May 26 – Words of Hope
A lot of soldiers came back to the United States after having spent time in Asia concerned for the souls of the people they had left behind. Even before the war, two men – John Broger and Bob Bowman felt called to begin a radio ministry in Asia that would reach millions of people. The war stopped their plans, but when it was over, they began the process again. With one other man, they combined their resources - $1000 and John was back in China attempting to gain a broadcasting license.
The Chinese nationalists weren’t helpful at all. If they offered a Christian broadcasting license, they would have to also allow the Communists to broadcast, so they refused him outright. Without knowing what to do next, they continued to prepare and plan. Two days after the Philippines declared independence, John Broger was on the island to secure a radio broadcast license.
They faced many problems getting things set up due to the destruction that had occurred from the war. Infrastructures were ripped apart, power lines were down and it seemed nearly impossible to meet the deadline that the government had given them to get on the air and prove they could use the license.
On June 4, 1948, their deadline loomed. If they didn’t broadcast at 8 pm, they would lose their license. The team made it to the station, the engineer flipped a switch, they sang “All Hail the Power of Jesus’ Name” and they were on the air. Two hours later the transmitter broke down, but they had met the deadline and were set to go.
The next year they were able to begin broadcasting into China with an immense signal made possible by transmitters from the United States Office of War Information. The message of hope through Jesus Christ flooded the airwaves of China.
The Far East Broadcasting Company exists today, broadcasting the message of the Gospel on 41 AM and FM stations, throughout Asia, Southeast Asia, Russia, Africa and the Middle East as well as in 149 languages on Shortwave Radio.
A lot of soldiers came back to the United States after having spent time in Asia concerned for the souls of the people they had left behind. Even before the war, two men – John Broger and Bob Bowman felt called to begin a radio ministry in Asia that would reach millions of people. The war stopped their plans, but when it was over, they began the process again. With one other man, they combined their resources - $1000 and John was back in China attempting to gain a broadcasting license.
The Chinese nationalists weren’t helpful at all. If they offered a Christian broadcasting license, they would have to also allow the Communists to broadcast, so they refused him outright. Without knowing what to do next, they continued to prepare and plan. Two days after the Philippines declared independence, John Broger was on the island to secure a radio broadcast license.
They faced many problems getting things set up due to the destruction that had occurred from the war. Infrastructures were ripped apart, power lines were down and it seemed nearly impossible to meet the deadline that the government had given them to get on the air and prove they could use the license.
On June 4, 1948, their deadline loomed. If they didn’t broadcast at 8 pm, they would lose their license. The team made it to the station, the engineer flipped a switch, they sang “All Hail the Power of Jesus’ Name” and they were on the air. Two hours later the transmitter broke down, but they had met the deadline and were set to go.
The next year they were able to begin broadcasting into China with an immense signal made possible by transmitters from the United States Office of War Information. The message of hope through Jesus Christ flooded the airwaves of China.
The Far East Broadcasting Company exists today, broadcasting the message of the Gospel on 41 AM and FM stations, throughout Asia, Southeast Asia, Russia, Africa and the Middle East as well as in 149 languages on Shortwave Radio.
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