airwaves. 18:53 Welcome to Zambia, 18:54 a land of smiling faces, impressive waterfalls, 18:58 wide expanses, and wild animals. 19:01 I'm here to document the work of Adventist World Radio 19:04 and how the Lord is using our broadcast 19:06 to touch the lives of people here. 19:13 In preparing for the Zambia for Christ campaign 19:16 and the 1,000 meetings to be held 19:18 here in Lusaka, Zambia, Adventist World Radio 19:21 began airing a special one hour program every morning. 19:25 Partnering with a high powered radio station 19:27 here in Lusaka, 19:28 AWR was able to reach even more listeners. 19:32 For three months before the speakers arrived, 19:34 and the evangelistic campaigns begin, 19:36 the people were being prepared by the radio. 19:39 The program started with a practical health nugget 19:42 and transition to a Bible based doctrinal sermon. 19:46 This was to ignite their curiosity 19:48 and encourage them to attend one of the upcoming meetings. 19:51 After the sermon, a question of the day was posed 19:54 based on the message given 19:55 and people could call in with their answers 19:58 or further questions. 19:59 Many listeners responded, 20:01 but one particular man caught the attention 20:03 of the radio producer. 20:05 His name was Mr. Wika. 20:08 This man calling almost every single day 20:13 for three months, 20:16 I couldn't understand 20:17 how he would have the time to be listening 20:21 and calling in so much. 20:24 I wonder what he did. 20:26 Was he retired or what? 20:30 Mr. Wika often had the correct answer 20:32 to the daily questions, 20:34 and sometimes even called off-air 20:35 with further inquiries. 20:37 There was something unusual about this man. 20:40 And Nalu was determined to find out what it was. 20:43 Upon further questioning, 20:45 Nalu and the team of AWR volunteers 20:47 found out more about Mr. Wika. 20:50 And in turn, I was able to hear the exciting story as well. 20:54 As it turns out, Mr. Wika's wife is an Adventist 20:57 and has long prayed for her husband 20:59 to know Bible truth. 21:01 Every Sabbath Mr. Wika's wife 21:03 and their four beautiful daughters 21:05 walk to church alone, 21:07 wishing that he would come too. 21:09 Mr. Wika owns his own business here in Lusaka. 21:12 He is a woodworker, building, and repairing sofas, chairs, 21:16 bed frames, and other furniture. 21:19 The business is growing 21:20 and he has hired several others to work for him. 21:23 One morning while at work, 21:25 Mr. Wika stumbled across an unfamiliar radio program. 21:28 He listened attentively not knowing that 21:30 this was one of the first daily AWR broadcasts 21:33 airing in preparation 21:35 for the evangelistic campaigns coming to Lusaka. 21:38 The word spoken touched Mr. Wika's heart, 21:41 and he decided his workers needed to hear as well. 21:45 What followed quickly became a daily tradition. 21:48 For three months, Mr. Wika gathered his employees together 21:52 around the radio every morning for one hour 21:55 to hear the AWR broadcast. 21:58 They listened intently 21:59 and would only start work after the program had ended. 22:03 And even then they carried the words 22:05 they heard with them throughout their day. 22:09 When we aired the last program 22:11 before the Zambia for Christ campaign began. 22:16 Mr. Wika called in dejected. 22:20 What are we going to do 22:23 without your radio program every morning? 22:27 He almost cried. 22:30 Inspired by the new truths he has learned, 22:33 Mr. Wika has started bringing his family together daily 22:36 for Bible reading. 22:37 His wife and daughters are encouraged 22:39 by the change they see in him. 22:41 And hope one day soon, 22:43 he will also attend church with them. 22:46 If funding was available, 22:48 we would have loved to continue airing this program 22:53 because the impact has been massive 22:57 and people are still yearning for more just like Mr. Wika. 23:02 With your support to Adventist World Radio program, 23:06 you can make Zambia for Christ's radio program 23:10 continue to minister to millions of people. 23:18 Come with me to the island of Palawan 23:21 to discover how ice cream and the perseverance 23:23 of one man on the radio 23:25 have led to multiple baptisms in the Philippines. 23:35 Hundreds of evangelistic meetings 23:37 are being held across 23:38 the beautiful island of Palawan. 23:40 Many of those attending the meetings 23:42 heard about the events on AWR broadcasts. 23:45 And a major portion of the success 23:47 is due to the devotion of the laymen. 23:50 These wonderful men and women volunteer their time 23:52 and talents to spreading the Word of God. 23:55 We are on our way 23:56 to meet one of these dedicated men. 23:59 The scenic drives showcase God's creative beauty 24:01 here in the Philippines. 24:06 Jun lives in the city of Nara, 24:08 which is known as the primary producer of rice 24:10 in this province. 24:13 As we arrived, Jun is busy making ice cream. 24:16 It is fascinating to see the various steps he takes 24:19 to create his famous flavors. 24:26 As we sit down to chat, 24:27 he offers me a delicious cup, which I'm happy to accept. 24:31 He begins to share his testimony. 24:39 One day, Pastor Robert approached me 24:41 asking if I would host the radio program. 24:46 Over the past year, 24:47 AWR broadcasts have had tremendous success 24:49 in reaching many precious Filipinos. 24:52 With the increase in broadcasting 24:54 and with the upcoming meetings, 24:56 the local AWR crew needed assistance 24:58 to meet the demands. 25:00 Jun was asked by our AWR producer 25:02 to volunteer his time as a radio broadcaster. 25:09 My immediate thoughts were, "I can't do that. 25:12 This is a job for someone else." 25:16 Jun initially refused, feeling doubtful 25:19 that he could ever do such a thing. 25:20 But as the days passed, 25:22 he felt the Lord was impressing him 25:24 to be on the radio. 25:26 So he committed to giving it a try. 25:29 After listening to AWR on the radio, 25:32 I was impressed that I too needed 25:34 to do my part for God. 25:37 His first day was very challenging. 25:40 I thought that I was doing well. 25:42 But then I discovered 25:43 that I had forgotten the most important step. 25:47 It wasn't until after his radio presentation 25:49 that he realized that his microphone 25:51 had not been turned on. 25:53 It was such a disappointing first day, 25:55 the enemy impressed him to give up and quit. 25:59 I felt such shame and embarrassment 26:02 that all I wanted to do was quit. 26:06 It was during this troubling time 26:07 that Jun purchased a cup of ice cream. 26:10 In this moment, a creative idea came to him. 26:15 I still felt impressed that God led me here 26:18 to reach the people. 26:20 And the thought came to me, 26:22 I can offer ice cream in addition to the studies. 26:26 He would ask a Bible question on the radio, 26:29 and those who would call in with the correct answer 26:32 will receive a free cup of home-made ice cream. 26:35 God blessed this simple idea 26:37 as more and more listeners studied their Bibles harder 26:40 in hopes of answering Jun's daily question, 26:43 each hoping to call in first. 26:47 As they came for the ice cream, 26:49 we would continue to discuss the sweetness of Jesus. 26:53 As the evangelistic meetings began, 26:55 those same non-Adventist listeners 26:57 started attending the nightly meetings 27:00 and many were baptized. 27:03 Jun could have said no to the call of God. 27:06 He could have quit at his first failure. 27:09 But he used his talent. 27:10 And now because of his ice cream, 27:13 more souls will be in the kingdom of heaven. 27:16 God is calling you to be a servant for the Lord. 27:19 He will take you as you are, 27:21 and bless whatever talent you have. 27:23 All He needs is a willing heart. 27:26 Won't you join AWR 27:27 in spreading the sweet news of the gospel? 27:30 From broadcast to baptism, this is AWR360°. |
Revised 2022-08-10