Written by: TWR
Article source: JOY! Magazine
First reports on the novel Covid-19 virus started late 2019 when the outbreak in Wuhan, China, became public knowledge. The rest is history; travel restrictions, lockdowns, economic havoc, and worst of all, the loss of millions of lives.
How does one respond to such an unprecedented threat?
TWR (Trans World Radio), a world-wide Christian media organisation broadcasting in more than 275 languages globally, was ideally placed to inform and educate people around the world about prevention and protection measures against the virus, while simultaneously bringing hope and healing to a world in turmoil through messages from God’s Word.
At the time, TWR President Lauren Libby said, “The COVID-19 crisis is a terrible catastrophe affecting the entire world. But it’s also an opportunity for people to discover the God who gives comfort, assurance, and salvation in times of distress. Now is the time to dispel the darkness and bring the light of God’s truth to a suffering world.”
TWR Covid-19 Programmes
Early 2020, even before the virus was declared a pandemic, a 26-minute special Covid-19 programme was produced by TWR presenter Andy Napier. The programme featured a Christian medical doctor as guest, who informed listeners about the characteristics of the virus and best practices on how to avoid contamination, while Andy offered hope and reassurance from the Word of God. This was recently followed up with another special programme, called Season of Hope.
During the ensuing lockdowns world-wide, TWR produced a programme called Stay Connected, hosted by two TWR presenters from different continents, sharing the importance of connecting with others while living in isolation, for mental well-being.
The TWR global family continues to produce hope-filled content amid the COVID-19 pandemic. This includes one-minute radio spots from various TWR presenters. In Africa alone, by June 2020, 18 of these spots and programmes were aired on 36 outlets in 19 countries from TWR’s own platforms and FM stations in the region.
Global TWR Covid-19 Free Resources
Currently, TWR provides a dedicated Coronavirus page on our website (twr.org/coronavirus), with information and content available to the public.
With the help of ministry partners, our online media library, TWR360.org, has created two Coronavirus pages: “From Despair to Hope – Coronavirus & COVID-19” (available only in English) and “COVID-19 From Turmoil to Hope” (available in 30 languages). Both pages offer relevant programming to help visitors find comfort and encouragement during the pandemic.
Also specific to current circumstances is the “Guidance in Crisis” topic collection (twr360.org/topics), that provides audio and video messages that address timely and relevant topics such as death, fear, grief, stress, and other issues people are struggling with in this crisis.
And last, but most importantly, TWR has created a Media Outlet Resource Page for Coronavirus Content. The content is FREE and available for any outlet inside and outside TWR to access and use. New content is added weekly. Any person or media organisation interested to gain access to this FREE TWR content, can register at twr.org/covid-19-media. Content and scripts are available in English, French, Portuguese, Spanish, Swahili, and Zulu.
We give thanks to God for sustaining the TWR ministry and even allowing us to expand with Covid-19 related content. Pray that TWR can continue to be a blessing to a world in distress during this difficult time.
Listener Responses
“Thank you for the message of Good News. Our prayer is that God will see us through these times of Noah. We shall overcome, let us have faith in God. Thank you for offering to pray. We need God’s protection for good health and for God to give us peace in all conditions we are facing in the world today. Above all, pray for us to know God deeply.” – G, Kenya
“Thank you, TWR. You are such an encouragement to us in disturbing times, always pointing us to the only real source of encouragement—Jesus Christ Himself. May He bless you all at this time, for continuing to help, encourage and pray for your listeners. Thank you!” – B, South Africa
Covid-19 Programme Impact in Uganda
Recently distributed on audio players in Uganda, Covid-19 programming was met with great appreciation. The pastor distributing the devices received calls from five families from different religions in one day, requesting audio devices containing the programme. One family told him, “Now we see your God!”
The pastor downloaded the programme and gave it to a local FM station, from which it was aired the following day. The moderator translated the message into Luganda, one of the main languages in Uganda. They received approximately 30 phone calls during that broadcast! A Christian military medical doctor handled questions regarding the disease, and the pastor handled questions on biblical aspects.
The district health officer, who heard of the programme, called this pastor requesting that they repeat the broadcast the next day, which they did. They were again inundated with phone calls from people with questions. The pastor reported: “… it was amazing, this time more than the first time…”
It did not stop there, however; one of the town councils in the area provided free airtime for the programme to be aired on the town megaphone speakers. The pastor was furthermore given a free movement sticker, which was very difficult to obtain in Uganda at that time, as they were in lockdown. He was able to play the programme in trading centres and various towns, using a translator for people who did not understand English. The pastor gave God the glory, saying, “God opened doors.”
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Date published: 04/09/2020
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