Christian Media Alliance Plans More Mongolian Radio Stations
Following a month-long effort capped with a share-a-thon that included two days of live broadcasts, funds are now available to build three FM repeater radio stations in Mongolia. The increased capacity will allow broadcasters to reach an estimated 75 percent of the country with Christian radio.
Photo: Media ministry partners Reach Beyond, Far East Broadcasting Company and Moody Global Ministries have worked collaboratively to raise $311,519 to add three FM repeater stations in Mongolia. The additional stations will now cover an estimated 90 percent of the country.
Reach Beyond, Far East Broadcasting Company (FEBC) International and Moody Global Ministries joined forces to raise $311,519, which exceeded the goal of $200,000.
These funds will provide for all the equipment, engineering and construction costs. As a result, FEBC’s award-winning flagship station, WIND-FM in Mongolia’s capital of Ulaanbaatar, will microwave its signal to Bulgan, Nalaih and Sainshand for simultaneous rebroadcast.
“Mongolians represent one of the world’s unreached people groups – those who may have never heard the gospel and have little possibility of hearing it,” said Wayne Pederson, president of Reach Beyond. “In 1990, missiologists estimated that Mongolia had only four known believers.”
The first-generation church emerged more than 20 years ago when the nation moved from communism to a democratic form of government. Today, the nation of nearly three million people has an estimated 50,000 Christians according to the Joshua Project.
“This three-way partnership multiplied everyone’s efforts,” said Steve Johnson, Reach Beyond’s executive director of communication. “There was a synergy that helped make this a great success. Each of the ministries and its people had specific roles, and we came together as a unified part of the body of Christ.”
Ed Cannon, FEBC’s president and chief executive officer, cites his long relationship with Reach Beyond’s Pederson as part of the impetus for this collaboration.
“His (Pederson’s) mission and my mission are the same,” Cannon said. “Our hearts are primarily for the unreached people groups. Mongolia is a classic unreached people group.”
For Moody, the project fit their Global Partners Project launched in 2010, with the goal of developing a stronger global influence and ministry, said Bruce Everhart, Moody’s vice president of donor development and channel strategy.
“We’ve been looking for partners that we can go deeper with, and that we would be able to develop win-win relationships with — ministries like Reach Beyond and FEBC,” Everhart said.
Throughout July, more than 2,300 Moody listeners responded with pledges during what leaders called an informal campaign. Then, during the two-day share-a-thon, July 30-31, an estimated 1,300 listeners made pledges. Having met 155 percent of the goal, the additional funds will support the new stations’ first-year operating costs.
With these three new repeater stations, FEBC will now have seven stations in Mongolia. Their goal is to cover the entire nation by 2020 with 21 stations.
“I believe God is extraordinarily pleased when three large global ministries work collaboratively to extend His Kingdom,” Pederson said.
The partnership continues to receive donations for these and stations among other unreached people groups. Donors can make their contributions by clicking here.
Reach Beyond (www.reachbeyond.org) of Colorado Springs, Colo., uses media and medical technology to minister in difficult-to-reach places and people groups around the world..
Far East Broadcasting Company International (www.febcintl.org) of La Mirada, Calif., establishes incarnational radio ministries in Asia to reach unengaged and unreached people groups.
Moody Global Ministries (www.moodyglobal.org) of Chicago exists to equip people with the truth of God’s word to be maturing followers of Christ who are making disciples around the world. They focus on radio ministry, education and publishing.
(Source: Christian Newswire)
