Anderson Times

The ARIEL (Automating Radio In Every Language) project that Dan has been working on has taken a new direction. This project was originally designed to develop an automated system that would enable small Christian stations to keep programs on-the-air 24 hours a day with limited personnel.

When the ARIEL project began, few low-cost, high-capability systems were available that would run on a standard personal computer. Since then, many high-quality, easy-to-use systems have been designed by engineers in many countries. The HCJB World Radio Engineering Center negotiated a greatly reduced price for automation software from a company with years of experience with small radio stations. Although the software developed at the Engineering Center was of high quality, our management determined that we would have a difficult time supporting our radio partners while keeping up with rapidly changing technology. The decision to discontinue development of our own radio automation system was a difficult one, but we want to make the best use of our limited human and financial resources.

By purchasing and distributing a third-party solution, our engineers are now free to help more partners in less time with new technology. Dan is looking forward to using his technical knowledge to help more international Christian radio stations to grow and reach local listeners with the Good News of salvation in Jesus Christ.

This past year the HCJB World Radio Engineering Center has been instrumental in helping Christian partners expand Christian radio ministry. We have shipped 50 transmitters to partners in 30 countries since September 2003. The Engineering Center is working with a partner to establish a satellite/FM radio network across the entire country of Papua New Guinea.

In his report to the annual meeting of HCJB World Radio, president Dave Johnson stated, “Much of what we are doing around the world has been possible because of the Elkhart Engineering Center.” We count it a privilege to be a part of this ministry along with those who partner with us in prayer and finances.

Changing World - New Opportunities

Technology is changing the way we minister in countries that are not as backward as we think. The Internet and cell phones are giving us new opportunities to communicate the Christian message of hope to unreached peoples.

Internet access is widely available in the North Africa / Middle East region of the world, and Christian sites are not blocked in most countries. Listeners in those regions are requesting Bibles via short email messages rather than the slower and less reliable snail mail system. Our broadcasters can respond more quickly and in a more personal way than was previously possible.

In Mauritania, many people have cell phones even though they have little money. Listeners there are using the text-messaging capabilities of their cell phones to send short messages to radio partners broadcasting via FM and direct broadcast satellite. (Satellite receivers are more common in this area of the world than in the U.S.)

ARABIC

(Morocco) After spinning the dial, hoping to find a good program to listen to, I discovered your station that talks about the Messiah. For the first time I became interested in these programs and started listening every day. I have a lot of questions concerning Jesus’ death that I will ask next time.

RUSSIAN

(Russia) I am a 21-year-old Muslim student living in Astrahand (north of the Caspian Sea). Thank you for your programs. Please send me a full Bible as I have never read the Old Testament

Dan has welcomed the change in his ministry that will give him more opportunities to help the Engineering Center engineers and partners without the burden of a large software development project. Development of the ARIEL automation system was discontinued (see Changing to Enhance Ministry on front page) giving him time to work on other important projects that have been on hold.

Typical tasks that aid partners include: a) Assembling an automation computer for a Polish Christian radio network, b) Installing an Internet software system that enables HCJB engineers to debug partners’ radio automation remotely, c) Testing and researching a new email system to be used mission-wide, d) Researching new automation software for international Christian stations.

Barb began her eighth year as librarian at Elkhart Christian Academy and keeps busy caring for the rest of us when she’s not at school.

After a two-week break in July, Jenny (20) returned to the Word of Life Bible Institute in Argentina to continue her studies in Bible and ministry. She finished the bilingual program and has been studying entirely in Spanish with the Latin American students since April.

Jenny did well in her first year at the institute, receiving the highest academic award for the bilingual students. She will return to Indiana at the end of November during the summer break in Argentina.