Steve Balzer tackles computer issues at one of HCJB Global's 50+ partner stations in Indonesia

(Nov. 2, 2012 - by Harold Goerzen) After being on the air for six years, something wasn't right with a partner station in Indonesia.

"Listeners only two or three miles away were having trouble with their reception, so they turned to us for help," said radio planter Toffer King who serves in HCJB Global's Asia Pacific Region. The station is one of the ministry's more than 50 partner stations scattered across Indonesia, a country with the world's highest population of Muslims.

"Sometimes a weekend trip is all a partner ministry needs to get back to full strength," said King, who traveled to the station in September with Steve Balzer, the region's information technology manager, in an effort to solve the station's technical problems.

"We delivered and installed a new antenna and checked the rest of the system to make sure it was working properly," he explained. "Also, after arriving, we were presented with questions and issues concerning the station's automation computer where all the station's music, advertisements and automation software are housed."

In one day the two engineers replaced the antenna, fixed some damaged connections and addressed most of the computer issues.

Removing the old antenna.

"The final test was to see if the signal had returned to its original strength," King related. "A drive through town and out into more rural parts farther away showed that their problem had indeed been fixed. Later they heard from listeners about 15 miles away who said they could tune in once again."

He added that local residents see the station as a "vital part of the community. The station was missed by those who could no longer hear their programming. Based on listener response, this is one of the most popular radio stations in the area. Most importantly, it serves as a beacon of God's truth in an area with many lost and unreached people."

One staff member shared how she had turned to Jesus from Buddhism two years ago and used the word "darkness" to describe her past. "Now as a follower of Christ she seeks to reach those around her, and she's grateful to serve in local radio where she can impact the lives of the lost every day," King said.

Ty, executive director of the Asia Pacific Region, said that even though it took longer than expected to send a team to the station, he's glad the problems could be rectified so quickly and easily.

"I feel excited that our guys could make a weekend trip-something we will need to do more and more-and help a partner with a significant technical issue and solve the problem," Ty shared. "It's especially encouraging to our guys and to our partners. It's part of our role. This is what long-term partnering looks like."

Source: HCJB Global