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New Life Radio Marking Fifth Year of Ministry
MAGADAN, RUSSIA (November 11, 2005) - New Life Radio is celebrating its fifth
anniversary of broadcasting Christian information and music via
satellite in Russia at a time when many similar radio stations are being
thwarted in their work.
The satellite transmissions began October 6, 2000. New Life also has a
station in Magadan that broadcasts across much of the former Soviet
Union on several frequencies. The broadcast station first went on the
air in 1996, after three years of trying to get licensed. It was the
first independent, non-government or Christian radio to broadcast in
Russia, says Dan Johnson, president of Christian Radio for Russia.
Although the station now operates independently, it had its beginning
with the assistance of the denomination and several local Covenant
churches that continue to provide support.
"At this point, we're the only nationally available broadcast Christian
radio station," says Johnson. "We have provided a way for Russians
living throughout the country to have access to Christian radio. That's
never happened before."
The station has received praise even from unlikely sources. A letter
from the director of the Gaza prison hospital in St. Petersburg wrote
Johnson, saying "The hospital administration thanks New Life Radio for
help in spiritual and ethical correction of prisoners' lives. Your
broadcast really helps." Satellites dishes have been placed in
orphanages so that the children can hear the Christian music. Ukrainian
taxi drivers have used the radio station to evangelize their passengers.
Johnson says the role the radio station plays is vital, "especially when
there's been little development of Christian media."
The station is facing challenges as it enters its sixth year, however.
The license renewal to broadcast from Magadan recently was denied, and
the station has resubmitted its application. It is from Magadan that the
signal travels across much of the country. Approval is pending for the
Moscow satellite station. The satellite station began as part of New
Life Radio, but now exists as a separate operation.
Proposed and existing Christian radio stations routinely are having
their license applications denied, Johnson says. The reasons are varied,
including government officials' opposition to Christianity, he adds.
Current obstacles have not stopped Johnson from dreaming and planning to
make those dreams become a reality. The satellite transmission only
covers the northern half Russia, he says. "I want to expand to the south
and even across the world to Russian and Slavic immigrants in the United
States." That dream, estimated to cost around $18,000, could become a
reality as the station believes it can use a satellite signal
originating in Israel.
To learn more about New Life Radio, visit its website at
www.christianradiorussia.org.
Copyright © 2008 The Evangelical Covenant Church. |
