The satellite transmissions began October 6, 2000. New Life also has a station in Magadan that broadcasts across much of the former Soviet Union on several frequencies. The broadcast station first went on the air in 1996, after three years of trying to get licensed. It was the first independent, non-government or Christian radio to broadcast in Russia, says Dan Johnson, president of Christian Radio for Russia.
Although the station now operates independently, it had its beginning with the assistance of the denomination and several local Covenant churches that continue to provide support.
“At this point, we’re the only nationally available broadcast Christian radio station,” says Johnson. “We have provided a way for Russians living throughout the country to have access to Christian radio. That’s never happened before.”
The station has received praise even from unlikely sources. A letter from the director of the Gaza prison hospital in St. Petersburg wrote Johnson, saying “The hospital administration thanks New Life Radio for help in spiritual and ethical correction of prisoners’ lives. Your broadcast really helps.” Satellites dishes have been placed in orphanages so that the children can hear the Christian music. Ukrainian taxi drivers have used the radio station to evangelize their passengers.
Johnson says the role the radio station plays is vital, “especially when there’s been little development of Christian media.”
The station is facing challenges as it enters its sixth year, however. The license renewal to broadcast from Magadan recently was denied, and the station has resubmitted its application. It is from Magadan that the signal travels across much of the country. Approval is pending for the Moscow satellite station. The satellite station began as part of New Life Radio, but now exists as a separate operation.
Proposed and existing Christian radio stations routinely are having their license applications denied, Johnson says. The reasons are varied, including government officials’ opposition to Christianity, he adds.
Current obstacles have not stopped Johnson from dreaming and planning to make those dreams become a reality. The satellite transmission only covers the northern half Russia, he says. “I want to expand to the south and even across the world to Russian and Slavic immigrants in the United States.” That dream, estimated to cost around $18,000, could become a reality as the station believes it can use a satellite signal originating in Israel.
To learn more about New Life Radio, visit its website at www.christianradiorussia.org.
Copyright © 2011 The Evangelical Covenant Church.
