If there is one word to describe TWR – in itself quite a task – “partnership” is the one that comes to mind. One of the most crucial arenas of partnership with TWR is its global network of mission-minded media affiliates known as national partners.
As global as TWR is, it is the local connection with Christian media professionals who strongly desire to reach their own people in their own languages with the gospel that makes all the difference. Let’s shine the spotlight on one such encouraging national partner by going to the Czech Republic in Central Europe – a country known for both its rich Protestant history and its present-day abundance of professing atheists and agnostics.
TWR Czech Republic was established in 1990 as a partner organisation of TWR International. From the very beginning, the focus was on spreading the gospel through radio broadcasts and other available media formats. TWR Czech Republic has been gradually increasing its broadcast time, and since 2019 it is even continuously streaming broadcasts on its own station, Rádio 7. This streaming includes around 50 locally created programmes per week, such as programmes of Bible teaching.
In 2022, Rádio 7 also started broadcasting via digital radio known as DAB. The leased transmitters cover the territory of 70% of the Czech population. Through DAB, Rádio 7 seeks to engage closely with secular society. The potential is great for a growing audience of those who can now listen to Rádio 7 over DAB car radios.
Depite the Czech Republic being a prime example of a post-Christian society, TWR‘s national partner here is grateful that a majority of support for the ministry comes from in-country churches and individual donors. It is truly a Czech ministry for the Czech people, which serves well as a role model for other organisations. The recent fundraising campaign for launching the digital radio initiative through Rádio 7 was shared between TWR and TWR Czech Republic and proved to be a win-win for both organisations.
But TWR Czech Republic isn’t focussed on national ministry alone. It also engages its audience with world missions. The ministry supports a producer in North Africa, enabling this person to create locally relevant programmes in a region where it is often challenging for Christians to live their faith.
The Czech Republic-North Africa connection is a great example of the worldwide network of partnerships that are the foundation of the TWR family.