The Voice of the Mother Back on the Air in Dem. Rep. of Congo

July 9, 2013

The Voice of the Mother Back on the Air in Dem. Rep. of Congo

July 9, 2013

(July 10, 2013 - by Ralph Kurtenbach) The long-distance call had come from Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). When Curt Bender put his ear to the receiver, all he could hear was the sound of people wailing as if something tragic had happened.

"I never know what the Lord has in store for me when a call comes in, but this time I was completely taken aback," remembered Bender, an HCJB Global engineer. Even the explanation offered by missionary Jim Smith in Nkara, DRC, was of little help.

"Curt, do you hear it?" Smith said loudly. "The people are crying for their mother." When Bender responded that he didn't understand, Smith replied that "the people are crying because their mother has stopped speaking. We need your help; the transmitter quit working."

Radio Glory mother feeds her family," according to Smith, who heads Laban Ministries International (LMI). The station's silence had devastated them.

Smith's parents, Laban and Marcella Smith, began the work of LMI in 1938. Thirty-five years ago Jim Smith and his wife, Nancy, started the Laban Bible Institute, whose students travelled each weekend throughout the region, visiting remote villages to share the gospel with others. No major roads connect Nkara to other African countries, or for that matter, the rest of the DRC, and this limited the students' efforts.

Smith then conceived of using radio in outreach and with some help from missionary engineers from HCJB Global's Technology Center, he put Radio Glory on the air in 2004. Even with limited electricity generated by a diesel generator and high fuel costs due to the village's lack of accessibility, the villagers could tune to the station for two hours each morning and evening.
Within a day of Smith's urgent call, a special cable was on its way to help get the station back on the air at low power, according to Bender. The malfunctioning transmitter was shipped to Elkhart for repairs. After that, Alan Good, a Technology Center technician, traveled to Nkara to install it and help restore the voice of the mother, Radio Glory.

A

s he worked over the course of three weeks in Nkara, Good listened to the stories that a local Christian, Pastor Boma, told about Radio Glory's impact on some of its listeners. One especially dramatic story chronicled how a man, feuding with a brother, had decided to lie in wait in the forest to kill the other man.

"This man took a radio with him and was listening in to Radio Glory," Good said, recounting the Congolese pastor's story. "The Lord convicted him right there as he lay in wait to commit murder, whereupon the man confessed his sin and gave his life to Christ."

Once the Radio Glory signal was restored, calls came in to the station from all over that they were hearing the station again. "We had no idea what kind of an impact the station would make on the surrounding villages and have been awed at how God has used this tool to glorify His name," Smith said. "We often hear of individuals, families, and villages that have come to Christ through the airwaves."

Then around 1 p.m. on Thursday June 2, workers with Ecuatronix contacted Ecu911 to say that the woman had been found on Rucu, a 15,400 foot peak just west of Quito. Rho was near a clearing behind a cluster of telecommunications antennas that faces the capital city in the valley below.

Source: HCJB Global

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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.