(Dec. 21, 2016 - by Janice Reid)  When you look in a mirror, what do you see?

Most people see themselves but don’t notice much about their surroundings. And in some ways, radio is the same. But to do good radio, as Reach Beyond trainer Lisa Balzer explained to group of young announcers in Indonesia, “We need to look past the obvious, seeing both the listener and his or her context.”

Thirteen students came from five stations on three islands of Indonesia for a week of training in early November to learn what it takes to produce programs that reflect the character of Jesus.

Trainers taught them how to use modern broadcast software and studio equipment. But the most important lesson of all was how to speak Jesus into the lives of the listeners.

To do that, radio presenters need to know their audience. Why? Because listeners choose a station “at least partly because it seems to reflect them—their tastes, their values, their very selves,” according to instructor Eric Norberg. “It’s a ‘cultural mirror’ for them … a touchstone by which they define themselves.”

Listeners tune in to a Christian station—and what should they get? A reflection of Jesus in their lives.

This is a big responsibility for a station that focuses on outreach. Announcers need to choose content that fits the taste of listeners while demonstrating the moral values that characterize Christian faith. It takes time and practice to get the balance right. As one student put it, “To be a broadcaster requires hard work!”

So what should Reach Beyond partners do? Go back to the mirror. Look at the listeners and see what their lives are like. Observe their daily activities and commitments. Get involved in the community. Go where people are and talk to them … and especially, listen to them.

This personal touch is a powerful tool in countries where relationships are vital—yet their religion may seem impersonal and distant. Through prayer and real involvement, when our listeners look in the “mirror” of their local Christian station—who will they see? Jesus.

Source: Reach Beyond