August 10, 2026
After 80 years of global ministry, The Tide® launches bold new vision: The Tide Forward
As The Tide global media ministry marks its 80th anniversary on Aug. 11, it unveils a bold new initiative to expand the Gospel’s reach for generations to come
CHAMBERSBURG, Pa. — For eight decades, one ministry has been doing what many said couldn’t be done: reaching some of the world’s most spiritually isolated communities with the life-transforming message of Jesus Christ. On Aug. 11, The Tide® global media ministry marks its 80th anniversary — and it isn’t slowing down. As The Tide celebrates this historic milestone, it is simultaneously announcing The Tide Forward, a visionary new initiative designed to strengthen, expand and sustain the ministry’s reach for generations to come.
Founded in 1946 as a local Gospel radio broadcast in Chambersburg, Pa., The Tide has grown into a global network of Christian media broadcasting partnerships spanning three continents. Since 2008, the ministry has focused exclusively on developing and distributing indigenous heart-language content in areas of the world with limited access to the Gospel — ensuring people hear about Jesus in the language they were born to speak. Through radio, satellite TV and other media, The Tide reaches millions of people in some of the world’s most spiritually underserved regions.
“Eighty years ago, a group of faithful believers with a microphone and a calling launched a ministry that would one day reach across continents,” said Don Shenk, executive director of The Tide. “Every broadcast, every heart-language program, every church planted and every new believer discipled over these eight decades is a testament to what God can do through ordinary people who are willing to be used. We don’t take that for granted for a single moment — and we’re not finished.”
The Tide Forward is built around three strategic pillars that reflect both the ministry’s deepest convictions and its most pressing opportunities:
Relevance — The Tide is committed to positioning the ministry as a globally impactful organization that will remain significant for future generations. This includes developing a comprehensive donor engagement strategy, enhancing social media and web platforms, strengthening board governance and implementing a staffing plan to support long-term growth and sustainability.
Impact — The Tide will expand into new strategic regions by assessing partner reach and identifying communities that have not yet been engaged with the Gospel. Simultaneously, the ministry is deepening its investment in existing partnerships through structured support, targeted training and leadership development — equipping local broadcasters to carry out their shared mission with greater effectiveness.
Transformation — At the heart of The Tide Forward is the conviction to glorify God by fostering life transformations through its ministry efforts. Lasting change begins with God; The Tide works to cultivate a God-honoring culture that integrates prayer and spiritual growth into everyday ministry life. It then captures and celebrates the stories of transformation that result from its work around the world, sharing them to build up the Body of Christ worldwide.
“The Tide Forward is not simply a strategic plan — it is an act of faith,” Shenk said. “We believe God is opening doors in new regions, raising up new partners and calling a new generation of believers to carry this work forward.”
The announcement comes as the global need for heart-language Gospel outreach has never been greater. Across Africa, Asia and Europe — the three continents where The Tide operates — restrictive religious laws, rising persecution and limited access to Scripture continue to leave millions without a clear path to the Gospel. The Tide’s model of partnering with indigenous ministers who broadcast in the local heart language has proven uniquely effective in reaching these communities, even in places where open missionary activity would be impossible.
“We are grateful for every person who has prayed for us, given to support our work and trusted us with their gifts over these 80 years,” Shenk added. “Now, we are asking them to stand with us for the next chapter. The Tide is moving forward — and we want everyone who loves the Gospel to move forward with us.”
To learn more about The Tide ministry’s 80th anniversary and The Tide Forward, visit www.thetide.org.
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 media ministry, contact Hamilton Strategies, Media@HamiltonStrategies.com, Beth Bogucki, 610.584.1096, ext. 105, or Daniel Moyer, ext. 104.
To inquire about airing any of The Tide® ministry radio broadcasts, contact Michael Hamilton, 610.584.1096, ext. 101.
