According to Operation World, more than 85% of Thais are Buddhist.

(Dec. 7. 2012 - by Harold Goerzen) Nestled in the hill country of central Thailand sits a bustling agricultural town with about 80,000 people. It's also a tourist destination because of its scenery, temperate climate, fresh fruits and vegetables, Buddhist temples and close proximity to a picturesque national park boasting a multi-tiered, natural waterfall.

While most of the residents are Buddhist, they can now hear the story of salvation in Christ on an FM station that went on the air last month through the cooperative efforts of the Thailand Christian Radio Network, seven local churches and HCJB Global.

"We worked in the city from Nov. 2-7 during which we helped install the first Christian radio station in the district," said Lisa Balzer who was part of a team that traveled from the mission's regional office in Southeast Asia to help install the station and train the staff.

Trainer Janice Reid leads a class for the Thai station's first radio announcers.

Concurrent with the raising of the tower and station installation led by Toffer King, radio trainers Janice Reid and Balzer taught 22 announcers who will serve at the facility. Among the participants in the "Radio Foundations" course were pastors, teachers, farmers, secretaries and students-"everyday people with a passion to use their experiences and love for Jesus to make connections with listeners and point them to Him," Balzer related.

A Christian primary school provided land for the station, and local residents constructed the building, including a studio, reception area, kitchen and bathroom. "Having physical separation from the school will keep the two from interfering with each other," Balzer said. "Significant work was accomplished on the building in just a few days."

Trainer Lisa Balzer helps a Thai student learn how to use the new studio equipment.

Prior to starting work on the tower, pastors of the local churches came together for a time to dedicate their new ministry project. Crew members erecting the tower finished their work quickly. "It was exciting to drive around the area while checking reception to see the faces of the people who can be impacted through radio," King added.

Community development is also part of the station's focus with programs aimed at life skills, strengthening families, farming practices and other specialized topics of interest to local residents.

"Praise God for a successful installation and training course," commented Balzer. "Please pray for this group of seven Thai churches and announcers as they work together to build this fledgling station into a powerful voice for Jesus' truth and growth in the community."

Source: HCJB Global