Indonesia (MNN) – Ministry is thriving in Indonesia as lives, communities and hearts are being transformed. Since 2003, HCJB Global has partnered with a local church- and radio-planting ministry that has also started a dozen orphanages. "The amazing part [is that] this is the largest Muslim country in the world. And yet, we've been able to work with this partner to plant [many] radio stations," said HCJB Global President Wayne Pederson.
"We see the spread of the gospel through radio church planting and then through work like reaching out to orphans, having mobile medical teams, and not only talk about the love of Christ but demonstrate the love of Christ through human care," Pederson said.
HCJB Global and its partners have also been able to respond to national crises and disasters such as the devastating earthquake and tsunami and that hit the country in 2005.
As HCJB Global celebrates its success, the mission also looks toward the future. Pederson said the local partner has a vision to plant at least one radio station in each of Indonesia's 100 provinces, eventually connected via satellite. The partner also hopes to increase its medical outreach by building a clinic at each of these stations, along with a counseling center, "making life better for the people of Indonesia."
While the partner has had few problems opening up new radio stations, the situation can change quickly. "The world of Islam is seeking to bring back [Muslim] law that may not allow us to continue to plant radio stations, so we're just trying to work as fast as we can," Pederson said.
Each station costs between $15,000 to $20,000 to plant. Then the local station managers must be trained. HCJB Global provides equipment and training to get stations up and running, but then the station is responsible for ongoing expenses.
To ensure that the ministry in Indonesia continues unfettered, HCJB Global and its partners need your prayers and support.
"Pray that we will be successful in not only a telling of the love of Christ through the radio and bringing those new converts into churches, but that we'd be able to demonstrate the love of Christ through our emphasis on health care," Pederson said.
