A portable messenger radio can take the gospel message where Christian workers cannot go.

Radio is a key communication tool for poor, illiterate or remote people groups. Radio provides a life-line of hope and suport in times of disaster, isolation or distress.

Since 1950 Far East Broadcasting has made it possible for people to listen to Christian broadcasts with PM radios. The PM radios are distributed free to people who otherwise could not afford or obtain a radio.

They are pre-tuned to the relevant FEBC station, where listeners can hear the news, public health and safety information (particularly in times of disaster), music and we also share the gospel message.

These radios come in a number of formats and cost only A$30 each. FEBC staff provide the listener with the radio most suited to their location and circumstances:

• Solar-powered radios are tuned to the nearest FEBC station. The solar panel charges the batteries to enable its use at all hours.
• Wind-up radios need no other power source. Winding the handle for 90 seconds provides 45 minutes of radio listening. It comes with two shortwave bands which make tuning in to FEBC very easy.

The radios are distributed in countries such as Cambodia, Indonesia, Myanmar, Thailand and the Philippines. Most recently they have been distributed as part of FEBC’s disaster response strategies following India’s Bihar floods in 2008, the typhoon in the Philippines and the earthquakes in Indonesia in 2009; and the devastating floods in Pakistan 2010.

1,000's of Radios are given freely

Responses from radios received:

Pakistan

Feba staff recently journeyed to flood-affected Kashmir and to Charsadda, near Peshawar, distributing radios 'In three areas of Kashmir we were the first radio people to visit them and provide them with information, like where to get food, tents, medicines and tools to clear the mud,' says a Feba staff member. 'We took 200 radio sets to Charsadda as the people living in the tents and other shelter places did not have any source of receiving information from the media. By the help of a local church I managed to get into the main areas where people were badly affected.'

Vietnam

‘I am a college student. I have received a radio, and want to say ‘thank you’. I promise that I will listen to your broadcasts regularly, in order to build up my faith. I pray that more people will hear God’s Word because of you. Please pray for my family, who is currently opposing my faith in God.’

Minority group in Southeast Asia

A leader carried 40 radios into this area and then contacted us, ‘They wrote letters to say they are very happy to get the radios but there were not enough. In the future they hope we will send more than one hundred or two hundred to them.’

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