Media Ministries

Overcoming the horrific conditions existing in eastern Congo is an almost unimaginable task. Widespread and ongoing pillaging, looting, rape and conflicts - both ethic and territorial - have resulted in the displacement of large populations and the disruption of channels for the delivery of humanitarian assistance. Light of Africa Network is attempting render aid by addressing deep rooted prejudices, attitudes, and ideologies that lead to destructive behaviors. Radio and possibly future television programs, along with literature and public forums, are being used to communicate a message of peace and reconciliation, and to draw attention to healthcare and other humanitarian issues.

The goal is to contribute to a spiritual renewal in eastern Congo and to offer alternatives to the deplorable conditions people face. As a Christian non-profit organization, LoAN advocates the transformational power of the scriptures and is committed to applying biblical principles in the challenging task of shaping and influencing beliefs and attitudes. This is part and parcel of a holistic approach, drawing a message of peace, hope and reconciliation from the Word of God.

In contributing to a radio ministry of spiritual and educational programming, LoAN is not seeking to establish for itself a network of radio stations but to utilize existing radio stations and to facilitate the development of new stations for the broadcasting of programming LoAN develops or translates from other languages. The goal is to put together an ongoing ministry of radio programming in local and regional languages, as well as to be a clearing house for programming developed elsewhere. A network is being developed for disseminating this programming in the Congo and across the continent of Africa. Already a Christian Media Resource Center has been established to assist in program development (see below). The role members of the LoAN team have taken is that of working with other non-government organizations, including churches, to assist them in co-producing media materials for broadcast, then distributing those materials to appropriate media outlets. With more and more radio stations, mostly in eastern Congo, but also nationwide, willing to broadcast programming developed by LoAN, the potential to reach large listening audiences is great.

Cultivating a Network of Radio Stations

LoAN's effort to network with existing organizations in the region has born much fruit since field coordinators Camille and Esther Ntoto arrived in September of 2005.

LoAN's Radio programs are now aired on four radio stations in Goma (a city of 500,000 people, plus thousands of displaced people from surrounding areas). The stations in Goma are Radio Sauti ya Injilli, Radio la Colombe, Radio des Grands Lacs, and, more recently, Radio Liberte.

Three radio stations in Bukavu (pop. 245,000, with an additional 245,000 people in surrounding areas) have agreed to air LoAN's programs: Radio Kahuzi, Radio Sauti ya Rhema, and Radio Neno la Uzima.

One radio station, Congo One, in Kahina, is now airing LoAN's programs, using a new mp3 player provided by LoAN.

Two radio stations in the vibrant commercial center of Butembo, Radio Evangelique de Butembo, and Radio Graben have received our programs and have inserted them in their broadcasting schedule.

Two additional radio stations, in western Congo, Radio Television Sango Malamu, one of the most followed radio stations in the country (in Kinshasa, with a population of nine million); and Radio Parole Eternelle, have received our programs and are airing them.

Already, LoAN has been at work advancing God's Kingdom. The following achievements can be noted:

1.) Radio Sauti ya Injili (Radio Voice of the Gospel)

In February 2005, LoAN provided and helped set up professional broadcasting equipment for a local non-profit organization called Radio Sauti ya Injili (RSI). RSI as an organization was created in 1958 in the province of North Kivu. It started as a recording studio. Programs that were recorded at the facility were then broadcast on local government radio stations as well as other local and foreign radio stations.

The station has struggled through difficult times, often not able to broadcast. The equipment LoAN donated to RSI allowed RSI to get a new start, with direct communication to their targeted audience. The equipment included a 250 watts transmitter, an on-air console, plus other necessary equipment, like CD and a cassette tape players, microphones, necessary cables, blank tapes, and CDs.

RSI's broadcasting schedule comprises programming on biblical messages, health related issues, development and education. RSI is on the air 13 hours, 7 days a week. RSI has a staff of twelve people working full-time, and thirteen part-time female talk show hosts. RSI's diverse listening audience floods the administrative offices with letters of encouragement, testimonies of changed lives, spiritual edification, and socio-economic improvement as a result of the programming.

2.) Experiencing God

LoAN sponsored the translation, recording, editing, mixing and distribution of the “Experiencing God” series from Henry Blackabby's inspirational book on knowing and doing the will of God. The program has been in high demand by radio stations and has been aired on the network of radio stations LoAN is presently building. Because of the demand for this kind of quality programming, radio stations broadcast it free of charge.

The "Experiencing God" series has become one of the most listened to broadcasts. Listeners to these cooperating radio stations send stories of the impact the program is having on their lives and are now asking for tapes and CDs to own.

3.) Awareness Messages

LoAN has produced audio spots on a variety of topics. These short messages were intended to raise awareness on important issues. So far the spots have included a two minute audio, plus a video message, against sexual violence. The message was broadcasted on all local radio and televisions stations in eastern Congo. Another spot was on children and their treatment in society. Recently, a coalition of NGOs (Non-Government Organizations) and civic organizations launched a campaign against violence committed against children accused of sorcery (witchcraft). Several awareness spots were conceived to stop the abuse, exploitation, and ill-treatment of children in Congo society.

4.) Mini Bible College Series

This series of Bible teachings by International Cooperating Ministries is a study of the Bible in Swahili, the local lingua franca, from beginning to end. Each book of the Bible is presented, studying the book's outline and, most importantly, applications for the lessons relevant to contemporary settings. The goal is to provide a snapshot image of each book and an understanding of how all the books of the Bible fit together, which allows the listener to place the Bible in the context of the history of the relationship between God and humankind.

LoAN is presently distributing the program through its network of radio stations.

The Christian Media Resource Center (CMRC)

Light of Africa Network has developed a Christian Media Resource Center in the city of Goma aimed at facilitating the conception, production, and dissemination of quality media materials. Also known as “Hope Media,” the center is dedicated to gathering, cataloging, and making accessible resources and media hardware to Christian leaders, churches and other organizations committed to addressing the challenges facing the populations in Eastern Congo and beyond. CMRC is already operating, with workstations that have viewing, listening, recording, editing, mixing, mastering and duplicating equipment.

Many of the horrendous conditions present in Eastern Congo today stem from the 1994 genocide in nearby Rwanda, when 800,000 people were wantonly slaughtered, and refugees fled to the Goma area in Congo during a hellish three-month period. “Hate media” played a key role in that appalling time, helping to fuel the murderous fervor that gripped the country. With “Hope Media,” we seek to turn the use of media around by offering a message of love, peace and reconciliation.

In the wake of the conflict that spilled over and persisted in eastern Congo, churches have remained among the few civic organizations still functioning, and the only institutions of any size other than the state. Given the right tools and vehicle, these churches can augment their influence in positively benefiting society. Hope Media is seeking to fill the gap, making accessible to local people the technology, library materials, and recording environment needed to produce quality media materials. In doing so, the media center gives an amplified voice to God's people who are seeking to offer curative and restorative responses to existing spiritual and social conditions.

The media center will be used to prepare programming for local broadcasting. Some of this will entail the translation and editing needed to get materials developed elsewhere ready for local audiences. However, there is tremendous potential for local program development, utilizing the skills, practical insights and experiences of local people. With the assistance of the media center's technicians, African ministers of the gospel are able to broadcast messages of forgiveness through Christ; church choir groups (popular in the Congo) are able to record and broadcast anthems of love and peace; and local humanitarian organizations have the resources available to put together programs addressing health and social welfare concerns.

Computer Training Center

With donations and the assistance of big-hearted American volunteer George Marwick, along with help from his friends, a computer training lab was opened in conjunction with the Christian Media Resource Center in the fall of 2006. Eight laptop computers were installed and a number of crash courses in computer literacy were offered, mostly to people who had never had the opportunity to use a computer before.

With computer manufacturers now offering inexpensive computers, and with computer use expected to rise dramatically for people in third-world countries, Light of Africa Network is seeking to take advantage of this opportunity to make available this technology and the needed skills to people who can use it to positively benefit African societies.

Eager-to-learn technicians are being taught how to use computers to make quality, onsite recordings and how to edit materials in preparation for radio broadcast, using programs like Cool Edit Pro. Church ministers are being taught how a computer can be used to facilitate biblical research using the vast library of materials now available on computer disks. The potential in this field is great. This is not just another internet café, but it is a center for serious research as well as the editing and production of media materials. Pastors preparing their Sunday sermons are invited to use the center, as are people involved in preparing materials for broadcast on participating stations.

Help needed to start new radio stations or support existing Christian Radio Stations.

In many areas Radio is the only connection people have with the outside world. However, many Christian radio stations operate under very difficult circumstances. Financially they are generally strapped for funds; professionally, personnel often lack adequate training and material with which to work; and spiritually, both staff members and listeners face faith-testing difficulties living in a war zone. There is a great need for sponsorship of particular radio stations. Be in touch with LoAN if you would like to help in this regard.

For the latest developments, check out the Updates page, where newsletters and reports of current projects are posted. More photos are also available on the Photos page. Also, take this opportunity to get involved in this exciting ministry in central Africa by checking out how you can help.