“Sometimes the power goes out while we’re on air, or the internet slows down—typical issues here in the village,” Sompong says. “While we’re talking, viewers might only see a frozen screen. They often call to check if we’re okay!”
What haven’t we tried to reach people for Jesus? Sompong wondered. She and her husband, Pastor Soonthorn, live in Thailand, where it’s challenging to reach the local people who are deeply rooted in their religion. So, the couple constantly asks God for inspiration on how to reach people more effectively.
One day, while Sompong and her husband were listening to the radio, she had an idea. “Instead of just listening to the radio, why don’t we create our own program?” she asked. Pastor Soonthorn liked the idea. Starting with very limited equipment and funds, they began a radio broadcast that reached their local area.
Broadcasting from a village, Sompong and her husband faced several challenges in operating their radio station.
“Sometimes the power goes out while we’re on air, or the internet slows down—typical issues here in the village,” Sompong says. “While we’re talking, viewers might only see a frozen screen. They often call to check if we’re okay!”
Sompong’s inspiring ministry caught the attention of the Global Mission Center for Adventist-Buddhist Relations in Ubon City, Thailand.
We learned that Sompong was well-loved by her many listeners,” says center director, Khamsay Phetchareun. “So we upgraded her equipment. We also helped her with travel subsidies to visit her listeners with her husband.”
The Global Mission Center has helped expand the broadcast’s range to a 62-mile (100 km) radius, allowing Sompong to share Jesus with a far greater audience.
Sompong knows that a radio message alone often fails to reach a person’s heart. So, she cultivates lasting friendships with her listeners. She prays for them, answers their questions about the Bible, and accepts their invitations to visit their homes, where she ministers to their needs.
“Many listeners have requested Bible studies and even been baptized,” Khamsay says. “We have three groups worshiping regularly, and soon we’ll be able to plant a new church.”
Thanks to technology, this ministry can now broadcast throughout Thailand. With social media platforms such as Facebook, YouTube, and others, their content can extend globally—even to the United States, where they already have listeners.
“Please pray for this radio program to effectively reach as many Buddhists as possible with God’s message,” Sompong requests.
Your generous support of Global Mission helps introduce people to Jesus who might never hear the gospel any other way. Thank you for giving them an opportunity to be part of the kingdom of God.
