Papua New Guinea welcomes new Christian radio stations

Two new FM repeater stations in Papua New Guinea bring the total number of stations up to 12, reports MNN.

HCJB Global's partner, Wantok Radio Light, broadcasts radio programs throughout the country. Between 30 and 40 FM stations will be needed to reach everyone in the country as citizens are spread out across very remote areas.

The two stations and the Christian broadcasting is strongly supported by the government since the constitution says, "This is a Christian country." Chairman of the Board at HCJB Ron Cline says, "They want to make sure their people are grounded. If we say we're a Christian nation, then we need to know what that means, and we need to know what we believe. So we're using radio to teach our people on a consistent basis."

The government is also looking out for the youth of the country. "They have a generation growing up incredibly influenced by the West, and they are not as receptive to the Gospel as their parents were under missionaries and in mission schools. So the older generation has looked at the younger generation and said, 'The only way we're going to reach them is through radio,'" says Cline.

Cline says during their visit for the dedication they were able to meet with the president and the prime minister as well as Papua New Guinea's FCC. Their partner does efficient work, and the community pays for the station once its established. The country is very excited to have the programming. You hear it in all the shops, and we heard it in the banks. You hear it everywhere," said Cline.

The two new stations are located off the main island on the autonomous region of Bougainville on Buka Island and on the island of New Britain in the city of Kimbe. The stations were made possible by a special offering for the Wantok Radio Light ministry at an NRB convention last February. The recent dedications were done, as requested by the WRL director, by Frank Wright and Ron Harris of NRB.

There are 18 similar repeater stations in the works in the country. Cline says the reception they've received has been encouraging. "This is a win-win-win situation," he said. Therefore, they are on the lookout for the attack of the enemy to hinder their success.

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[01/03/2008]

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