Johvi vorps takes to the airwaves

Another great story from the east of our Region this week. The term 'open air' took on a new meaning as an exciting new project launched this week in Estonia. The Salvation Army and Family Radio have partnered to open a new broadcasting studio in the Johvi corps.

Arina and Paavo ready at their mics

Candidates Evgenhy and Arina Danilov took up their appointments in the summer. Their congregation was very small - actually, on their first Sunday no one turned up at all! So they took stock of what they had available, looked at their office and decided it could be much more effectively used as a radio studio. Before stopping work to look after their lovely new son, Arina worked with Family Radio at their Narva studio. Discussions took place with radio station director Paavo Pihlak and the plans for establishing a new studio in Johvi began to take shape. Paavo sourced the necessary technical equipment and the room was soundproofed and carpeted to provide the right environment for recording.

On Friday I travelled with Regional Assistant Evelin eastwards to Johvi for the opening ceremony. Arina and Evgenhy had organised it and I wasn't quite sure what to expect. How thrilled we were to find a small group of enthusiastic supporters gathered for this historic event.  A church friend, Sergei, joined Arina to lead us in a time of worship. It was my privilege to formally welcome our visitors and then Arina explained how God had given her the vision to use her experience in Christian media and launch this new project. She was delighted by the enthusiastic reception to her ideas and grateful or this new opportunity.

A number of leaders of Local churches had come along and one by one they took to the mic to lend

Johvi church leaders unite to launch the new project

their support, praying that this new project would demonstrate unity amongst Christians in the city and form a powerful voice of witness and evangelism within the area. Volunteer broadcasters from Family Radio's Narva studio shared testimonies received from listeners who had contacted the station to express thanks for the spiritual encouragement they had received from listening to the programmes.After praying and asking for God's blessing on the new ministry, I invited Methodist Pastor Arthur Pold and radio director Paavo Pihlak to join me in cutting the ribbon and declaring the new studio open and 'ready for mission'. 

Paavo begins the ribbon cutting!

To symbolise the working partnership Paavo and I each cut the ribbon one third of the way through before Arthur gave the final snip and we declared the studio 'ready for mission'! This new project is a powerful reminder of the wonderful opportunities that media and social networking open up. The Johvi corps is small numerically - but it's influence could be totally unrelated to its size. Arina and Evgenhy will become cadets in January when the new training session begins but it is great to see their vision becoming reality.  Whilst Family Radio's airwaves broadcast covers parts of Eastern Europe, the programme can be listened to anywhere in the world via the internet. So If you want more information bout Family Radio's programme schedules, check out their website: http://www.pereraadio.ee