Participants: Jim Ayer
Series Code: MW
Program Code: MW000025
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00:32 I'm standing here at the memorial for Tula,
00:34 near the "Tomb of the Unknown Soldier." 00:37 Tula was vital in the role that they played, 00:40 beating the German, defeating the Germans. 00:43 They produced missiles, 00:44 they produced Kalashnikov weapons, 00:47 they trained military men all, 00:50 from all over the country. 00:53 But you know that isn't all that Tula is known for 00:55 and the Tula does. 00:56 I think you'll be surprised today 00:58 to find an exciting story. 01:01 Tula is spreading the gospel all over Russia. 01:05 It is such a wonderful thing, it isn't just about death, 01:08 but it's about eternal life in Jesus Christ. 01:43 I'm standing here 01:44 at the "Tomb of the Unknown Soldier." 01:45 The inscription reads, 01:47 "Your name is unknown, your deeds are known." 01:58 One Russian city has long been known 02:00 as the centre of weapons manufacturing. 02:02 In 1712, Tula was visited by Peter the Great, 02:06 who commissioned the Demidov blacksmiths 02:08 to build the first arms factory in Russia. 02:11 Several decades later, 02:13 Tula was turned by the Demidovs 02:15 into the greatest ironworking centre of Eastern Europe. 02:19 During the Great Patriotic War, 02:21 as many Russians refer to World War II, 02:24 the city was important in the production 02:26 of a vast array of weaponry. 02:28 Tula became the target of a German offensive 02:30 to break Soviet resistance from Moscow 02:33 between October 24 and December 5, 1941. 02:39 The heavily fortified city held out however, 02:42 the Second Panzer Army was stopped near Tula. 02:45 The city secured the southern flank 02:47 during the Soviet defence of Moscow 02:49 and the subsequent counter-offensive. 02:51 Tula was awarded the title, "Hero City" in 1976. 02:57 She is absolutely colossal in size 02:59 that she towers over the entire city, 03:02 over 96 meters high, that's over 300 feet. 03:06 She is beautiful and she was built 03:08 to commemorate World War II and the victory. 03:12 Well, it isn't publicly known 03:14 all weapons manufactured in Tula, 03:16 it is known for the manufacturer 03:18 of the various missiles. 03:20 But it is most famously known for the Kalashnikov rifles. 03:24 Avtomat Kalashnikov designed 03:25 one of the most famous weapons in 1947. 03:29 It's known worldwide as the AK-47. 03:32 There are now some 100 million 03:35 AK-47s in circulation. 03:46 It's pretty amazing to me that here 03:47 we're in the middle of the city that produces 03:51 maybe nuclear weapons, 03:52 I'm not sure but definitely missiles of many kinds 03:54 I'm told, Kalashnikov machine guns, well weaponry. 03:59 It's a training centre for the military 04:02 for the vast Russian armies 04:05 and we've a studio here, how did that happened. 04:08 Well that's an interesting story, 04:09 actually it's a miracle of God really. 04:14 That happened about the time communism was falling apart. 04:18 And first of all, 04:20 the church wanted to establish a school, 04:23 but the city of Tula wouldn't hear up 04:27 having a Christian school in a city 04:30 that is the pride of their military. 04:33 And so they gave a piece of property 04:35 way up north in the little tiny village of Zaoksky. 04:39 But at that time they also decided 04:41 they wanted to see if they can get on the radio. 04:44 And they had a church here 04:46 and they decided to start doing some recordings 04:49 I believe in the church. 04:51 It started right in the church. 04:52 Yes, it started and it was kind of 04:54 a secret operation there 04:57 and those tapes of course would be sent 05:00 to Adventist World Radio 05:01 and we would broadcast it on the shortwave network. 05:06 So tapes would go out of the country 05:08 and then you broadcast back into the country. 05:09 Back into the country, Because it was illegal. 05:11 It was illegal, it couldn't be any broadcast 05:13 on local radio at that time. 05:15 And so it was kind of 05:16 a undercover operation at first. 05:20 foreign language 05:47 Back in Stalin's day, 05:49 he wanted to communicate with his people. 05:52 But he didn't want to give them radio receivers 05:54 where they would, might listen to some broadcast 05:57 from the western world. 05:59 And so he wired homes, and businesses, 06:02 and hotels, and street corners, 06:05 and they put speakers on these corners 06:08 and they would just put a volume button, 06:10 no on and off button, 06:11 just a volume button, you know. 06:13 And that's so they couldn't turn it all the way off. 06:16 Yeah, probably not. 06:17 And then the leadership of the country 06:20 could tell the people whatever they wanted, 06:22 whether it was informational kinds of things, 06:25 or propaganda or whatever it was. 06:28 foreign language 06:54 Now, I don't know a lot of the details 06:57 about the formation of this station. 06:59 But there is a man here one of our producers, 07:04 very Russian looking person, his name is Nikolai. 07:08 And Russian name. 07:09 Yeah, that's right and he has worked here for 18 years 07:13 and he could tell us a lot more details about this all. 07:15 I've got to meet him. 07:16 Yeah let's go, let's go talk to him as well, yeah. 07:20 Nikolai, Ben tells me that you are really 07:23 the patriarch of this ministry. 07:25 You've been here a long time. 07:26 Share with me, why do they call you the patriarch? 07:29 foreign language 07:32 This happened a long time ago. 07:35 This happened in 1990, 07:37 Brother Butyl Kolkov met me at church 07:40 and invited me to work with Voice of the Hope. 07:43 During this mission it was around summer time in 1990 07:47 and what's interesting is that Peter later said, 07:50 I didn't believe that you would come to us. 07:53 I'm sure he said this because 07:55 I was not attending church during that time. 07:56 foreign language 08:02 You now, this is not unusual for Adventist World Radio 08:06 for producers to actually become 08:10 believers by reading the scripts. 08:13 I'm one of the people who came to Christ 08:15 because of the radio. 08:16 I first came to church 08:17 because of the Spirit of the God calling me 08:19 and my heart led to believe 08:21 after apprehending the word of God. 08:23 Would it be appropriate to say, 08:25 because you've been involved in the work of AWR 08:27 since the beginning here in Russia. 08:29 Is it appropriate to say that, 08:31 AWR has made a huge impact in Russia? 08:35 foreing language 08:47 I travelled alone down Central Russia 08:49 and made an appraisal. 08:51 Ten percent of the residents knew about Voice of the Hope. 08:56 And were listening to out station. 09:00 According to the letters and comments that we get, 09:02 we believe that the first 10 percent 09:04 of the people are listening and still know 09:06 about the Voice of the Hope. Thank God. 09:09 We calculated 10 million potential listeners 09:12 and what's interesting is that the Voice of the Hope 09:14 was leading in all radio stations in Russia. 09:16 foreign language 09:24 You're saying we're the leaders 09:26 in radio broadcasting. 09:30 Our radio station was leading in all of Russia. 09:33 We had the most listeners, 09:34 we had the most interesting programming 09:36 and we received the most letters. 09:38 foreign language 09:41 We've the small profile 09:43 compared to Orthodox and Baptist. 09:45 But with little power we managed to accomplish 09:47 this graceful thing. 09:48 foreign language 09:51 Is that the case still today? 09:54 During the small matter of time 09:55 when we didn't have the radio, 09:57 people were still sending letters 09:59 about our programming. 10:00 Later we came back and people were happy 10:02 to begin listening to our station once again. 10:05 foreign language 10:08 For decades Tula has been a huge military city, 10:12 but by the power of God, 10:14 it is now reaching all the former USSR 10:17 with the gospel of Jesus Christ. 10:19 Stay tune, we'll be right back 10:21 for the rest of story. 10:24 Here is another story of hope from Adventist World Radio. 10:28 Kalu Ram was a poor field laborer 10:30 near Gujarat in India. 10:32 Finding his work tedious, Kalu, purchased a small radio 10:36 to relieve the boredom. 10:37 One day he came across a program 10:39 talking about Jesus, it was from Adventist World Radio. 10:43 After listening for few days, 10:44 Kalu, looked for a pastor 10:46 who could tell him more about Christ. 10:48 Soon convinced of the Christian truth, 10:50 Kalu, was baptized and became an outreach leader 10:54 in his hometown and the surrounding area. 10:57 Witnessing in predominantly Hindu towns 10:59 is not always safe and Kalu was once attacked 11:02 when approaching a town to preach. 11:04 However through the efforts of Kalu, 11:06 and the volunteers he has trained, 11:08 nearly 1000 people have accepted Christ. 11:13 Adventist World Radio shares the Hope of Christ 11:16 with millions of people everyday. 11:19 For more information visit awr.org. 11:25 As you can see AWR, is frontline mission radio. 11:29 Our first priority is to travel 11:31 where missionaries cannot go. 11:34 We broadcast thousands of hours each day 11:36 in 70 major languages of the world. 11:39 AWR has the capability and capacity of blanketing 11:42 almost 80% of the world's population. 11:46 Not only do we broadcast via shortwave radio, 11:49 but our signal is on over 1000 FM 11:52 and AM stations around the world as well. 11:55 Our podcast subscribers, internet users, 11:58 satellite downlinks are growing rapidly, 12:00 evidence by the hundred thousand 12:02 plus emails and letters 12:04 and phone calls we receive each and every year. 12:07 Yes, AWR is your mission radio, 12:10 no walls and no border, 12:12 for AWR that means change lives 12:14 and change heart's around the world, 12:16 because God is using the airwaves of AWR 12:19 to reach people everywhere. 12:34 Nikolai, you've seen this ministry grow. 12:36 Can you share a little bit of how you've seen it grow? 12:39 Everything started from having very little. 12:42 We started getting together at Butyl Kolkov's house 12:45 and there we established 12:46 the first radio programming station. 12:48 His house is located not far from Voice of Hope. 12:51 And now how many people are at the studio? 12:55 There are lot of people working in the studio, 12:57 but the radio programming has only three people. 12:59 foreign language 13:03 We had a small group of co-workers, 13:05 so we had to understand each other quickly. 13:07 Our very first recording was very interesting, 13:10 I came and sat down at Sirakov radio, 13:13 after I started reading the text, 13:14 I looked underneath my hands 13:16 and they were forming a puddle 13:17 because of the stress. 13:19 foreign language 13:24 We were also stressed over the first incoming letters. 13:27 foreign language 13:34 We didn't expect to receive much, 13:36 but when we opened the box out came hundreds of letters 13:39 just from the first radio programming that we had. 13:42 foreign language 13:47 Now was this, they are all during Communist time 13:50 or had it changed already. 13:52 foreign language 14:00 No, this was the period of the Soviet Union. 14:03 This was the fall of Gorbachev. 14:04 We were finally able to have free radio, 14:07 but we still had problems with understanding. 14:10 People getting in our way. 14:11 These were organizations that put us into tight spots. 14:14 foreign language 14:21 Our programming was around 20 minutes. 14:23 We divided it into two sections. 14:25 Peter read the first spiritual part 14:28 and the other half I spoke in relation 14:29 with the teens and kids. 14:31 But they were all debates relating to spiritual terms. 14:36 foreign language 14:55 foreign language 14:59 In the beginning, I was the speaker 15:00 and a principal of the school. 15:02 It was fairly easy, because I was able to plan 15:04 and organize things to make them workout smoothly. 15:08 It was interesting, 15:09 because we had to do this on a mimeograph machine. 15:12 Then we wrote everything by hand 15:13 and finally typed it up on a computer 15:16 and kept the printed text. 15:17 foreign language 15:31 The text was later pasted on a poster 15:34 and I personally delivered them 15:35 on public transportation in a huge bag. 15:40 So those first letters that you received, 15:42 when you began to broadcast, 15:45 where those people already interested in learning more? 15:50 foreign language 15:59 We feel the difference within a year. 16:01 We're absent for a while 16:03 and while we were gone 16:04 the letters stopped coming in. 16:06 People were writings us letters asking us 16:08 where we went and why we disappeared. 16:10 As soon as we came back on air for Radio Russia, 16:13 we started getting our flow of letters back, 16:15 couple of hundred a month. 16:17 Tell me today, we're on 1500 stations across Russia. 16:23 What kind of response you're receiving 16:25 and how do you process those responses? 16:28 foreign language 16:38 Now letters are coming in from a different direction. 16:40 They are now flowing in from prisons. 16:42 They've a different situation and are left with only 16:44 the connection through the radio. 16:46 Listening to our radio station daily, 16:48 they sent us question's relating to a topic 16:50 that were discussed. 16:52 A lot of them are now members of our school 16:54 and now giving addresses to their family, 16:56 so we can write to them. 16:57 foreign language 17:03 Here is another story of hope from Adventist World Radio. 17:07 Egor and Fatlana, 17:09 unlike some other Russians have seen nothing, 17:12 but hard times since the fall of Communism. 17:15 The agriculture industry, 17:16 so vital to their rural town has plummeted, 17:19 leaving the area in poverty. 17:22 Watching their dejected neighbours 17:24 fall to alcohol abuse, 17:26 they were concerned about the influence, 17:28 such a hopeless society 17:29 would have on their five children. 17:31 So they search for a positive influence for their family. 17:35 They founded in Adventist World Radio. 17:38 You're the brightest light in our hard life 17:40 they wrote to us. 17:42 We're always looking forward to your next program. 17:45 Thank you for your message of kindness and hope. 17:51 Adventist World Radio, shares the hope of Christ 17:54 with millions of people 17:56 everyday in their own languages. 17:58 For more information visit awr.org. 18:02 Through the radio waves of AWR, 18:04 God is reaching people around the world. 18:08 We would like to offer you an addition of Making Waves. 18:11 Its four of our episodes 18:12 brought to you from around the world. 18:14 God is speaking to hearts, 18:16 the hearts of the listeners of AWR exciting stories. 18:19 We hope that you will share those with friends 18:21 and neighbours, acquaintances, 18:22 anyone you come in contact with. 18:24 Join us to Make Waves, its completely free. 18:27 Write now the information is on your screen. 18:31 For your free no obligation DVD, 18:33 write to Adventist World Radio, 18:36 12501 Old Columbia Pike Silver Spring, Maryland, 18:40 20904 or call 1-866-503-3531 18:47 or log on to www.awr.org/mwdvd. 18:54 Be sure to request offer # 10, 18:57 that number again is 1-866-503-3531. 19:08 You were telling earlier on the questions over the years 19:12 that you are used to answer have now changed. 19:15 foreign language 19:22 Yes, today, letters have different meaning. 19:26 foreign language 19:31 We started receiving more letters 19:33 from areas that did not have simple situations 19:37 and they only have 19:38 the connection through the radio. 19:41 They listen to our station 19:43 and then they send the questions. 19:46 And they started learning. 19:48 Now they gave us addresses to their families, 19:51 so now we can write to them. 19:53 foreign language 20:06 Operation Barbarossa, it was the largest land 20:09 battle in the history of the world. 20:11 Twenty seven million soldiers lost their life. 20:14 Many of them on these very fields, 20:16 they call it the fields of blood. 20:18 Here is the memorial to many of those fallen soldiers 20:21 from just this little village alone. 20:23 But can you imagine 27 million men 20:26 gave their lives in battle. 20:29 Operation Barbarossa opened up the Eastern Front, 20:33 which ultimately became the biggest theatre of war 20:35 in world history. 20:37 It was notorious for unprecedented ferocity, 20:40 destruction and immense loss of life. 20:44 More people fought and died on the Eastern Front 20:46 than all the theatres of World War II combined. 20:50 With over 30 million dead, many of them civilians, 20:54 the Eastern Front has been called 20:55 the war of extermination. 20:57 It resulted in the destruction 20:59 of the Third Reich and the partition of Germany 21:01 and the rise of the Soviet Union 21:03 as a military and industrial superpower. 21:07 The total estimated human loss of life 21:10 caused by World War II was roughly 72 million people, 21:14 making it the deadliest and most destructive war 21:17 in human history. 21:18 The civilian toll was over 45 million. 21:22 The Soviet victory owed a great deal 21:24 to the ability of the war industry 21:26 to outperform the German economy, 21:28 despite the enormous loss of population and land. 21:37 As the world has become industrialised, 21:39 so too has the ability to cause death and war. 21:43 Beginning around 100 A.D. to now, 21:46 it is conservatively estimated 21:48 that there have been over 375 million deaths 21:52 from major conflicts. 21:53 This does not include 21:54 the thousands of minor conflicts throughout history. 21:57 Nor does it include the satanic fits of genocide 22:00 that terrorise cultures and nations since that time. 22:04 In the words of Christ, there should be wars 22:06 and rumours of wars, but the end is not yet. 22:10 Can anyone doubt that these words have been 22:12 and are been fulfilled 22:13 through the grotesquery illative sin. 22:17 As one writer so aptly put it, 22:20 "I can hear the footsteps of an approaching God." 22:23 No matter where we turn 22:24 the footsteps are getting louder, 22:27 the steady thread of events is ever join us 22:29 to the ultimate climax of time and then eternity. 22:33 "That moment when time, as we know it ceases 22:36 and every eye shall see Him." 22:39 Our Lord and Savoir is calling you 22:41 and calling me just as He is calling our radio listeners 22:45 around the world to be ready for that great day. 22:53 Tell me in the production of programs that you're doing, 22:58 what kind of subjects are you producing now. 23:03 What, has it been a change in terms of peoples' 23:06 interest over the years. 23:08 What do you find is the most effective 23:10 to reach the hearts of the Russian people? 23:13 foreign language 23:19 At first people were asking questions like God, 23:23 why is He here? 23:25 Where did He come from? 23:27 Tell us what the Bible says? 23:30 Who wrote the Bible? 23:32 These are simple questions given, 23:34 but now they became deeper and harder to explain, 23:37 they're asking high educated questions. 23:40 They started asking about the books 23:41 and where they came from, 23:44 asking about the life and the biography of authors, 23:48 just tough questions like these, 23:50 even we sometimes will have to hand those questions 23:53 over to our biblical college. 23:54 foreign language 23:56 We've a special radio program that is named, 23:58 "Biblical Dictionary". 24:00 We collect their questions, the ones asked the most, 24:03 and the most difficult ones to understand. 24:06 foreign language 24:11 We later then answer them, we've a little slogan 24:15 and it says, "This is interesting," 24:17 and our other slogan says, "Guess the biblical text." 24:22 This is very interesting 24:23 and the majority of our letters 24:25 come from these games. 24:28 The letters will come in asking more questions 24:31 and before you know it, 24:32 they're part of our so called biblical home study. 24:34 foreign language 24:37 Do you still find people changing from unbelief, 24:43 atheism to Christianity? 24:46 Is that still happening today? 24:47 foreign language 24:55 Atheism was always around, from the beginning of time, 25:01 for that reason people switch from atheism constantly. 25:04 foreign language 25:07 What in your experience do you find 25:10 is sort of the key thing that causes people to consider God 25:16 and to make that change from unbelief to belief? 25:21 foreign language 25:28 Every person soul contains Christianity. 25:32 Our radio station pushes people 25:33 to make decisions in their life. 25:36 Our job isn't to make people Christian, 25:38 but to give them that little push. 25:40 To show them the next step towards Christianity. 25:45 foreign language 25:54 Nikolai, I like to ask you one more question 25:56 and that's, is this been a rewarding position for you. 26:03 foreign language 26:06 I'm doing something I love 26:08 and I know that is important for people 26:10 and because of that people come to church 26:12 and open themselves up in front of God. 26:18 Man I'm so glad you introduced me to Nikolai. 26:20 Nikolai thank you so very much, 26:21 keep up all the good work. It's good to see you again. 26:28 The apostle Paul told the people 26:30 that he was working with, 26:32 that he was telling them good news, 26:35 so that they could turn from worthless things 26:37 to the living God. 26:39 That's our mission, 26:41 that's what we're doing here with the Voice of Hope 26:44 and I'd like to invite you listeners 26:47 to pray for the people 26:48 who are searching for something to believe. 26:52 Pray for the people who are studying the Bible lessons 26:55 and trying to understand, 26:57 what direction they should have for their lives. 27:00 And pray for the studio personnel, 27:03 the people like Nikolai 27:05 who are preparing the programs 27:08 and people like Elia who are answering questions 27:11 and working with the Bible lessons. 27:14 And keep in touch with Adventist World Radio 27:17 as we trace the miracle 27:19 of changed lives around the world. 27:22 As you've seen God is touching parts in life 27:25 everywhere in the world for Jesus Christ. 27:28 If you're going to partner 27:29 with this incredible ministry, 27:30 give us a call 1866-503-3531 27:36 or you can write us at 12501, 27:38 Old Columbia Pike, Silver Spring, Maryland 27:41 or you can log on to www.awr.org. 27:46 Thank you for watching. 27:47 Please join us again 27:49 for another exciting gospel adventure, 27:50 because around the world AWR is making waves. |
Revised 2014-12-17