It was Christmas Eve of 1906 in Brant Rock, Massachusetts, when, remarkably, visionary-inventor Reginald Fessenden realized his idea of broadcasting the first radio program to the ships at sea. It was a one-hour program which consisted of an explanation of what he planned to do, some phonographic music (Handel’s Largo), O Holy Night played by Fessenden on violin, the singing of one verse of Adore and Be Still and the reading of Luke chapter 2. How about that?!! The very first voice radio program included the Word of God, containing the most important message anyone could ever deliver! “Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace to men of good will.” Luke 2:14 The same program was repeated on New Year’s Eve. But, according to Fessenden, he found someone else to do the singing since he had done it himself on Dec. 24th and it “wasn’t very good.” Please enjoy our family’s dramatization of that first program, even if it is “not very good.” :>) https://drive.google.com/file/d/1S5eFfkhluY5hzaJ8oqmSzt9J_GId5yqg/view?usp=sharing Fessenden had a vision to improve upon what was considered at the time to be the only valid contemporary use for radio, which was Morse code. His goal was to use a more natural way of communicating, using speech rather than Morse code’s short and long tones. Fessenden’s idea of broadcasting full audio by modulating the carrier wave (AM) was criticized by contemporaries including the inventor giant Guglielmo Marconi who didn’t accept its value and wanted to capitalize on the use of wireless Morse code. Pushing through the obstacles and naysayers, Fessenden linked together technological advances to open huge doors of communication. We see God’s sovereign hand guiding through people like Fessenden. As a result, we now enjoy the benefits of various types of radio, television, the Internet and even cell phones, which, like the first radio program, can deliver God’s message of redemption!

Consider the similarities between Fessenden’s program and our TWR broadcasts:

• Fessenden’s was an organized program with a themed message. (Christmas!) Likewise, at TWR we have programs geared specifically for women, men, children, serious bible students and seekers.

• Three days in advance of the first broadcast, Fessenden marketed what was to come to the ships at sea via telegraph! At each frequency change (typically March and October) here at TWR, we, too, let our audience know of any upcoming changes in programming and frequency.

• The ships at sea - particularly the US Navy and the United Fruit Company’s ships - were Fessenden’s target audience. Here on KTWR our intended audience is Asia, Australia and the Pacific, with programs uniquely designed for the location.

• How would people receive the transmission? Fessenden had that aspect covered, as well. He saw to it that the necessary receivers were delivered in advance. Similarly, we have staff who deliver shortwave radio receivers to those who don’t have easy access to them.

Quarterly Vol. 27 No. 4

Number 4

December 2018

Wishing you a blessed

Christmas as you ponder

God’s gift - our Savior!

Doug, Denise, Sarah and Joy

• In 1906, from the test broadcasts out of Brant Rock, Massachusetts, there were reports of reception as far as Virginia and the West Indies! Clearly these places were not within the intended target zone. From the tiny island of Guam, KTWR broadcasts hop hundreds of miles blanketing Asia. Often the radio waves keep propagating, and as a result we regularly hear from listeners as far away as Europe and Africa! We have even heard reports from people picking up our signal in the Americas!

• Written reports could be witnessed in logs of the US Navy and the fruit company back in the early 1900’s. In TWR, there are people who monitor the signal quality and strength so that we know how we are getting through. We rejoice to hear directly from listeners who are touched by the programs.

Dr. Freed, founder of TWR, was also a man of vision. He desired to use radio technology to spread the most important message there is. He also saw the necessity of locking hands together. United together through the Holy Spirit, organizations and individuals can accomplish more for the cause of Christ. “The tremendous challenge in missions before us is the need to link arms—hands and hearts together—to work at the job. We must live in a much bigger way, with much greater vision, realizing the potential is unlimited when we commit our all to the Lord Jesus Christ.” Dr. Paul Freed I am happy to report that in December we will be partnering with Cru (formerly Campus Crusade for Christ) to broadcast the “JESUS” film audio in 83 languages throughout Asia! At Christmas and always, it is a joy to receive greetings from across the miles from listeners such as these in Myanmar: "Dear TWR-Myanmar, I pray for you all to be blessed by God with joy, delight, peace and various

blessings on this Christ's birthday together within this New Year!”

“After I heard Burmese Women of Hope hosts wishing ‘Merry Christmas’ I remembered last year's

Christmas and praise Lord Jesus Christ. I also greet TWR-Myanmar team members and wish ‘Happy

New Year’!”

dgregson@twr.org

TWR

PO Box 8700

Cary, NC 27512-8700 http://www.twr.org

1-800-456-7TWR