This is the Truth Network. What happens when someone hears the word of God for the very first time? What happens when someone hears the word of God? For like the thousandth time, is that even a word? Where they've heard it, but Wow, every time it's fresh, every time it's real, it's impactful.
What happens when a Muslim? Here's the Bible for the first time. These scenarios are happening in a Bunch of other multiples of these scenarios are happening all across Africa. with our friends. trans ruler radio Because Africa needs Jesus.
I'm with John Somerville at the Truth Network World Headquarters. He's actually here in Winston-Salem today. A lot of times I'm in Cary with you, John. But is it good is it good to be in Winston-Salem and What a great deal to actually be able to talk to each other face to face instead of by phone, huh? It's great.
You know, anytime you're in Carolina, there's nothing could be finer. That's right. The only thing could be better is we had a basketball, a rim. And a couple opponents, right? Absolutely.
And then it wouldn't go well for them. But speaking of basketball, one of my buddies is a basketball missionary is kind of coasting with me, Doug Elks. Doug, you just met John for the first time.
Well, you may have met him before, but you guys really connected deeper over lunch. at Campbell City BBQ Factory, a cool place here in Winston-Salem. But but you heard about something that was kind of new. Kinda how did it all hit you initially? And then I and we're gonna talk to him a little bit uh and and really bless our listeners with what's going on.
Yeah, well, first of all, I'm just extremely encouraged by John's life and just his obedience. I think when someone makes himself available and obedient to what God wants to do in and through them, pretty powerful things can happen. And it's so cool just to see what their organization is doing to take the message of the gospel all over the world into the most unique places that need to know the truth. And so I'm just deeply encouraged, and I can't wait to continue to see how God uses them in a powerful way in this hour to reach people. John, a lot of folks listen to you and me, and they listen to the Truth Network on the radio.
But there are people in the world Where there are radio stations that transmit radio, God's blessed you all with these great signals, but they don't have a radio. To listen, so they can't hear the good news of Christ coming out. That's a very real situation, isn't it?
Well, I like to think about it, you know. Uh think about it this way. We have radio stations all over Africa as well as around the world. But think about it this way. If you have a great quarterback and he drops back in the pocket and he throws a beautiful throw into the end zone.
But there's nobody there to catch it. You got to have a receiver. And that's what we're all about today. We are putting receivers into people's hands, radios that they can tune in the gospel and hear the good news of Jesus.
So, John, hand that little unit right there to Doug. It will take a picture of the three of us holding it. Doug, what is going on here, buddy? You're looking at that like, what is this cool whiz-bang device? Yeah, I mean, it's truly incredible.
I'm holding it in my hand, and it sits in the palm of my hand, this radio device, and it's got a flashlight on it, an antenna, and it looks like it's pretty easy to use.
So it's just exciting what God is doing in this time where he's allowing different methods of communication to reach people and different devices to get the gospel across. And I think, you know, it's making me think of Romans 10, where it talks about, you know, all who call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. But for them to call upon the name of the Lord, they must believe in him. And for them to believe, someone must preach the gospel. And for someone to preach, they must be sent.
And so it's just cool to see the chain of the message going forth through even a device like this. What comes to your mind by way of a question for John, Doug, that you would ask maybe on behalf of listeners and even on behalf of your generation about the importance of this and the relevance of this? Yeah, I would honestly just love to know more of the process behind how you guys get these radios into the hands of people. And we know the effectiveness of getting the gospel to them. But what is that process actually like to get them the device so they can hear the truth of the gospel?
Well, that's a great question.
So, first off, let me tell you about the radio. The radio itself has both solar power and a wind-up device. And the reason we do that is because so many people would not have electricity or they may not be able to afford electricity.
So, a wind-up or a solar-powered radio, or one like this one, which has both wind-up and solar power. Is a perfect solution. And so, what we do is the funding that, if you make a donation today, a $50 donation to put one of these radios into someone's hands, it goes into the way I like to think of it as a pot. Our national partners in the different African countries, and we work with about 15 different African countries there, pull the money out of the pot and make the order and then deliver it.
So, our Kerry, North Carolina headquarters, is, with the exception of the funding going into the pot, is not considered a middleman.
So, we can save money that way and make it even more efficient.
So, what we do. is we send out someone from our TWR staff. And we send them out to a village, and we ask the different pastors in the churches if there are churches in that village. Who in your church doesn't have a radio? And the pastor then will say, well, this person, this person, this person, and then with the different churches, we will come back another day and we will have a radio event.
where we gather all these people together, And We show them how to use the radio, how to tune in trans world radio, and all the things, but also we make them sign a contract. A contract that says they will listen to the radio, they will take care of the radio, they won't sell the radio. If TWR goes off the air, They're gonna let us know so that we can send an engineer out there and get the station working again. And so, all of that is wrapped into your $50 gift. And these radios mean so much to someone.
And the reason I say that is because. These radios cost about a month to a month and a half's worth of wages for someone. And so when you put it in their hands, this is a precious gift. You're giving them more than just a radio. You are giving them hope.
You are giving them the gospel. You are giving them access to hear God's word each and every day. Mm-hmm. Like a lot of these people are In areas of the world where they're persecuted for their faith. Nigeria, the president just put Nigeria under like a Seriously.
kind of domain of Well, you know, we're on you, we're watching you because they're literally shedding the blood of Christians, specifically Islamic attacks on Christians.
So, when you hear about this, the word of God, there's radio, trans radio has radio stations that blast over these areas. You know, 300 million plus people in a Nigeria. But they don't have receivers. How does that hit your heart? They need receivers, man.
And even just when you break it down and get to hear the process of it, it's exciting that for just $50 a day or $50 per unit, people can actually hear the truth of the gospel. I think about, you know, what was the price that God was willing to pay for our souls? And it wasn't with gold or silver, it was the precious blood of Jesus. And it's just exciting to know that there are men and women that are fighting this fight and partnering up with this incredible organization so that people can really hear the truth that will set them free, the truth that will save their soul, and ultimately get to know their Lord and Savior in a real personal way through these incredible devices. I know you've got a follow-up question, Doug, before you go with that.
I want to ask you, John, real quick. Kind of the Elephant in the room question. What's the number? How can people call right now, wherever they're listening, whatever vehicle? You know, this is kind of a give back we do on Truth Talk because we're on a lot of Christian radio stations that believe in what we do, but they put us on there.
Because they want more people to hear the word of God and more people to be touched. And so, a lot of Christian stations are sacrificing a lot to put Christian radio on. You're holding a sheet with a number, I guess they can call it this number. Triple eight. 988.
5656. Triple 8. Triple 8-988-5656. You'll talk to some great people there. You can make a gift.
Maybe you like to do one radio at $50. Maybe you could do two, maybe you could do five, maybe you could do 10 or 20. You know, when we give out radios at these radio events, we give anywhere between 20 and 40 radios at a radio event. Maybe you'd like to sponsor a whole radio event and do 40 radios. We would love to have you do something like that.
That's just simply a $2,000 gift right there. And pick up the phone, give us a call. We'd love to hear from you or go online. TruthNetwork.com, click on that banner that says Africa Needs Jesus. Stu Everson with Doug Elks talking to John Somerville Transvoral Radio.
John, you put that. Cool, wind up, solar powered radio, fifty dollars, gets this to someone, everything included, gets it to someone. You handed it to us, you saw our reaction. Of course, we're guys that can turn on the Truth Network and other Christian stations that we're driving. Tell us a story of when you put that in the hand of someone else and what it meant to them in Africa.
Can you give us a tangible testimony of that so our listeners will really see the power and the heart of this thing?
Well, I've traveled to Malawi a couple different times. I've had the opportunity to be able to literally hand out these radios, and it's amazing the reaction you get.
Sometimes there are people who are. Just well up their eyes with tears. Others sang and dance. But let me share with you how they receive the radio. And that is.
Just like you and I, we look at each other when we're talking and we look at each other in the eye. They won't look at me in the eye. I mean, it's very humbling when they won't look at you. They look down into the ground very humbly. They hold out one hand with their palm up.
and with the other hand they put it on their forearm. And then, as you put that radio into their hand, They clasp it to their chest. This is a precious gift you're giving them. You are giving them something that they would not be able to afford any other way. You are giving them the gospel, and that is one of the most precious gifts you could ever give.
Wow, look at these words. Actual quotes from people who've gotten these radios. One guy said, if I were a rich man, I'd pass out radios to everyone so they could also listen to the words of my God who I found on TWR. Another person said, a radio in my hands is like a bucket of water, fresh from the neighborhood well. It refreshes my spirit every time I listen.
One lady said, they asked why she was crying. She said she never imagined she'd be able to have a radio where she could hear a guy's word. Doug, I know you got another question for John and all this. Yeah, John, I'm just curious: where's the best way for people to follow along with TWR so they can be engaged with not only just what's happening today, but even moving forward as you guys continue to walk in the fullness of what God's called you all to do?
Well, TWR.org is our website. And what I encourage you, if you're going to make a gift, to go on to truthnetwork.com and click on the banner Africa Needs Jesus, because you won't find the radio project on our twr.org site. That is geared more for people who are learning about the ministry in a way that they just want to explore. They want to find out what God is doing through this ministry. And oftentimes, we have people who are seeking out opportunities to serve.
And so there are many opportunities on our website there where, you know, maybe, you know, God has given you a skill and you're thinking, wow. I had never thought about, you know, serving as a missionary in this way. And whether you're an accountant, a computer geek, you know, engineer, all kinds of different things that we've got: videography, photography, writers, we need them all. And maybe God has gifted you with that. Go to twr.org and you can do that.
But if you want to give one of these radios, right now is a great time to go to truthnetwork.com and click on that banner that says Africa Needs Jesus. Because Africa needs Jesus and Africa needs you. And the pictures I've seen amazing, the videos, the stories, the testimonies of actually people like in these villages, some are remote villages.
So this is bringing the world.
Some of them may not even have cell phones, but they can get one of these little radios. Thanks to John and his team, thanks to your gifts, everyone listening out there. They can get a radio, they can listen to God's word being taught. You hear these great teaching programs, all the wonderful affiliates that carry Truth Talk Live and Truth Talk, you know, you're hearing Bible teaching, you're hearing great messages by godly men. These people are hearing this for the first time in their own language.
And they're calling their neighbors, and they're calling the Muslim merchant guy that sells to them, asked me in town, in the village. They come in here, and these people are hearing the word of God, and they're all huddled around one radio. It could be 20 or 30 people, right, John? Yeah, you're absolutely right about that. One of the guys we met when we were in Malawi was Mr.
TWR. The reason he was called Mr. TWR is because, just like your saints do, he always invites people into his home to listen to TWR. And when we were going out there for the radio event, the people there in his village lined up three hours early to get their radios.
Now, Nothing happens three hours early in Africa.
Okay. Africa, they don't go by a clock. They go by an event. And they were not going to miss the opportunity to get their own radio. Wow.
So they were there three hours early waiting for us to arrive in their village. That's strong.
Well, thank you. You're listening right now because radio has touched you. Here's a way to touch someone else with a radio that doesn't have one that will be a blessing. Doug Elks, you go all over the world playing basketball, running marathons, Jerusalem, wherever, sharing the gospel. We've been side to side.
We just left a game where three guys received Christ through your testimony. Doug, your challenge to listeners out there. To get involved in this and how important it is, and how this touches your heart as we get out of here. Yeah, the time is now. We must come together, all of us that have trusted in Jesus, and use everything we have, our time, talents, and treasures for his glory, because I believe God is moving in powerful ways.
We're seeing it. All over the world, he's just being so gracious to us, pouring out his spirit. And so now is the time for us to come into this end times and fight the good fight and tell people the truth. It's exciting. Amen.
Talking about spreading seed, I mean, spreading the seed of the word of God, you know, like Matthew 13, you can be a part of that. Here's the, I'm gonna give the toll-free number one more time. It's 888-988-5656. If you'd like to leave a message or talk to someone, they've got a great team at Transworld Radio. They're a certified 50163 foundation.
They depend on love gifts and gracious gifts of people that listen, and specifically $50 sends one radio. $500 will send $10, and my math skills don't go up beyond that. But if God's giving it to you, He wants to give it through you. And you're giving away to heaven. And who knows who will come up to you in heaven?
They don't look like you, talk like you, act like you, but they give you a hug and they say thank you because I heard the gospel and got saved from a radio that you gave me, that you gave money. You were listening to some station driving down the road in your big rig, and you gave 50 bucks, and I'm here in heaven because of that. That's real, and we want you to be a part of that. There's also a link at Truth Network. Dot com.
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