(May 25, 2012 - by Harold Goerzen) Community involvement was the goal when Samudayik Radio took to the airwaves in a remote corner of the Himalayan nation of Nepal, and two short years later the station is weaving its way into the local society's fabric.

Local residents celebrate the inauguration of a partner station in Nepal in 2010

"The station is owned by farmers …. by the people who work in the forest … and by a women's group," said *Sameer, a Nepalese radio partner with HCJB Global (now Reach Beyond). "And it's not only that. It's spiritually owned also. The churches in our area have been producing programs once or twice a week. And they have ownership … everyone has ownership. So this is truly a community radio." Volunteers at the station number in the dozens.

Sameer, along with HCJB Global staff members, prayed for such involvement in the FM station which he envisioned as a catalyst for transformation in an isolated village in Nepal.

"Now local community groups are taking ownership, using it as a platform to effect change in the life of the community on every level-spiritually, physically and emotionally," said Ty, who directs the mission's Asia Pacific Region. It is an integrated ministry model at the foundations of HCJB Global's media, healthcare and education ministries. Ty recently visited Nepal to help plant a sixth partner station in the country.

A local government health post (medical clinic) just a few blocks from the radio station provides programming, according to Ram, a healthcare worker in the community. "For example, [the programs address] typhoid, diarrhea, the common cold and [more serious] diseases like cancer, HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis-everything," Ram said. "That's how we are going to change our community health sector. And if we change our health sector, we save money and our lives also."

For his part, Ty deemed this vital partnership "an even greater opportunity to tangibly demonstrate the love of Jesus-to be His voice and hands." Initial response to the broadcasts has been "overwhelmingly and unanimously favorable," he said.

"The media outlet is airing relevant helpful information. People want to hear what the guy from the health post has to say and vice versa. It's driven by a community of people that have caught the vision for radio and healthcare, knowing their lives can be better."

For area farmers, a recent program offered tips on growing cardamom, a spice in high demand in South Asian cooking and a lucrative cash crop. "That's something that would enhance profitability and effectiveness in farming," Ty said. Samudayik Radio's signal reaches a wide area, including the provincial capital, airing about 12 hours of daily programming in the Nepali language.

Young people at a partner station in Nepal.

In addition to providing technical help and radio training, HCJB Global and the station will jointly install a small hydroelectric plant for more reliable electricity, especially during the dry season, and make additional water available for irrigation. "Power is a serious problem all across Nepal," explained Ty. "When the dry season comes, power rationing gets worse and worse. In some places you only have power eight hours a day."

Despite the uncertain political situation in Nepal, a country that had been closed to outsiders and missionary work for decades, "there is tremendous growth in the number of believers, and churches continue to grow," he said. "All of this political turmoil has been a great opportunity for the kingdom of God!"

He urges Christians to pray for the believers in the local community. "It is off the beaten path," Ty concluded. "There are few followers of Jesus, and there are many needy people in this place, but God is moving to bring transformation through His voice and hands."

Watch this video on how local FM radio stations are bringing transformation in Nepal.

"Our partner is thrilled with how this is evolving," declared Ty. "We're talking with other partners, and it's an encouragement to our growing network on how they can not only be self-sustaining, but transformational in their ministry."

Source: HCJB Global (now Reach Beyond)