Written by: Eva Pretorious
Article source: JOY! Magazine
FEBA wants to establish a network of radio stations across Saharan Africa, which will be the dividing line between Christian Africa in the South and Muslim Africa in the North.
Just imagine: Your child is kidnapped and recruited for a terrorist group. Or, you are a newlywed woman and your husband tells you that he is joining the military to fight a rebel group and you will not hear from him for months on end. These sound like a scenes out of a Hollywood movie, but for many in Mali, this is a reality.
While world leaders are embroiled in a massive power struggle, millions of men, women, and children long for nothing more but peace. Far in the north of Africa, deep in the Arab region, lies Mali – a land where people live in fear and are oppressed. All they want is to live in a safe environment where they can take care of their families and love one another.
Jesus has authority to deliver, to heal, and to reconcile
Jesus came to proclaim the Kingdom of God to the rich, the poor, to criminals, as well as to religious leaders. The authority with which He addressed crowds changed mindsets. It is an authority that has the power to release those in bondage and heal the sick. Jesus came to reconcile the fathers to their children, and children to their fathers.
Will you help spread the Good News?
If there is a way to spread this Good News to people in isolated areas would you, the reader, take up the calling and help spread the Word of God? While you are pondering that, let me share a story about a woman in such an area, Mali, who cried out to Jesus. She would never have known Him if she had not heard about Him on one of our radios.
FEBA’s vision is to establish a network of evangelical radio stations across Saharan Africa.
Kanja’s story
Kanja, a resident of Manantali in Mali, cried out to Jesus in desperation after not hearing from her son for many years after he had left home. Kanja feared that her son’s life was in danger when she heard that people from the western parts of Africa were being persecuted, murdered, or tortured in Algeria. Some of them were being deported back to their homelands. Many buses arrived in Mali full of young people who were deported by the Algerian authorities. Kanja was so worried that she could no longer sleep or eat.
Eventually, she learnt that her son, Mahan, had ended up in Libya – like thousands of other immigrants on their way to Europe. In this war-torn country, people are often forced to join militant groups. With the news of her son’s fate, she felt that she no longer wanted to live.
It is part of the culture in Mali to visit a marabout (a holy Muslim man) or fortune teller for guidance – Kanja considered that. Then she remembered what she had heard on the radio – about someone called Jesus. “If Yesu (Jesus) is really the true God, He must bring my son back from wherever he is in the world, so that I can see him again before I die,” she said. Amazingly, three days later her son arrived at their home. Kanja was overwhelmed with emotion, she couldn’t believe what had happened. Kanja and her entire family have since converted and become Christians.
FEBA is progressing well in Mali
Our radio station in Mali – KanuYah FM – is progressing well. Our team has already established a few listeners clubs in the area and will equip a follow-up ministry team to help listeners with their spiritual development.
Strategic country
We consider Mali as a strategic country for broadcasting the Gospel. The country is recognised as a breeding ground for radical and violent Islamic movements. KanuYah FM is the very first station we planted in North Africa, followed by our new station in Chad that we established in December 2019.
The establishment of these stations is part of our vision to establish a network of evangelical radio stations across Saharan Africa. This will be the dividing line between Christian Africa in the South and Muslim Africa in the North.
Help to proclaim the Gospel in more than 50 countries
The Lord has been using FEBC / FEBA’s radio and media ministry for more than 75 years to preach the Gospel to the world. By empowering local, ethnic broadcasters in over 50 countries and in 135 languages, everyone can understand the broadcasts. It is difficult to bring a radio broadcast to a remote, poor village in a distant land, but through our organisation it is possible. If one radio can bring an entire village to Jesus, just think what your contribution can do if more radios can be distributed.
For more information about our ministry, please visit our website www.febaradio.co.za or contact us on 012 335 5708.
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Date published: 10/06/2020
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