‘We as Christians Must Be On Our Knees in Prayer for Those in Afghanistan,’ The Tide® Ministry Director States
August 30, 2021
CHAMBERSBURG, Pa.— The world is currently looking at Afghanistan with shock and concern as updates continue to flood in. For Christians, it is certainly a time to lift up the country, as well as fellow believers who live there, to God in prayer. Many people are feeling lost and helpless in this crisis, not knowing what they can do to help—if anything.
However, for Don Shenk, director of The Tide® (www.thetide.org) ministry, the purpose is clear—continue to spread the Gospel throughout Afghanistan through local radio broadcasts. An organization that utilizes the power of radio to spread the Good News to people all across the world, The Tide® ministry shares the Gospel daily in over 30 different languages, in 39 countries on three continents,reaching millions of people including those in Afghanistan, Albania, Bhutan, India, Kosovo, Mozambique, Nepal, Nigeria, Pakistan, Thailand, and Zimbabwe.
While the ministry has only been in Afghanistan for just under a year, they have found great success in utilizing the Dari language, one of the local languages of the area. By sharing the Gospel with the people in their heart language, or the language they are born to speak, The Tide® ministry is able to connect with them on a more personal level.
“We at The Tide® ministry have been so blessed to be able to spread the Gospel all around the world through the radio,” Shenk stated. “Even if we had only told one person about salvation through Christ, it would have been worth it—and we’ve seen thousands come to know the Lord through hearing the Good News in their heart language over the radio.”
In Afghanistan, it can be difficult for listeners to make contact with the radio program due to the fear of the current cultural climate. However, the responses The Tide® ministry has received show the hunger for the Gospel within the local people:
“[This radio program] showed me the real love I needed to know because I always felt I was not loved by my god but now I know that [the] real God loves me.”
“Every Tuesday and Thursday I am waiting for the special program to listen about Jesus.”
“Anytime I listen that Jesus had to suffer for me I start crying. I love Him.”
These kinds of responses motivate Shenk and the rest of The Tide® ministry to continue their work in Afghanistan, even at time when it can be difficult to reach those searching for the light of Christ. The Tide® ministry continues to urge Christians to pray for their fellow believers in Afghanistan, as well as those who are lost and seeking the light of Christ. “We as Christians must be on our knees in prayer for those in Afghanistan. In an environment of increased danger, where meeting and worshipping together is risky, radio may be the only source of nurture and encouragement for their faith, and The Tide® ministry is honored to be able to spread the Gospel through this way.”
The Tide® ministry celebrates its 75th year of ministry in 2021. Looking ahead to the next 75 years, The Tide® ministry and its partners will focus on the core foundationsof “The Tide Diamond Vision”:
- Amplify – The Tide ministry will increase ministry initiatives so that more people can experience God’s grace.
- Magnify – The Tide ministry will work to grow its support base to an expanded demographic.
- Solidify – The Tide ministry will develop and supply more resources to help new believers to grow in their faith and live in right relationship with God.
- Verify – The Tide ministry will measure the effectiveness of its activities to both manage them well and to demonstrate the efficient stewardship of resources.
- Glorify – The Tide ministry will strive to ensure that all it does to achieve its vision will bring glory to God.
For more information about The Tide 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. Read more about The Tide ministry and Director Don Shenk here.
In addition, The Tide® ministry is always actively looking for people godly and manly enough to take up the 2021-2022 “Year Beard” challenge. Visit www.YearBeard.org for background and to meet some of the participants who are growing out their facial hair to raise awareness and financial support to help The Tide ministry reach an additional 1 million people with the name of Jesus next year.
###
To schedule interviews with Don Shenk, director of The Tide® global radio ministry, contact Media@HamiltonStrategies.com, Beth Harrison, 610.584.1096, ext. 105, or Deborah Hamilton, ext. 102.
