Gospel Broadcasts Reinforced As War Threats Loom

TWR offers messages of hope and peace to embattled listeners in North Korea

By Jeremy Reynalds
Senior Correspondent for ASSIST News Service

CARY, N.C. (ANS) -- While war drums pound loudly in the foreground of daily news reports, in the background a message of peace and hope connects North Korea and Guam.

TWR's powerful transmitter site on the Pacific island of Guam broadcasts biblical messages of hope and peace to North Korea every day.

According to a news release from Trans World Radio (TWR), world tensions entangling the Korean peninsula and the United States have spilled over to the tiny island of Guam, home to international media ministry TWR's 100,000-watt transmitter site.

TWR beams shortwave messages of biblical reconciliation to people who are hungering for God's love rather than political confrontation.

TWR said the Guam site already broadcasts several hours of gospel programming every week to North Korea, where the government maintains strict controls on the media and persecution of Christians is reportedly severe.

Today, though, the escalated saber rattling is spurring TWR's regional and national offices, in concert with partner Child Evangelism Fellowship of South Korea, to redouble efforts to air three new programs in response to the spiritual needs of North Koreans.

TWR said Gospel Train for Children will help North Korean parents pass on the Good News.

Let's Talk About Something will work to connect with nonbelievers and brand-new believers to promote a positive attitude toward hearing more of the Bible story via TWR broadcasts.

Teacher's Institute, produced by CEF-Korea, will train Sunday school teachers and other church leaders to teach the Bible to children.

As TWR Asia strives to raise the necessary additional funding to put the new programs on the air, reports from North Korean believers have emerged about life on a wartime footing.

TWR said Open Doors, a nonprofit organization that supports persecuted believers around the world, recently reported on a smuggled letter in which underground Christians said prices for food and other goods are skyrocketing as people stock up on emergency supplies.

"I would like to thank the many brothers and sisters around the world for their continuous love and support," TWR said Open Doors quoted one North Korean believer as saying.

The believer continued, "We know that our journey will not be an easy one, but we are sure that our faith, desperate hope and passionate desire will someday bear fruit . Please pray for us."

TWR is working to build financial support for what it calls the North Korea project and counter the swirling rumors of war, as it tells and retells the story of the God-man who taught his followers to "love your enemies."

In response to TWR broadcasts, one North Korean listener wrote, "When we listen to your program every night, we are encouraged and find life worth living. If not for the Word of God, and your love and devotion in the midst of our sufferings, our lives would be dark and hopeless."

TWR said another listener shared, "TWR's Korean broadcasts help me keep the faith and understand God's Word more and more. I never forget you and your team in my prayers, as you are serving God by broadcasting His Word to us, day and night . Please do not stop these programs, for they give us the hope of God."

Speaking fluently in more than 200 languages and dialects, TWR exists to reach the world for Jesus Christ. Its global media outreach engages millions in 160 countries with biblical truth. Since 1952, God has enabled TWR to help lead people from doubt to decision to discipleship.

To be a part of the North Korean outreach or to learn more about the project, visitwww.twr.org/give/projects/668/north-korea-project.html