May/June 2005

Why did the cost per minute of WMB airtime change from $30.00 to $4.00 per minute?
Ann Baldwin

The change from $30.00 per minute to $4.00 per minute of WMB airtime is primarily due to a change in our broadcast strategy. A few years ago we moved to a more "local approach" for many of our programs rather than broadcasting primarily through major broadcast networks such as Trans World Radio and HCJB. While we do still broadcast some programs through these major networks, many of our programs are broadcasting right out of Nazarene churches and community radio stations worldwide.

The cost for airtime to broadcast through radio and television studios housed in local communities and Nazarene churches typically is less expensive than through the major broadcasters. In addition, many of our programs aired on Nazarene church run stations and local community stations have had an increase in air time. An example would be in a Nazarene run radio station in the Mexico-Central America Region who broadcasts 17 hours each day, 7 days a week - that is 7140 minutes a week on just that one station.

The increase in the amount of overall airtime for all our WMB programs, at a less costly rate, is the primary reason the cost per minute figure has gone down.

HOWEVER, this does not mean we need to receive less in the annual WMB offering. Production costs of programs are high as are opportunities. Even if we meet the offering goal of $750,000, multiple opportunities to share the Gospel through WMB will go unanswered.

Probably the most important information to remember as a church or district considers ways to challenge people to be involved in the WMB offering and ministry, is to share with them about the lives that have been transformed through WMB programs (such stories can be found on the WMB website & the WM DVD). Then, encourage your people to ask God how many minutes of airtime they will support. At a rate of $4.00 for one minute of airtime, nearly everyone in a local church can be involved... some just at $4.00 but many people can and will fund more minutes if they are challenged to do so.

A Life Changed
Buddhist Finds a Friend in Jesus
---Inthun, former Buddhist, now a believer in Christ – Lampang, Thailand

“I was a Buddhist but began going to the Lampang Church of the Nazarene because of the radio program Friend to Friend, and because of a sign in front of the church that said, “Friend…the only word that matters.”

“When I first listened to the radio program I was afraid and not brave enough to call the church because I was sure it was a trick. I had been fooled by many people promising to be my friend only to take advantage of me. But at the church I learned there is no one who loves me as much as God does. Now I understand what peace is because Jesus is my friend.”

“Being a Christian isn’t about changing religions, it is about God changing our life. In the past I tried to convince people who had converted from Buddhism to Christianity to switch back. But now, I encourage everyone to listen to the radio program Friend to Friend from the Church of the Nazarene and to find Christ.”

WMB Stats:
GREAT NEWS! With the addition of a brand new program that launched in East Timor in the Asia Pacific Region on Sunday 04/24/05, World Mission Broadcast is now reaching the unreached in:
35 languages
81 countries
80 programs

For more information on the Asia Pacific Region’s new program, click here.
(link to WM home page, story: World Mission Broadcast Launches "The Better Solution" in East Timor)

Yet to Reach
111 Countries**
2761 Languages***
WMB Fast Facts 4-28-05
* This figure counts any WMB program that is broadcast on multiple stations throughout a region.
** Based on192 countries per Worldatlas.com
*** Based on 2796 primary language groups per Internet Public Library