Irina, in FEBC's studio, preparing Buryatia broadcasts
Russia (MNN) ― May 1, 2008 will mark the first Christian broadcast into the Buryat Republic of Russia. It's an area just north of Mongolia, occupied by a people who practice a combination of Buddhist and shamanist faiths and Russian secularism.
Far East Broadcasting Company's Victor Akhterov says, "The young people are trying to be irreligious. Yet, somehow this strange mix of two religions and atheism is where people are. So people are hopeless, and people do not have the light of the Gospel."
Close to one million people live in this mountainous region of Russia, but less than 1% are evangelical Christians. One young woman named Irina watched the dramatic change in her parents' lives after they became believers, before becoming one herself.
Shortly after she became a believer, Irina met an American Christian serving in Buryatia. The two women began prayerfully looking for a way to reach the Buryatians for Jesus, and radio seemed like the perfect medium.
Now, she's a radio missionary to her own people. Irina began working with FEBC-Russia nine months ago, recording broadcasts that will air in the capital of Buryat, Ulan-Ude.
"I understand Buryat teens," she explained, "and I know their future can only be hopeful if they place their faith in Christ. If I connect with them through radio, I'll be able to touch them with the love of Jesus where it hurts. It is so tormenting to be young and have no hope or purpose. I want to show them the freedom they can have in Christ."
Akhterov explains that while things are moving forward at an encouraging pace, "It is a huge challenge for us to make sure that the Buryat programs reflect not only the culture of Buryatia, but also the vibrancy of Christian life. This is where challenge number one is. Of course, we do not have any big sponsors who are helping us with the broadcast of those programs."
FEBC is producing programs that will influence an entire generation of Buryats. The programs will be disseminated through the radio, the Internet, and on CD.
