We’re celebrating a new radio studio in Zimbabwe with a local ribbon cutting here at home. In 1983, The Tide ministry began working with a church group in Zimbabwe to produce and air a Ndebele language radio program called “Amagugu Evangeli,” which means “Precious Gospel” in English. Since then, the ministry has also assisted in the production of Christian radio programs in the English and Shona languages.
“Our radio work in Zimbabwe has been accomplished in a rather cramped and noisy setting, but about two years ago, The Tide ministry began building a new, larger and upgraded recording studio so that this local radio ministry can continue to grow and impact more lives for Christ,” said The Tide Director Don Shenk. “Now, our partners on the ground and local pastors will be able to reach even more listeners with gospel programming in their own languages.”
WHO: The Tide global radio ministry
WHAT: Local ribbon cutting
WHERE: Chambersburg Brethren in Christ Church, 465 Center St, Chambersburg, PA 17201
WHEN: At 1 p.m. April 4
WHY: To celebrate a new radio studio in Zimbabwe
Chambersburg Chamber of Commerce membership director Joel Black will play a part at the ribbon cutting. Black is also a member of Chambersburg BIC and a participant in The Tide ministry’s Year Beard challenge, which calls on men to grow their beards for a full year to help raise funds for The Tide ministry throughout 2019. Learn more about Year Beard here.
In addition to the studio, the new Zimbabwe location will also have an office from which listener follow-up and correspondence will be coordinated. The site is located in a more suburban area with less noise and more space for growth.
Funds are still being raised for the project that totals about $65,000. A team from The Tide ministry will travel to Zimbabwe in August 2019 to tour and officially dedicate the new facility.
“It has always been a goal that our operations in Zimbabwe would be self-sustaining,” Shenk added. “The new studio is a strong step in that direction, as opportunities now exist for musical groups to record and duplicate their materials for a fee. Creating radio ads will also be an option for increased income.”
Listen to sample “Amagugu Evangeli” programs from Zimbabwe here.
Attendees at the local ribbon cutting on April 4 will include:
- Nelson and Doris Ann Byers, son and daughter-in-law of the Rev. Charlie Byers, founder of The Gospel Tide Ministry
- Franklin County Commissioner Robert Thomas
- State Rep. Rob Kauffman
- Chambersburg Mayor Walt Bietsch
- A representative from Congressman John Joyce’s office
- Staff, board members and donors of The Tide ministry