1. TWR Presidential Commissioning Service
2. Spotlight on TWR's Leadership Development Initiative
3. Because You Gave
4. "I Will Give You Life!"

As Lauren Libby was commissioned on Sunday as Trans World Radio's new president, the international Christian broadcaster’s top executive reaffirmed TWR’s commitment to continue touching hearts and transforming lives for Jesus Christ. Libby became TWR’s fourth president on December 1, 2008.

“TWR is uniquely positioned to take the gospel around the world,” Libby told the audience of several hundred TWR staff, ministry leaders, partners and supporters at Cary’s Colonial Baptist Church. “Through our strategic broadcast outlets and other mass media platforms, God has given us a vehicle to reach people globally as few others can. There’s not a moment during the day that TWR is not speaking to someone across the globe in the name of Jesus.” 

After stressing the importance of people praying “for wisdom, courage and God’s provision of resources during this crucial time,” Libby shared his vision for TWR to recruit the next generation of young people into media missions and to continue leveraging innovative technology to advance the gospel message. 

Special inaugural speakers at the commissioning included: Mike Treneer, international president of The Navigators; Thorsten Grahn, director of international projects for TWR’s German partner Evangeliums-Rundfunk; HCJB Global President Wayne Pederson; Werner Kroemer, international director for TWR Europe/Middle East/Commonwealth of Independent States; and Dennis Lambert, pastor of Thornburg Church, Smith Center, Kan.

*Photo courtesy of Brian Mullins Photography

Click here to view inaugural address.

Trans World Radio's mission involves assisting the Church in fulfilling the Great Commission through mass media so that lasting fruit is produced. To accomplish this, TWR has implemented a Global Strategic Plan, with one key initiative focusing on leadership development. Strengthening the faith of new believers and preparing fledgling leaders have always been trademarks of TWR's work, and this is carried out in a plethora of ways.

Discover more about this initiative this month on our homepage. Read about our commitment to leadership development, and watch an inspiring epic story video from Albania. See how programs like Seminary on the Air (SotA) and Discipleship on the Air (DotA) are making a lasting difference. Also, be sure to check out the Q & A on leadership development with longtime TWR missionary Bill Mial. Visit our Web site at www.twr.org to find out more.
 

Thank you so much for your part in our "Year-End Challenge," which enabled us to meet and exceed our challenge goal of $115,000 by December 31, 2008. The total amount received in response to the mailings and online giving opportunities for the challenge gift is $368,835 as of January 30, 2009. Of this total, $115,000 was given by those who made the gift challenge possible, and $253,835 was contributed by other friends and donors.

In the midst of today's turbulent and uncertain economic times, Trans World Radio is deeply indebted to each supporter who gave generously during the closing months of 2008. Though our overall giving in 2008 was less than in 2007, we are pleased to share that our preliminary year-end reports indicate TWR ended the year in the black with a small surplus. We are grateful to God that we can begin 2009 in a healthy financial position thanks to generous giving, the faithful participation of our broadcast partners and the careful watch of ministry expenses by our teams around the world. 

With the deepening economic crisis in the U.S. and around the world, we know that 2009 will be an immensely challenging year for TWR and other Christian ministries. TWR is committed to living within the resources that God provides through generous friends like you. We are also committed to practicing prudent stewardship, and that may ultimately result in reducing the levels of programming we had planned this year. Please pray that God will provide the necessary funds so that TWR can continue to touch lives for Christ in more than 160 countries. We are grateful for your ongoing prayers and financial support as we continue to share God’s love with a needy world.

Click here if you would like to make a financial contribution to help meet TWR’s vital ministry needs for 2009.

A few years ago, while I was serving in the military, I was depressed and disgusted with my life. One day when I was on patrol duty around the barracks, I resolved to take my life with my weapon of service. Suddenly, a friend arrived to relieve me of my patrol. Seeing my depression, he held out a small radio receiver and said, “Take this receiver. I received a broadcast from abroad; somebody was speaking our language. Go take a rest and listen well to what the speaker says.”

I turned on the small receiver and a few minutes later I heard a voice read Acts 16:27-31: The jailer woke up, and when he saw the prison doors open, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself because he thought the prisoners had escaped. But Paul shouted, "Don't harm yourself! We are all here!" The jailer called for lights, rushed in and fell trembling before Paul and Silas. He then brought them out and asked, "Sirs, what must I do to be saved?" They replied, "Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and your household." Through this verse, I believe I heard the voice of Jesus tell me, “Do not give yourself over to death, believe only! I am here to give you life. I will give life to you and to your family, and to your friend that is with you!”

After hearing this, my purpose in living was restored to me because Jesus gave me His life. I told my friend about this event, and he gave his heart to Jesus also. When I shared the story with my family, who are devout followers of another religion, they gave glory to Jesus. They also accepted Jesus as their King and their Savior Who is able to give them life.

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