Written by: TWR
Article source: JOY! Magazine
In the little village of Meapleu, teaching about a new religion draws fierce resistance. “Any evangelism group visiting is chased away with stones,” explains missionary pastor Philippe Makaye, the Dan region manager for the Facility Foundation Côte d’Ivoire, a TWR partner. However, radio evangelism penetrates homes using the airwaves, reaching even the most resistant individuals. According to Makaye’s email, this approach has led entire families to embrace Christianity and transformed the community.
The Dan people of Côte d’Ivoire
The Dan people, numbering nearly 2 million, predominantly reside in Côte d’Ivoire, with smaller populations in Liberia and Guinea. In Côte d’Ivoire, one-third identify as Christians, with about 15% being evangelical believers. These figures are lower in the neighbouring countries. Despite this, the majority still adhere to their ethnic religions.
Change through airwaves
Meapleu is part of a string of villages in the 18-mountains region of western Côte ’Ivoire, a region where fear-based religious beliefs have predominated. The Dan people remain, but since 2018, their beliefs and lifestyles have started to change (when TWR began broadcasting in some of the villages).
“Among the first villages to hear the Good News was Bampleu, not far from the border with Liberia. Before the Gospel broadcasts began to be heard, insecurity and fear were common among the 475 inhabitants,” Makaye said. “Thefts were frequent in the village, to the point where the population, or at least some of them, were losing sleep,” he said.
Local churches and radio ministry
Despite the existing Christian presence, local churches were led by untrained pastors with limited biblical knowledge. The introduction of TWR’s broadcasts became a vital resource for these leaders and followers. “Everyone listened,” says Makaye. In the village’s central meeting area, equipped with a radio and loudspeakers, residents gathered to hear broadcasts in the Dan language, aired every Sunday and Thursday morning, with evening rebroadcasts.
Evangelistic impact
“The 15-minute evangelistic messages are based on biblical passages and make listeners aware of their need to be reconciled to God”, Makaye said. Each message ends with a call to conversion. When the programme starts, everyone knows that God is speaking to the village,” he said. “During his team’s last visit to the village, the entire population turned out. They welcomed us with shouts and applause.”
Transformation testimonies
Village Chief Kpan René, a regular listener, told his visitors the village was being transformed. “The fear of God has taken hold of many in the village and the behaviour of young people and adults is changing,” he said. “Today, it is difficult to find cases of theft in their village.” Villagers say Bampleu is calmer and more peaceful than in the past, and they attribute the change to the impact of the Word of God. People in nearby villages are attracted by what they see. “The whole village has come to know the person of Christ, His mission, and His sacrifice,” Makaye said.
Masquerade rituals
Meanwhile, in Meapleu, the villagers are devoted to masks. Danite masks embody spirits from the forest and are worn during masquerade rituals. The spirits may be either peaceful or warlike, but are mysterious and unpredictable. The traditional belief of the Dan people also includes reincarnation. It was this backdrop that made the people of Meapleu resistant to the Gospel.
Reports from the region are similarly encouraging:
• Seven members of one family were listening to a teaching on repentance on their radio. All seven decided to follow Jesus.
• Bin-houye Radio, named for the town in which it is located, is followed by more than 120 listening groups, including some with as many as 200 members.
• Another 32 listening groups have formed in Liberia.
• The station has around 50 000 regular listeners.
• In the village of Wheleu, a family of five came to faith in Christ.
A call for support
Makaye is advocating for more radios to be distributed to enhance the reach of their programmes. He highlights the urgent need for further support to advance their mission. “Radio programmes help pastors to move forward more quickly in winning lost souls,” he said. “We estimate that with at least 2000 radios, we can help villagers in neighbouring villages to hear the Word of God.”
This article is featured in the Feb/March issue of JOY! Magazine, which is now on sale nationwide! Pick up your copy from any leading supermarket, or read a digital version of this issue here: joygifts.co.za/product/joy-magazine-feb-march-issue-2025/
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Date published: 15/02/2025
Feature image: Image for illustrative purposes only.
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