International (MNN) — Words of Hope works in some areas of the world where electricity is scarce. For people to tune in to radio broadcasts in their language and hear the Gospel, they must have a radio. The radios need a power source to run. Although batteries are hard to come by, muscle power is always available.
Words of Hope's Lee DeYoung says they've been involved in distributing windup radios so people can hear their broadcasts. "The radio is very important in many parts of the world, especially in Africa. Putting these kinds of radios into people's hands not only helps them to hear the message of Christ, it also gives them some interesting opportunities to make life just a little bit easier."
Ironically, in areas with no electricity, many people have cell phones…which opens another avenue for the radio ministry. "They no longer need to pay for someone else to charge their cell phone; they can do it directly from their own radio as they crank it and continue to generate power. It even becomes kind of a micro-enterprise opportunity for some people. Now they have a radio through which they can hear the Gospel, and they can be of service to their neighbors."
Radio distribution is a major benefit in many countries where distance and terrain are considerable obstacles for believers in gathering together to worship in a church setting. Listening groups will often form the nucleus for a new congregation, so Christian radio is fueling church growth around the world.
