Liberia (MNN) ― Though rebels destroyed the ELWA Radio Station in Liberia's civil war, the Gospel wasn't silenced.
The station eventually found its way back on the air. Their determination to reach the community with the hope of Christ stems from their purpose: to air the Gospel across the country and West Africa.
Dee Walker with HCJB Global Voice says the station has gradually pieced the ministry back together. ELWA most recently went back on the air in 1997 with a small FM transmitter. In 2000, HCJB Global Voice provided a low-power shortwave transmitter, again enabling the station to cover the entire region.
Today, HCJB Global Voice is partnering with ELWA because "much of their equipment was outdated. We committed to provide for them some training and some equipment. Right now, pieces of the equipment are on their way to ELWA, and we were able to buy some computers. What we are trying to help ELWA to do is to maximize their already-existing ability, so we're moving them from analog to digital."
Through spoken word, drama and music, the ELWA team hopes to rekindle hope and help to mend broken and shattered lives by means of radio through Christian programming.
Right now, the station airs eight hours of English broadcast per day and 1 1/2 hours of Liberian Language broadcast in Grebo, Kru, Gola, Bassa, Kpelle, Kissi, Dan, Krahn and Loma. It is supported almost entirely by local funds.
Walker says their team is training the ELWA group to help them better share the hope of Christ. The team held sessions on broadcast production, script writing, and management. Other training includes the engineering side of the station.
The growth of the ministry brings with it many challenges. Walker asks that people will "pray for our team. Our team is growing, and there is need for infrastructure and development, but we are very cautious. Just pray that God would keep us healthy and keep the team together. Pray that the governments would be able to keep security in place so that those of us who are traveling to those places will feel safe."
