Technology is always moving forward. It’s always looking forward. In fact, as I write this, everyone is talking about today’s Apple event where they will announce and display the newest bit of technology. By its very nature, technology is always knocking on the future’s door.
But what about old technology?
Some of us call it ‘retro,’ reminisce a little and move on to the next new thing. But I am afraid we have left principles and concepts laid down by the saints before us; those early adopters of technology. We are always talking about the newest and latest trend, but what about foundational principles that can keep us steady and steer us in the right direction?
It’s easy to caught-up in the winds of technology. Some of us adjust our sails and take the full gain force wind and advance as quickly as we can, while others resist, drop sail even, and are lost at sea—shipwrecked on the island of obstinateness. I believe the answer is somewhere in between these two ways. By all means, we should set our sail and advance in the winds of technology, but we must never abandon our rudder and lose our course.
Trans World Radio
I have many years of radio experience. I loved radio as a kid and still love to edit audio to this day. Radio is not nearly the powerhouse that it once was and must evolve before it becomes completely obsolete. But at one time, radio was the cutting edge of technology. Christian tech’s before us saw this as a powerful way to spread the Gospel beyond borders. One of those saints was Dr. Paul Freed—the founder of Trans World Radio.
I recently began reading his biography (TOWERS TO ETERNITY), hoping to gain some insight from an old saint who was on the cutting edge of technology for his time. Just after reading the preface, I had something that I wanted to share.
Hard Work
Ministry is hard work—no matter the medium. I know many churches don’t take blogging, Facebook and other forms of social media seriously. There are many different reasons, but the number one reason is because it requires a huge investment. Time, money, these are the resources that today’s technology beg for. So is it worth it?
I highly doubt anyone would question the effectiveness of Trans World Radio. They have testimony after testimony of lives reached and changed in Jesus name. Here’s what we can learn from Trans World Radio:
- Trans World Radio became a household word to many overseas listeners because they broadcasted nearly 1,000 hours of programming every week. And you thought it was hard to post something on your Facebook Page everyday?
- They also established an International presence—five continents and one subcontinent. Is it just me, or does this remind you of that thing called the Internet? Moreover, establishing radio towers and transmitters all over the world is far more expensive than most of the web and mobile technologies we use today.
- They implored ‘national partners’—organizations who would translate, adapt and produce Trans World Radio programs into other languages. When it comes to spreading the Gospel online, I wonder how we could do a better job of this?
- They handled listener correspondence and follow up from over 30 countries and every month they would (and may still) receive 25,000 to 40,000 letters—from India alone! That puts ‘going viral’ in to new perspective. Can you imagine reading and replying to that many messages every month!?!
When you compare and contrast how the Church used radio and how it is currently using the web, I feel like we could be doing a lot more. Not only on an International level, but a local level as well. It is inspiring to see how church tech saints before us navigated through new technology and how they stayed on mission.
Simon L Smith says
I read Towers to Eternity back in my Bible College days (late 80s/early 90s, before this whole Internet thing took off….) and was so impressed with how they used “technology” in missions work.
I have no doubt that book helped shape my understanding of how technology can assist us with preaching the Gospel.
Yes, the whole medium and message conversation is a good one to have, but sometime it is good to just do it, like Trans World Radio did….
Now I need to go dig that book out of my library and give it another read….
Eric Dye says
Awesome!
Steve Shantz says
I’ve worked with Trans World Radio for many years and as a technologist I was also inspired by what TWR was doing to use technology to reach a global audience. TWR continues to go strong and even expand our radio broadcast footprint. This is vital for reaching into closed countries where the authorities can block internet access to unwanted sites and where on the ground missionaries would be in danger.
Trans World Radio however is not limiting their outreach to radio and is investing heavily in providing audio, video and printable media online through web sites and mobile Apps – localized in many languages. For example, the http://www.twr360.org platform is a web portal offering content from 85 ministries in 28 languages through localized mobile friendly (responsive design) web pages and mobile Apps. TWR’s ministry to women Project Hannah also uses a multilingual website and mobile Apps to bring hope to oppressed women around the world.
TWR have also partnered with another radio ministry Through The Bible to provide an audio bible commentary that goes through Bible in 5 years. The entire series is available in 50 languages on the fully localized ttb.twr.org web site and on the TTB mobile App.
TWR’s strategy is to continue with proven radio broadcast technology while also using the “cooler” online products. It’s all about reaching as many people as possible in their heart language.