November 10, 2025
The Tide® ministry’s participation in 2025 AbR Media Continental Convention fostered unity across linguistic and cultural lines
‘The annual convention provided a rich opportunity for participants to learn, worship and grow together’
CHAMBERSBURG, Pa. — Last month, The Tide® (www.thetide.org) ministry joined participants at the annual AbR Media Continental Convention, an annual gathering that unites Christian media workers from 35 countries across Africa. Hosted at the Lavigerie Missionary Centre in Kigali, Rwanda, from October 21-23, 2025, the event drew 170 participants from 35 countries. A delegation from The Tide headquarters in the U.S., along with six partner ministry leaders from Cameroon, Mozambique and Zimbabwe, attended.
“This was the first time for The Tide’s Cameroon team to participate and to meet their counterparts from Mozambique and Zimbabwe,” said Executive Director Don Shenk. “The annual convention provided a rich opportunity for participants to learn, worship and grow together.”
AbR Media is a dynamic network of local, regional and international media associates working together to share the Gospel throughout Africa. Its mission is rooted in relevance, focusing on remaining attentive to the unique cultural contexts of Sub-Saharan Africa and embracing new forms of media to reach younger generations. With nearly 60% of Africa’s population under the age of 25, this focus is both strategic and urgent.
“Delegates engaged in teaching sessions, panel discussions, ministry showcases and networking opportunities,” said Shenk. “With all sessions offered in both English and French, the convention fostered unity across linguistic and cultural lines. The goal was to better understand what God is doing across the continent and to discern how we can faithfully respond to His call.”
Sessions included lectures, Q&A, and group discussions. Session topics included “Ministry in the Face of Persecution,” “Leading in Times of Hyper-Change,” “Leveraging AI for Increased Impact,” “Combating the Proliferation of Pornography Across Africa,” “Spectators or Participants?” and “Strategies to Address Your Local Issues and Challenges.”
“The schedule was very full, but there was enough flexibility that we were able to meet separately and hear firsthand updates from each of the three countries/partnerships represented,” said Shenk.
To provide a sense of how people in general viewed the convention, included below is a series of comments from the AbR Media Continental Convention WhatsApp group. During the convention, the group was closed to comments and used only for announcements and instructions. At the end of the event, the admin opened the group to allow participants to share their thoughts.
A sampling of participant comments received:
“As the host of the AbR Continental Convention 2025, I want to express my heartfelt thanks to everyone who attended and contributed to the success of this historic gathering. Representatives from 35 countries came together with one voice and one mission: to strengthen Christian media and broadcasting across Africa. My sincere gratitude goes to all who helped in the planning, coordination, and execution of the event. Your dedication, teamwork, and faith made this convention a true success story.”– Dusabimana Apollos, Rwanda
“It was really a blessing spending this period of sharing and learning together. I had a great time. God bless you all in your different ministries.”– Isabelle
“Amen, and remember, AbR Media is nothing without those who participate. Please pray for us as we investigate future locations for AbR Media conferences — there are many things to consider. For example, we try to focus on countries that do not already have regular Christian media conferences or networking opportunities.” – AbR Media Admin
“For The Tide ministry, sending our partners to this convention aligns with our guiding principle of leadership development and is an investment in their ongoing ministry,” said Shenk. “These gatherings allow our international partners not only to benefit from training and resources but also to fellowship with one another and with other Gospel-driven media ministries serving Africa.
“By attending the conference, we pray that our partners remain encouraged, equipped and connected to the wider body of Christ. Together, we must celebrate what God is doing across Africa and continue to share His Word with those who are still waiting to hear,” concluded Shenk.
From its humble origins in 1946 as a local Gospel radio broadcast in Chambersburg, PA, The Tide® ministry has grown into a global network of Christian media broadcasting partnerships committed to worldwide evangelism and discipleship. In 2008, The Tide® ministry ended all English-language programming in order to focus on developing and distributing indigenous heart-language content in areas around the world that are less touched by the Gospel. Today, The Tide® ministry works with partners in multiple countries across three continents to broadcast Gospel-centered messages via radio, satellite TV and other media. In order to make disciples and plant churches, The Tide® ministry also provides resources for literature distribution, correspondence courses, discipleship and leadership training activities, and the distribution of radios and media players.
For more information about The Tide® ministry broadcast projects, history, radio programs around the world, special year-long campaigns, the weekly Global Update radio features or other news, visit its website at www.thetide.org or its Facebook page.
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To schedule interviews with Don Shenk, director of The Tide® global radio ministry, contact Media@HamiltonStrategies.com, Beth Bogucki, 610.584.1096, ext. 105, Dawn Foglein, ext. 100, or Daniel Moyer, ext. 104.
To inquire about airing any of The Tide® ministry radio broadcasts, contact Michael Hamilton, 610.584.1096, ext. 101.
