CHAMBERSBURG, Pa.—Thailand has seen fewer cases of COVID-19 than many Asian countries throughout the pandemic, but they have not avoided the economic burden of a failing tourism industry. As countries around the world continue to face lockdowns and travel restrictions, Thailand continues to see an absence of foreign visitors.
The Tide® (www.thetide.org) global radio ministry is recording and broadcasting the Good News across Thailand in the midst of this economic crisis.
“As travel continues to be restricted, it is easy for us in America to stop thinking of those in other countries who may not have all the benefits we do,” said the Director of The Tide, Don Shenk. “People across the world are facing starvation because they cannot go into work. Families in Thailand are scared for their safety because their economy is collapsing.”
To fight feelings of isolation and to spread the message of joy, The Tide ministry recently hosted two live radio broadcasts in Thailand. During these broadcasts, The Tide ministry invited listeners to call in to ask questions about the Gospel or to share their testimonies on air.
“We have a responsibility as Christians to love and serve others,” Shenk said, “and radio gives us an opportunity to do so despite the pandemic and economic difficulties.”
The radioministry also airs daily 50-minute programs in the Isaan language, spoken by 19 million people in Thailand. These installmentshelp listeners get a true overview of God’s Word, taking those interested in learning more about Christianity from Creation to the Church and giving a panoramic view of the Bible.
The Tide partners in Thailand also producedaily broadcasts on a popular radio station in Muang Samsip district, where several village house church groups are located. The morning programs reach the entire district of 82,000 people and into the surrounding districts as well. The ministry partners have been thankful for the 8 to 9 a.m. time slot, which is convenient for rural farmers. Online programs and daily devotionals are also part of the ministry mix.
The Tide ministry is celebrating their 75th anniversary of recording and broadcasting gospel programming which now extends into multiple regions on three continents with content in 30 heart languages spoken by millions of people in various countries, including Afghanistan, Albania, Bhutan, India, Kosovo, Mozambique, Nepal, Nigeria, Pakistan, Thailand, and Zimbabwe. With more than 7,000 languages spoken worldwide and more than 2,000 people groups yet unreached with the Good News of Jesus, the opportunities are tremendous.
For more information about The Tide broadcast projects, history, radio programs around the world, special yearlong campaigns, the weekly Global Update radio features or other news, visit its website at www.thetide.org or its Facebook page. Read more about The Tide ministry and Director Don Shenk here.
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To schedule interviews with Don Shenk, director of The Tide global radio ministry, contact Media@HamiltonStrategies.com, Marjorie Pratt, 610.584.1096, ext. 107, or Deborah Hamilton, ext. 102.