Adventist World Radio

Adventist World Radio is the mission radio arm of the Seventh-day Adventist church, using shortwave, FM, AM, satellite, and Internet broadcasting. It broadcasts to the hardest-to-reach places on Earth, to people groups that are difficult to reach with conventional outreach methods. Even in the modern era, there are still countries where mission workers cannot be sent because of political, religious, or geographic barriers. AWR's goal is to share the hope of Christ with people around the world in their own languages. AWR currently broadcasts in nearly 70 languages worldwide, and is preparing to add more. 2. Where does AWR broadcast? One of AWR's main objectives is to share the gospel of Jesus Christ with the people living in the 72 countries within the 10/40 window. This is an area 10 degrees to 40 degrees north latitude -- an area spanning North Africa, the Middle East through the Asia / Pacific region. Over four billion people (two-thirds of the world's population) live in the 10/40 window, and less than two percent of them are Christian. AWR also broadcasts radio programs in Africa, Europe and South America. Satellite coverage extends to North America and northern Australia. Combining both satellite and radio, AWR can potentially reach 80 percent of the world's population with the gospel in their own language. Internet users can listen anywhere on earth. 3. What kinds of programs does AWR broadcast? The preparation of interesting, uplifting and relevant programs directed to non-Christian listeners is the goal of AWR. Producers are chosen from the same language and cultural group as the target audience so that the programs will truly connect with the people. The programs are aimed at encouraging the listener to grow into a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. A variety of formats are used, however a magazine format , comprising several different segments in one program , is the most common. Segments can include short sermons, interviews, family matters, health information, drama and music. AWR also airs programming for children, medical advice forums and musical presentations. 4. How can I hear AWR programs? Since the mandate is to enter the hardest-to-reach places on earth, AWR focuses on countries where mission workers cannot be sent because of political, religious, or geographic barriers. North America does not have such restrictions, and many Seventh-day Adventist media ministries are already active here, so we concentrate on broadcasting to other areas. However, if you have a shortwave radio, you may occasionally be able to pick up an AWR signal. Also, more and more of our programs are accessible through Internet audio. Certain satellite users may be able to hear AWR via one of our four satellite feeds. For a program schedule, visit www.schedule.awr.org. 5. What is shortwave radio? Shortwave radio bands are located between the AM and FM wavebands, so a receiver that includes the shortwave bands is required. Radios with shortwave bands can be obtained economically and are often referred to as "world band" radio. Shortwave broadcasts can easily travel thousands of miles, and some go almost around the world. All radio waves "bounce" as they travel. Regular AM and FM waves bounce along the ground and cover only localized areas. A shortwave, however, bounces off the ionosphere , several hundred miles above the earth's surface , and can travel an extremely long distance. Because shortwave bounces off the ionosphere, shifts in atmospheric conditions can effect , for better or for worse , shortwave reception. Such shifts are almost always caused by radiation from the sun. 6. Why do you use shortwave? Isn't it obsolete? AWR broadcasts many hours on shortwave radio because it is the most widely-heard broadcast vehicle in the world. The signals can travel for thousands of miles, unlike AM or FM radio waves, enabling our programs to broadcast from outside a country and yet reach into countries that are closed to religious broadcasts in local media. More than 2.5 billion people, using 1.5 billion shortwave radio receivers, tune in around the world on a regular basis. Research shows that shortwave listeners are growing globally, with shortwave penetration at its highest level in developing countries. For example, 98 percent of households in Zimbabwe have shortwave radios. People in North America don't listen as much to shortwave because of the widespread availability of local AM and FM stations. 7. How many languages do you broadcast in, and how many countries do you cover? AWR currently produces programs in 64 languages, such as Amharic for people in Ethiopia, Kirghiz for residents of Kyrgyzstan, Malayalam for listeners in India, and Spanish for the population of Cuba, and most of Central and South America. It is a challenge to calculate the exact number of countries we reach, since signals fluctuate and numerous radio stations access our downlinks throughout the year.