Clear, Strong Signal in Swaziland Comes from Transmitter Where Sparks Once Flew

May 7, 2011

Clear, Strong Signal in Swaziland Comes from Transmitter Where Sparks Once Flew

May 7, 2011

(May 6, 2011 - by Ralph Kurtenbach) Ted Miller can rest easy in Elkhart, Ind., knowing that a refurbished AM transmitter airing Christian radio programming in Swaziland is operated and maintained by a well-trained staff.

Engineer Ted Miller

The team members were instructed by Miller, a missionary engineer at the HCJB Global Technology Center in Elkhart. In March he spent two weeks in Swaziland to train six eager technicians to operate and maintain the 50,000-watt transmitter.

He had deemed this training as crucial for during the powerful machine's rehabilitation in Elkhart, he and fellow engineers became acutely aware of what its "Serial No. 1" label meant. The big AM transmitter is a prototype which was modified after the documentation of the unit's inner workings was produced by the manufacturer.

The Elkhart team had thought that "Serial No. 1" was ready to ship in early 2010. But just 90 minutes into the final running and testing stage (called the "burn-in"), the engineers were startled by a large bang.

"A connection on a plug had weakened over time," Miller explained. "Sparks flew inside the transmitter." Assessing and repairing the damage during a two-month period, the missionary engineers determined that a high-voltage arc resulted in fuses blown, transistors that literally blew their tops off, and severe damage to the integrated circuits on a key control board.

Today the transmitter is finally in use by partner TWR in Swaziland. In all, it took about two years to upgrade the digital transmitter, make repairs, create new documentation and ship it last fall for arrival at the TWR site in late 2010.

Refurbished 50,000-watt transmitter

After the Elkhart project, "Serial No. 1" is delivering a much clearer and stronger signal to Swaziland listeners than the outdated, failing transmitter it replaced. A two-year investment, followed by two weeks of training – and now a refurbished transmitter has new life, ready to air Christian programming for decades, impacting people's lives for an eternity.

Source: HCJB Global

Director of Church & Donor Partnerships

Position Summary: The Director of Church & Donor Partnerships strengthens Reach Beyond’s ministry by cultivating purposeful, trust-based relationships with churches, pastors, donors, and mission-minded individuals. Serving as a storyteller, encourager, and connector, this role invites the Body of Christ to join in God’s mission to reach those with little or no access to the Gospel.

Working closely with the Mobilization and Development teams, this person helps raise up new workers, strengthen church partnerships, and resource strategic ministry initiatives—always with a posture of discernment, prayer, and long-term stewardship.

Location: Colorado Springs or remote

Employment Type: Full time with employer-paid benefits, including medical coverage, retirement plan, and paid time off.

What This Role Does (Core Responsibilities)

1. Church Partnership Development

This role serves as a relational bridge between Reach Beyond, churches, and missionaries.

The Director:

Maintains strong relationships with existing partner churches and develops 2–4 new church partnerships annually
Shares the vision of Reach Beyond, helping churches understand and engage with the needs of the unreached
Equips churches with resources that support missionaries and foster long-term, healthy partnerships
Collaborates closely with missionaries as they engage their sending and supporting churches

2. Donor Ministry & Stewardship

This role views donor relationships as ministry and discipleship, not transactions.

The Director:

Manages relationships with approximately 12 key donor accounts
Walks alongside donors with discernment—guiding them through education, cultivation, solicitation, and appreciation
Communicates clearly about ministry priorities, impact opportunities, and project funding goals
Maintains accurate, timely records in the donor management system to ensure thoughtful follow-up and accountability

3. Representation & Engagement

This role serves as a public voice and relational presence for Reach Beyond.

The Director:

Represents Reach Beyond at 3–5 regional or national events annually, with intentional follow-up for every connection
Communicates the story of God’s work in Reach Beyond through stage presentations, small groups, and media opportunities
Participates fully in staff meetings, chapels, retreats, and organizational prayer rhythms

4. Reporting, Collaboration & Administration

This role balances relational ministry with faithful stewardship and teamwork.

The Director:

Provides quarterly written reports tracking progress toward mobilization and development goals
Works closely with the Mobilization and Development Directors to align efforts and communicate organizational priorities
Upholds organizational policies and maintains healthy, proactive communication across teams

You must be authorized to work in the United States.

We participate in the federal E-Verify program. See more information at:

https://reachbeyond.org/e-verify-right-to-work.pdf
https://reachbeyond.org/e-verify-participation.pdf

Why Join Reach Beyond? At Reach Beyond, we cultivate a culture rooted in relationship, collaboration, and dependence on God. Our mission is to see unreached people transformed in Christ through media, healthcare, and community development. As the Director of Church & Donor Partnerships, you’ll play a vital role in advancing God's mission and have the opportunity to grow personally and professionally while making a lasting global impact.

All applicants must be able to sign the Reach Beyond Statement of Faith.

Apply Now: Join us in fulfilling God’s calling to bring hope and transformation to the unreached. Complete the application here. Contact [email protected] if you have questions.