(March 11, 2011 - by Beth Patton) Whistling Frog Productions won the 2011 National Religious Broadcasters (NRB) Media Award for International Innovation in recognition of the British ministry's efforts to produce catchy audio spots that air on mainstream radio stations in the U.K. These so-called "seed spots" are designed to prompt non-Christian listeners to consider the gospel.

L-R: Bill Skelton, Wayne Pederson, Colin Lowther, Frank Wright.

Whistling Frog Productions is a ministry of HCJB Global-UK headed by Colin Lowther. After accepting the award at the event in Nashville, Tenn., he led a "Voice of Jesus" workshop and gave examples from his own experiences, encouraging others to expand the impact of reaching the lost in their communities by running creative spots on secular radio.

In addition, an Indonesian man was the keynote speaker at NRB's international luncheon, telling of 40 community FM stations that have started with help from HCJB Global. Each year an estimated 7,000 listeners are finding a personal relationship with Christ through the broadcasts, leading to the formation of more than 1,100 churches in some of Indonesia's least-reached areas. The Indonesian partner was presented with HCJB Global's Timothy Award.

Another longtime HCJB Global partner-Radio Shema, which operates two community FM stations in Turkey-was also honored for its outstanding ministry to unreached people in that country of 77 million where there are just 3,500 evangelical Christians.

Former HCJB Global President Ron Cline, now serving as a global ambassador for the mission, said he was thrilled with the increasing emphasis on international ministries and on partnerships among organizations at NRB. The theme of the Feb. 26-March 1 event was "Extend Your Reach Through Media."

Vice President of Donor Relations Dick Jacquin said the convention "confirmed again for us the hearts of our U.S. Christian radio partners who want to be part of reaching the whole world for Christ."

International Media Services Manager Andrés Jara met with attendees whose ministries contract with Jara's team for translation of English radio programs into other languages (primarily Spanish). He said that many U.S. radio ministries "trust us because of our extensive experience in radio production and the way we produce culturally relevant radio programs."

"We're seeing a renewed interest among U.S. broadcasters in being part of the global media movement to reach unreached people," added HCJB Global President Wayne Pederson. "There is a growing sense that it's not about U.S. stations helping developing countries. It's about U.S. ministries participating in the worldwide media movement to share the gospel."

Source: HCJB Global
Photo credit: SmugBug