Participants:
Series Code: AWR
Program Code: AWR360006S
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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 00:14 from the delightful country of Argentina 00:16 to the secular nation of the Ukraine. 00:19 Then, follow me 00:20 to the bustling cities of Africa 00:22 and to the beautiful Island of Palawan in the Philippines, 00:26 to see how God is using the radio 00:29 to reach people 00:30 that are searching for the truth. 00:33 Hi, I'm Cami and this is AWR360. 00:56 On the evening of August 27, 1920, 00:59 Sociedad Radio aired a live musical performance 01:02 from this city, 01:03 and it became 01:05 one of the world's 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 Cordoba, Argentina. 01:25 This is Argentina's main educational center, 01:29 with six major universities 01:30 attracting well over 100,000 students. 01:34 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, 01:45 a local salesman 01:47 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, 01:55 I started to catch a glimpse 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 02:15 was full of selfishness and greed. 02:19 Due to my own mistakes, my wife left me, 02:22 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 02:50 in Argentina. 02:54 He stepped inside and tuned 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 the 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 03:30 and quickly texted the number provided by the station. 03:33 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 03:51 and learned more about the Bible, 03:53 the darkness that had once surrounded me, 03:56 began to lift. 03:58 My doubts disappeared, peace filled my soul. 04:02 I was becoming a whole person again. 04:07 Adventist World Radio continues to play 04:09 an important role 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. 04:18 I want to thank Adventist World Radio 04:21 for giving me the opportunity 04:23 to know more about Jesus and the truth. 04:26 They gave me my first Bible 04:29 and sent 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, 04:53 teaching Sabbath School and serving as a deacon. 04:56 He faithfully brings his two lovely children 04:59 each Sabbath so they too can learn about Jesus. 05:11 Come with me as I discover how a self-tuning radio 05:14 divinely corded 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, 05:30 this peaceful place is home to just over 100,000 people. 05:35 The many streets are lined with lovely trees, 05:38 offering shade to passersby, 05:39 and those who stopped 05:41 to enjoy them many colorful shops and cafes. 05:45 Outside of town lies 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. 05:55 I'm here to meet Ruben and hear his conversion story. 06:01 I find Ruben in town, 06:02 and I am struck 06:04 by his contagious laugh and smile. 06:07 Ruben grew up in a Christian home, 06:09 learning about God from his parents. 06:11 But as he grew older, 06:13 he began to trust more in himself than God. 06:21 I worked hard pursuing my dreams 06:24 and soon became a successful businessman. 06:27 There were ups and downs economically, 06:29 but always I would look at myself 06:32 and proudly say, 06:33 thanks to me, I'm getting back up again. 06:39 But then, something happened 06:42 that would challenge Rubens ability 06:44 to get back up again and alter his life forever. 06:55 One day on his way home from work, 06:57 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. 07:12 The next thing he remembers is waking up in the hospital. 07:21 Both of his legs were broken, and he had a collapsed lung, 07:25 along with other injuries. 07:27 This terrible accident 07:29 and the complications that ensued 07:31 would take Ruben two long years to recover from. 07:36 But God was at work. 07:41 While I was in ICU, 07:43 drifting in and out of consciousness, 07:45 I felt a peace 07:47 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. 07:55 After four months in the hospital, 07:57 Ruben returned home, alone. 08:00 Unable to do the activities he once enjoyed, 08:03 depression set in. 08:06 I was a terrible mess. 08:09 People would look at me strange and then start to cry. 08:13 I was no longer the man I used to be. 08:16 I had lost my job, my money, 08:19 my prestige as a businessman 08:20 and professor, everything. 08:24 My life was one of anguish. 08:26 I didn't want to live anymore and decided to kill myself. 08:46 On the day Ruben had decided to commit suicide. 08:49 Something strange and miraculous happened. 08:52 While listening to his radio, 08:54 it suddenly changed stations on its own. 09:01 Ruben recognized the voice on the other end. 09:04 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, 09:12 what he had heard was the first test broadcast 09:15 for the new Adventist World Radio Station, 09:17 called Nuevo Tiempo. 09:21 I anxiously listened to Nuevo Tiempo day after day 09:24 and the words touched my heart. 09:27 I wanted to know who is the man speaking 09:30 and who are Seventh-day Adventists. 09:34 To find answers, 09:36 Ruben went to the phonebook and searched for Adventist. 09:41 He called the number he found and a sweet voice answered. 09:45 It was the wife of the local church pastor, 09:48 and she invited him to attend church that Sabbath. 09:51 The only problem was the church was 1.5 mile from his home, 09:55 and he had no transportation. 10:00 I felt God telling me to walk. 10:03 Walk? 10:05 I can't walk with my legs like this. 10:13 But God gave me the strength, and I walked the whole way. 10:21 When I got there, 10:22 the members welcomed me so warmly. 10:26 And when I walked into the church, 10:28 the same feeling of peace flooded myself. 10:35 While at the church he met the local pastor 10:38 who recognized his talent in sales 10:40 and encouraged Ruben to attend call porter school. 10:43 This he did, and when finished, 10:45 he was invited to the conference office. 10:48 He went at the appointed time, not knowing what to expect, 10:51 and was ushered into a room and given a briefcase, 10:54 books and a call porter jacket. 10:58 I was so excited to become a call porter. 11:02 I knew in my heart that this was truth, 11:06 and I wanted to share it with others. 11:10 After completing Bible studies, 11:12 Ruben was baptized 11:13 into the Seventh-day Adventist Church. 11:20 Today, he's very active in a local church, 11:23 serving as a deacon, leading out in prayer meetings, 11:26 and a small group study. 11:31 He goes door to door, 11:33 daily sharing the saving gospel of Jesus 11:35 through the books he sells. 11:39 Ruben has been healed completely. 11:42 You would never know he once could not walk. 11:48 I have not seen God, 11:50 but I feel like I hear His voice 11:52 through the messages and music of Adventist World Radio. 11:58 Jesus truly does exist. 12:01 He is real. 12:03 And I know this because of the radio. 12:06 To me, it's a spring of living water. 12:10 I owe my life to the work of Adventist World Radio. 12:30 Across the globe, 12:32 there are millions living in difficult to reach places 12:35 where missionaries cannot go. 12:37 North Africa, the Middle East, 12:39 China, North Korea, and many more. 12:43 It is into these very countries that AWR's broadcasts 12:46 are penetrating every single day 12:49 from our strategic network of shortwave, AM, FM, 12:53 and Internet stations. 13:01 As Christians, 13:02 our family is much larger 13:04 than our immediate biological family. 13:06 In fact, we have brothers and sisters 13:07 that live in more than 200 countries 13:09 all around the world. 13:13 We want to remember them in our estate plan, 13:16 we can help you with that process. 13:18 Just log on to awr.org. 13:27 As I am leaving Argentina, 13:29 I am reminded once again 13:31 of how God uses our broadcast to save lives for eternity. 13:35 Our next stop brings us halfway around the world 13:38 to hear the story of Adventist World Radio 13:41 in the Ukraine. 13:53 Here in this beautiful country of Ukraine, 13:56 God is at work in a big way. 13:58 In the last two years the work here in Ukraine 14:00 has been revived 14:01 because of a group of dedicated young people. 14:08 AWR became the first Christian FM radio station 14:12 in all of Ukraine, 14:13 and is currently touching 14:15 the lives of over 800,000 people. 14:22 We're here in the beautiful brand-new studio 14:24 of Adventist World Radio in Kiev, Ukraine. 14:27 In Ukraine, 14:28 a lot of wonderful things are happening. 14:29 We have eight stations across this beautiful country, 14:32 and seven in those seven cities 14:34 were the only radio station there 14:36 and so when people listen to radio, 14:39 when they turn their radio on 14:40 in any one of those seven cities, 14:42 the only station there 14:43 is the Adventist World Radio Station. 14:47 One gentleman, 14:48 he was known to be a very rough character 14:50 and people kind of feared him 14:51 because he was so angry all the time. 14:53 He used terrible language and he decided to buy a radio. 14:56 He bought a radio, turned it on, 14:57 the only station he could get 14:59 was the Adventist World Radio station, 15:02 so he started listening to that, 15:03 started to listen to music, the sermons, changed his life, 15:05 and the people started saying, 15:07 "What's happened to you?" 15:08 Oh, he said, "I'm listening to Adventist World Radio, 15:10 it's changed my life. 15:12 I don't feel like being mad anymore." 15:13 It has changed his heart, touched his life. 15:15 And so that's what happens here in Ukraine 15:18 when people listen to the beautiful music, 15:20 the beautiful messages right here 15:22 at Adventist World Radio in Kiev. 15:26 Beside the 24/7 radio broadcasting, 15:28 three apps have been developed. 15:31 Through the Internet, 15:32 we now have potential 15:34 at reaching even a broader audience. 15:36 We know that people all the way up in Russia 15:38 are listening via the Internet 15:40 and are writing us for Bible studies. 15:48 Thanks to the generous donations, 15:50 the radio program that we have in Kiev, 15:53 actually is broadcasting a live program 15:56 each morning called Wake Up. 15:58 Last year God gave a vision 16:03 in understanding what to do here in radio and praise God, 16:08 almost one week ago we began live programs. 16:13 These live programs have become very popular, 16:15 and we hope to have more of the live programs 16:17 as funds become available. 16:19 We also have a daily program on prayer in Ukraine, 16:22 where people can call in 16:23 and they leave their prayer requests. 16:25 And during that 45-minute program, 16:27 they often have more than 90 people 16:29 calling them with prayer requests. 16:31 We have a wonderful Bible school 16:33 there in Kiev that's kept very busy, 16:35 just readying the lessons and sitting in the back 16:37 and making comments and calling people by phone 16:40 and encouraging them and praying with them. 16:44 Over the last 25 years, over 85,000 people 16:49 have written in for Bible studies 16:51 and completed the courses. 16:55 Many lives are being touched 16:56 by the work of Adventist World Radio 16:58 in Ukraine, 16:59 but we want to reach more for Jesus. 17:06 We have wonderful young people in Kiev, 17:08 but they need your help. 17:10 They have limited space, they have competition, 17:13 and they need your help, 17:15 financial help to make it happen in Ukraine. 17:22 Please prayerfully consider giving to help the work 17:24 of AWR advance here in Ukraine 17:26 so the message of Jesus can be broadcast 17:29 all across this great city of Kiev, 17:31 and across the country of Ukraine. 17:39 I grew up in Indiana, 17:40 and I've been a farmer all my life. 17:43 My father, every time we plant a field, 17:47 when we got through, 17:48 we'd always kneel down and have prayers. 17:50 We've done our part, now the Lord will do His. 17:53 And He always comes through. 17:58 After praying about it, 18:00 my wife and I decided to do a gift annuity 18:03 through Adventist World Radio. 18:05 It goes to people 18:06 that normally are not going to hear 18:09 and that's what 18:10 our Three Angels' Message is all about 18:13 to every nation, kindred, tongue and people. 18:17 When you're a farmer, 18:19 you don't have a retirement plan. 18:21 It was a good way to supplement our retirement. 18:25 It's been a blessing to us. 18:26 And I know it's going to be a blessing 18:28 to those others around the world. 18:38 I am heading to the continent of Africa 18:41 to see for myself 18:42 how the Lord is using dedicated workers 18:45 to reach the people here through AWR airwaves. 18:50 Welcome to Zambia, a land of smiling faces, 18:53 impressive waterfalls, 18:55 wide expanses, and wild animals. 18:58 I'm here to document the work of Adventist World Radio 19:01 and how the Lord is using our broadcast 19:03 to touch the lives of people here. 19:10 In preparing for the Zambia for Christ campaign, 19:12 and the 1,000 meetings to be held 19:15 here in Lusaka, Zambia, 19:16 Adventist World Radio began airing 19:18 a special one-hour program every morning. 19:22 Partnering with a high-powered radio station here in Lusaka, 19:25 AWR was able to reach even more listeners. 19:28 For three months before the speakers arrived, 19:31 and the evangelistic campaigns begin, 19:33 the people were being prepared by the radio. 19:36 The program started with a practical health nugget 19:39 and transitioned 19:40 to a Bible based doctrinal sermon. 19:42 This was to ignite their curiosity 19:44 and encourage them to attend one of the upcoming meetings. 19:48 After the sermon, 19:49 a question of the day was posed 19:51 based on the message given 19:52 and people could call in with their answers 19:54 or further questions. 19:56 Many listeners responded, 19:57 but one particular man caught the attention 20:00 of the radio producer, 20:02 his name was Mr. Wicker. 20:05 This man called in almost every single day 20:10 for three months. 20:12 I couldn't understand how he would have the time 20:17 to be listening and calling in so much. 20:21 I wondered what he did. 20:23 Was he retired or what? 20:27 Mr. Wicker often had the correct answer 20:29 to the daily questions, 20:30 and sometimes even called off air with further inquiries. 20:34 There was something unusual about this man, 20:37 and Nalu is determined to find out what it was. 20:40 Upon further questioning, 20:41 Nalu and the team of AWR volunteers 20:44 found out more about Mr. Wicker, 20:47 and in turn, I was able to hear the exciting story as well. 20:51 As it turns out, Mr. Wicker wife is an Adventist 20:54 and has long prayed for her husband 20:56 to know Bible truth. 20:57 Every Sabbath Mr. Wicker wife 21:00 and their four beautiful daughters 21:02 walk to church alone, wishing that he would come too. 21:06 Mr. Wicker owns his own business 21:08 here in Lusaka. 21:09 He is a woodworker, 21:10 building and repairing sofas, chairs, 21:13 bed frames and other furniture. 21:15 The business is growing 21:17 and he has hired several others to work for him. 21:20 One morning while at work, 21:21 Mr. Wicker stumbled across an unfamiliar radio program. 21:25 He listened attentively, not knowing 21:27 that this was one of the first daily AWR broadcasts 21:30 airing in preparation 21:32 for the evangelistic campaigns coming to Lusaka. 21:35 The word spoken touched Mr. Wicker heart, 21:38 and he decided his workers needed to hear as well. 21:41 What followed, 21:43 quickly became a daily tradition. 21:45 For three months, 21:46 Mr. Wicker gathered his employees together 21:49 around the radio every morning 21:51 for one hour to hear the AWR broadcast. 21:55 They listened intently 21:56 and would only start work after the program had ended. 21:59 And even then, 22:01 they carried the words they heard with them 22:03 throughout their day. 22:05 When we aired the last program 22:08 before the Zambia for Christ campaign began, 22:13 Mr. Wicker called in dejected. 22:17 "What are we going to do 22:19 without your radio program every morning?" 22:24 He almost cried. 22:27 Inspired by the new truths he has learned 22:30 Mr. Wicker has started bringing his family together daily 22:33 for Bible reading. 22:34 His wife and daughters are encouraged 22:36 by the change they see in him and hope one day soon, 22:39 he will also attend church with them. 22:42 If funding was available, 22:45 we would have loved to continue airing this program 22:50 because the impact has been massive. 22:54 And people are still yearning for more just like Mr. Wicker. 22:59 With your support to Adventist World Radio program, 23:02 you can make Zambia for Christ radio program 23:06 continue to minister to millions of people. 23:15 Come with me to the island of Palawan 23:17 to discover how ice cream 23:19 and the perseverance of one man on the radio 23:22 have led to multiple baptisms in the Philippines. 23:32 Hundreds of evangelistic meetings 23:33 are being held 23:35 across the beautiful island of Palawan, 23:37 many of those attending the meetings 23:39 heard about the events on AWR broadcasts, 23:42 and a major portion of the success 23:43 is due to the devotion of the layman. 23:46 These wonderful men and women volunteer their time 23:49 and talents to spreading the Word of God. 23:52 We are on our way 23:53 to meet one of these dedicated men. 23:55 The scenic drive showcase God's creative beauty 23:58 here in the Philippines. 24:02 Jun lives in the city of Narra, 24:04 which is known as the primary producer of rice 24:07 in this province. 24:10 As we arrived, Jun is busy making ice cream. 24:13 It is fascinating 24:14 to see the various steps he takes 24:16 to create his famous flavors. 24:23 As we sit down to chat, he offers me a delicious cup, 24:26 which I'm happy to accept. 24:28 He begins to share his testimony. 24:35 One day Pastor Robert approached me 24:38 asking if I would host the radio program. 24:42 Over the past year, 24:43 AWR broadcasts have had tremendous success 24:46 in reaching many precious Filipinos. 24:49 With the increase in broadcasting 24:50 and with the upcoming meetings, 24:52 the local AWR crew 24:54 needed assistance to meet the demands. 24:56 Jun was asked by our AWR producer 24:58 to volunteer his time as a radio broadcaster. 25:05 My immediate thoughts were, 25:07 "I can't do that. 25:09 This is a job for someone else." 25:13 Jun initially refused, 25:14 feeling doubtful 25:15 that he could ever do such a thing. 25:17 But as the days passed, 25:18 he felt the Lord was impressing him 25:20 to be on the radio, 25:22 so he committed to giving it a try. 25:25 After listening to AWR on the radio, 25:28 I was impressed 25:30 that I too needed to do my part for God. 25:33 His first day was very challenging. 25:36 I thought that I was doing well, 25:38 but then I discovered 25:40 that I had forgotten the most important step. 25:43 It wasn't until after his radio presentation 25:45 that he realized 25:47 that his microphone had not been turned on. 25:49 It was such a disappointing first day, 25:51 the enemy impressed him to give up and quit. 25:56 I felt such shame and embarrassment 25:58 that all I wanted to do was quit. 26:02 It was during this troubling time 26:04 that Jun purchased a cup of ice cream. 26:06 In this moment, a creative idea came to him. 26:12 I still felt impressed 26:13 that God led me here to reach the people. 26:16 And the thought came to me, 26:18 I can offer ice cream in addition to the studies. 26:23 He would ask a Bible question on the radio, 26:25 and those who would call in with a correct answer 26:28 would receive a free cup of homemade ice cream. 26:31 God bless this simple idea. 26:33 As more and more listeners studied their Bibles 26:36 harder in hopes of answering Jun's daily question, 26:40 each hoping to call in first. 26:43 As they came for the ice cream, 26:45 we would continue to discuss the sweetness of Jesus. 26:49 As the evangelistic meetings began, 26:52 those same non-Adventist listeners 26:54 started attending the nightly meetings, 26:56 and many were baptized. 26:59 Jun could have said no to the call of God. 27:02 He could have quit at his first failure. 27:05 But he used his talent. 27:07 And now because of his ice cream, 27:09 more souls will be in the kingdom of heaven. 27:12 God is calling you to be a servant for the Lord. 27:15 He will take you as you are, 27:17 and bless whatever talent you have. 27:20 All He needs is a willing heart. 27:22 Won't you join AWR 27:23 in spreading the sweet news of the gospel 27:26 from broadcast to baptism? 27:28 This is AWR360. |
Revised 2020-05-07