Graham Carter
Chief Executive of UCB Pacific Partners writes, Last week I visited our two Christian radio stations in Tonga It was a special time and my heart is full of thanksgiving and praise to God. I saw the Lord doing the things we've been praying and working for since 1986. Effective ministry is more than broadcasting information about Jesus. Pacific Partners has a vision of using radio to bring the supernatural touch of Jesus into the everyday lives of God's people (see Matthew 9:35,36).
As I read the Gospels I see Jesus working with people - especially needy people. Radio is good for proclaiming the Gospel and teaching the Bible. But to be fully effective this must be done from hearts of faith and compassion. And faith and compassion don't come as we sit in a comfortable studio. They come as we are out with Jesus among His people - presenting His Word to them (through our compassionate service), and presenting them to Him (through our prayers of faith). That's what I see Jesus doing, and that's what I saw in Tonga last week. The Bible says - Those who live in God should live their lives as Christ did." (1 John 2:6) One of our Pacific Partners core values is having all staff involved in face-to-face ministry - outreach, listener follow-up, and teaching weekly Bible classes at local schools. For example, last week our thirteen radio hosts each taught one hour classes at five different schools. And some taught three classes. Not only does this keep our workers' hearts full of faith and compassion, but these school students also become our most faithful radio listeners. Some of them get involved in ministry alongside our young workers. And the Lord's work grows!
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Keith teaches his weekly class of 8 year olds
| Four stories from my week in Tonga
to show what I mean: Benisimani (Benjamin) is a 16 year old student
who takes part in our youth radio programs and teaches a weekly Bible class of about 30 people his own age, at his own high school. This is Beni's second year teaching a class by himself and he held their attention, teaching them for a whole hour - amazing! | 
Beni with his senior Bible class
| Sialala is a morning radio host
on Faka-Kalisitiane 93FM and she teaches a school Bible class.
We get a lot of phone calls from people facing difficulties during her program, and on each of her days off she visits four of her listeners who phoned in. To encourage them and pray for them and serve them in any way she can. Just like Jesus did! | 
Sialala to a listener during her radio program
| J . . . is a member of a youth radio team
She was telling her listeners how relating to God was like relating to her father. She loves her father very much and their relationship needs to be a growing and changing one, as she grows up from a child to an adult. Then the phone rang. It was J . . .'s mother in tears. Her mother had walked out on the family for another man when J. . . was little. She ?happens' to tune in her radio and hear her daughter speaking about her love for her father - and for her Heavenly Father. And the mother had to call and tell her daughter how sorry she was. Soon both were in tears. What an opportunity for J . . . to share the Gospel with her mother! And our workers will make sure there is follow-up! | 
One of our "Youth Alive" radio teams
| Willy is one of our experienced radio hosts
He also holds weekly outreach meetings at the market and teaches several weekly Bible classes. Willy has also learned how to follow-up radio listeners and new converts to Christ.
One day I arrived at the station unexpectedly and Willy shouted, "Graham, come and meet my new friend." I stepped into the room and there was Willy sitting across the table from a young man. Bibles were open and the young man was taking notes with pen and paper. Willy introduced him as a listener who had given his heart to the Lord.
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Willy helps a new disciple find his way
in God's Word |
This young man will be drawn into fellowship and serving the Lord with our workers, who are all volunteers from different churches. He'll be encouraged to join a follow-up Bible study at the radio station; to help with home visitation; and school Bible classes. He'll also be encouraged to join a youth radio team (and give his testimony on air to his family and friends). Our workers understand that when you meet Jesus you begin serving Him right away. Reaching out to your friends, family, and community - it's automatic and it's immediate! Just like it was for Beni, and Sialala, and J . . . , and for Willy. And this is how I see Jesus working with the people
in the Gospels And we are told, "Those who say they live in God should live their lives as Christ did." (1 John 2:6) So you can see why I was so excited in Tonga! Our workers continually experience Jesus at work through them, to touch others, so when they talk about Him (whether over the studio microphone or over their neighbor's fence) it's so much more than giving out information about Jesus. There's real spiritual power in their words and in their witness! This is what will bring spiritual revival and change to the Islands! And this is how we want God to use the Pacific Partners ministry in the other South Pacific Islands as well. | 
Theresa prays with some children after
her school Bible class
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Praise God for His work begun in the Islands Please pray for us - So everywhere we go, we tell everyone about Christ. We warn them and teach them with all the wisdom God has given us, for we want to present them to God, perfect in their relationship to Christ. I work very hard at this, as I depend on Christ's mighty power that works within me." (Colossians 1:28-29)
PS: The school Bible class ministry needs your help Theresa is a missionary from the Philippines. She leads the school Bible study program and the children's radio ministry, and her old computer has finally broken down. It is beyond repair That means Theresa has to write her material by hand and keep her records in paper folders. I have to return to Tonga in a couple of weeks and I'd love to take her a new computer. Would you please help me to help her, in this important work she's doing among Tonga's school children? A new computer will cost about USD 1,000.00 (NZD 1,500.00) including freight from New Zealand. Please  me if you can help.
May God bless you for your partnership in this important work. Your friend in Jesus. Graham A Carter
Chief Executive
UCB Pacific Partners Questions or comments? Graham
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As well as leading the School Bible program,
Theresa is also in charge of our daily
Children's radio ministry
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