(April 12, 2013 - by Penny Hughes)  What would it be like to live in a country where most people have little or no idea what Palm Sunday is or what Christ’s death on the cross represents? According to Operation World, 74 percent of India’s population is Hindu, 14 percent is Muslim and just 2.2 percent is evangelical. What better way to reach so many people with the gospel message than with the far-reaching influence of radio?

Countless thousands of listeners to All India Radio had the opportunity to learn more about Christianity as HCJB Global’s local partner, Genesis Media Training Association (GMTA), aired special programming on its 15-minute show, “Beyond Words,” during the Easter weekend.

Three short dramatized programs talked about Christ’s crucifixion and resurrection, His birth, life, miracles and ascension as well as His appearances to the disciples and promised return.

These programs answered the kinds of questions being posed by the vast majority of the people in India who are unfamiliar with Christianity. A listener from the northern state of Uttar Pradesh responded, “I go to temple, mosque and church. Now I know what is last supper and what Christians believe. I like your program very much.”

At the end of each program, listeners were invited to participate by answering trivia questions. All of the participants who gave correct answers through telephone calls, text messages, emails or letters are receiving a copy of the Gospel of John. New Testaments will also be sent upon request to anyone who wants to read about Jesus’ life and learn more about what Christians believe.

Another listener from that same state that is only 0.1 percent Christian, texted, “I did not know Palm Sunday is also related to Easter. Thank you for the information. I will listen to your program regularly. Please send me the book to read.” This response was one of 250 non-Christians who requested a New Testament.

The Easter programs generated a total of 1,350 text messages and 985 phone calls, emails and letters from listeners. In a country where so few have heard the truth about Christ, 90 percent of respondents said they appreciated the program content and presentation and desire to learn more about Jesus Christ and Christianity.

One person wrote, “I heard your program. Now I know why we see the Lord Jesus on a cross. Please send me the book you mentioned. I want to know more about Jesus’ life.”

Many new listeners said they decided to become regular participants in “Beyond Words” which airs on the network every Saturday evening.

GMTA’s Dolly Kirubakaran shared that she is pleased with the listener response. “Please pray as we send out New Testaments, Gospels of John and participation certificates,” she said. “Pray that people may continue to tune in and correspond and that we may be able to talk to them about Jesus Christ, the one and only God.”

Kirubakaran said the fact that “Beyond Words” is still on the air is an answer to prayer as telecommunications officials shut down the program—along with many other broadcasts, both secular and religious—for several months last year while they sifted through all independent radio programs aired in the country. GMTA got permission from the government to put “Beyond Words” back on the air in mid-December—in time to broadcast special Christmas programming.

“Beyond Words” has been an ongoing program that launched in November 2009 and was formerly a half-hour program. Special Easter and Christmas broadcasts in India, however, date back more than a decade. “Please continue to pray as the ‘Beyond Words’ team faces the challenge of meeting the needs of a new audience in a 15-minute program,” Kirubakaran said.

Sources: Genesis Media Training Association, Operation World

Partners Dolly and Christopher Kirubakaran at the studios in Delhi.