Damage to Shortwave Transmitter Destined for Swaziland a Blessing in Disguise

November 13, 2010

Damage to Shortwave Transmitter Destined for Swaziland a Blessing in Disguise

November 13, 2010

(November 12, 2010 ? by Jean Muehlfelt) Whenever many people think of the Big Bang Theory, they envision some type of exploding matter that eventually forms a universe. It ends up being called "creation." When the big bang happened recently at the HCJB Global Technology Center in Elkhart, Ind., just the opposite happened. The project to upgrade a 50,000-watt shortwave transmitter for use by partner Trans World Radio (TWR) in Swaziland came to a smoking and noisy halt within days of when the transmitter was to be shipped last spring. The setback happened during the final running and testing stage, called the "burn-in." That's when the transmitter must perform above what would be required of it on a day-to-day basis in an effort to reveal any remaining problems with the unit. Unfortunately, about 1½ hours into the final test, the transmitter shut down with a huge bang. An electrical engineer, sitting in another room about 70 feet away, was startled by the noise. "A connection on a plug had weakened over time," explained Ted Miller, another engineer assigned to the project. "It wasn't anything we had done. Rather, it could be compared to when a plug in a wall outlet begins to sag down instead of staying plugged solidly into the wall. Sparks flew inside the transmitter." The high-voltage arc in that one plug had many consequences-blown fuses, transistors that literally blew their tops off, and severe damage to the integrated circuits on a key control board. It took more than two months to assess and repair all the damage in order to get the transmitter running again. What made this particular repair process so difficult was that the digital AM transmitter was a prototype with Serial No. 1, and the original documentation from the manufacturer had been lost," said engineer Charles Jacobson. "The transmitter had had many fixes and modifications that did not match the manuals and drawings we had on file." In all, it took two years to upgrade the digital transmitter, make repairs, create new documentation and get it into a shipping container on Oct. 20, bound for Africa. It is scheduled to arrive at TWR's site before Christmas. "No one understands all the reasons God had for this long delay in the refurbishment of the Swaziland-bound transmitter," Jacobson continued. "However, the delay did help the engineers correct some problems in components that were not part of the upgrade. The changes will also improve the reliability and maintainability of the transmitter in Africa." Now that there's a big empty space where the 50,000-watt transmitter had been worked on, staff members at the Technology Center have begun moving in the rest of a 100,000-watt transmitter to be refurbished for HCJB Global-Australia's international broadcast facility in Kununurra. Upgrading that transmitter to digital will allow HCJB Global-Australia to provide a "vastly improved quality of signal to its listeners in various countries in the Asia Pacific Region," Jacobson said. 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.

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