How do you know when God is communicating His will to you? How do you know this is really God speaking? How do you know that these plans are not your own desires but the very will of God for you and for the ministry with which you’re involved?

These are challenging questions that must be answered as we seek God’s will for our life and ministry. One of the challenges we face today is that there are many opportunities for ministry. Each year Trans World Radio receives requests from a range of churches, organisations and ministries across the globe for help. When, in November 2002, TWR was approached by President Matthieu Kerekou of Benin to establish a broadcasting station in that country, how were we to know whether this was God’s will for our ministry?

TWR-Africa had been investigating the possibility of building a transmitting site in West Africa for more than five years. Licenses for broadcast in medium wave and short wave had been applied for in Burkina Faso, Mali and Ghana to one level or another without success throughout this period. When the invitation to apply for a broadcast license in Benin came, Trans World Radio faced the same dilemma that faces every Christian – is this God’s will?

The Bible teaches that God’s will can be determined through several means that work together to lead Christians along paths that may be unfamiliar. God’s Word is the primary means of determining His will. The Bible teaches us to pray and seek the will of God in all circumstances. The Word of God also encourages us to listen to the advice of mature Christians around us and to look for situations where it is clear that God is opening the door and clearing the way ahead. Circumstances therefore play a large role in determining the will of God. As TWR’s leadership prayed over the invitation and sought the advice of other Christians and Christian organisations who minister in West Africa, application for a license was made and a medium wave license was granted. Several key Christian partners endorsed the project and offered to work with TWR in establishing the transmitting station. A transmitting site was located near Parakou that proved to be ideal for broadcast. The church in Benin welcomed Trans World Radio with open arms and the support of the country’s president, himself a committed Christian, has been unwavering.

In February 2005, a project manager - Garth Kennedy, and his family will travel to Benin to begin preparations for the building phase of the project. When completed, the new transmitting station will broadcast on medium wave to the West African countries of Benin, Togo, parts of Nigeria, Ghana, Mauritania, Algeria, Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso. Programmes will be provided through TWR’s studios in Cote d’Ivoire and through several of TWR’s partner ministries in West Africa.

TWR-Africa invites you to partner with us as a new chapter in Christian broadcasting opens in West Africa either by praying for this project, participating through volunteering your services by joining a team that will assist with the building project, or through giving financially to meet the needs TWR has for the station.

Article: Rev. Brent Bartlett
10 November 2004