Who We Are at African Radio


Background and Purpose In January, 2005 African Radio Ministries (ARM) began broadcasting three weekly half hour radio worship programs aimed at two regions. The Liberian program is broadcast in English from the Sudan Interior Mission station in Monrovia, Liberia. The Ethiopian programs are broadcast in Ethiopia's two most widely used languages, Oromifa and Amharic. Those broadcasts are transmitted from South Africa and cover East Africa and parts of the Middle East. Offices were established in Monrovia, Liberia and in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia to produce programs and to relate to listeners that make contact to learn more about the faith and what it means to follow Christ. The purpose of the programs is to provide a way for people to hear the Gospel and to worship and praise God in a manner that is similar to a simple church service but under the leadership of radio pastors. Listeners are encouraged to gather around the radio with their relatives and neighbors and to participate in the service wherever possible -- by singing and praying and saying the Apostles Creed and the Lords prayer along with the radio pastor. At the end of the program contact information is given so that listeners can telephone or write for literature and for the Bible study course. They are also given information about churches that are nearby so that they can make the connection to other Christians where that is possible. The offices in Addis Ababa and Liberia are receiving letters and calls that tell about the blessings of the program to communities and to individuals in both regions. The number of office contacts has increased steadily. The number of letters and calls received by the Ethiopian office in September of this year was about four hundred. Requests for the Bible study course have been around twenty-five per month. The number of people who reported that they worshipped around the radio now stands at sixty for Liberia and three hundred for Ethiopia. ARM personnel have been meeting with pastors and leaders in both countries to discuss ways to bring these people into the larger fellowship of the Ethiopian Evangelical Church Mekane Yesus (EECMY) and the Evangelical Lutheran Church Liberia Synod (ELCLS). In situations where no established churches can be found nearby the groups will first of all be given Bibles, catechisms and Bible study courses. Then the office will try to make arrangements for the worship group leader to meet with an evangelist that can provide further instruction. Where that is not practical because of geographical, political or religious obstacles, the ARM staff will seek a special solution such as traveling to the area. In some cases mail is the only means of contact that is available.

     In January, 2005 African Radio Ministries (ARM) began broadcasting three weekly half hour radio worship programs aimed at two regions. The Liberian program is broadcast in English from the Sudan Interior Mission station in Monrovia, Liberia. The Ethiopian programs are broadcast in Ethiopia's two most widely used languages, Oromifa and Amharic. Those broadcasts are transmitted from South Africa and cover East Africa and parts of the Middle East. Offices were established in Monrovia, Liberia and in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia to produce programs and to relate to listeners that make contact to learn more about the faith and what it means to follow Christ.

     The purpose of the programs is to provide a way for people to hear the Gospel and to worship and praise God in a manner that is similar to a simple church service but under the leadership of radio pastors. Listeners are encouraged to gather around the radio with their relatives and neighbors and to participate in the service wherever possible -- by singing and praying and saying the Apostles Creed and the Lords prayer along with the radio pastor. At the end of the program contact information is given so that listeners can telephone or write for literature and for the Bible study course. They are also given information about churches that are nearby so that they can make the connection to other Christians where that is possible.

     The offices in Addis Ababa and Liberia are receiving letters and calls that tell about the blessings of the program to communities and to individuals in both regions. The number of office contacts has increased steadily. The number of letters and calls received by the Ethiopian office in September of this year was about four hundred. Requests for the Bible study course have been around twenty-five per month. The number of people who reported that they worshipped around the radio now stands at sixty for Liberia and three hundred for Ethiopia. ARM personnel have been meeting with pastors and leaders in both countries to discuss ways to bring these people into the larger fellowship of the Ethiopian Evangelical Church Mekane Yesus (EECMY) and the Evangelical Lutheran Church Liberia Synod (ELCLS).

     In situations where no established churches can be found nearby the groups will first of all be given Bibles, catechisms and Bible study courses. Then the office will try to make arrangements for the worship group leader to meet with an evangelist that can provide further instruction. Where that is not practical because of geographical, political or religious obstacles, the ARM staff will seek a special solution such as traveling to the area. In some cases mail is the only means of contact that is available.