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On TWR

1. What does TWR do?

   TWR (formerly known as Trans World Radio) exists to reach the world for Jesus Christ. Speaking fluently in more than 200 languages and dialects, and broadcast from over 2000 outlets, our global media outreach engages millions in 160 countries with biblical truth.

   TWR began its first broadcast from Tangier, Morocco in 1954. Since then, God has enabled TWR to help lead people from doubt to decision to discipleship. Together with international partners, local churches and other ministries, TWR provides relevant programming, discipleship resources and dedicated workers to spread hope to individuals and communities around the globe.

   Whether using high-powered radio to reach people in the Middle East and Latin America, streaming content to Internet users in Asia and Europe or visiting face-to-face with listeners in Africa, TWR leaves a lasting spiritual footprint.

2. Why the change in name?

   While our commitment to radio and broadcasting remains unchanged, TWR is a multifaceted media ministry. TWR seeks to continuously employ new strategic media platforms and a variety of modern technology to engage its global audience. TWR also conducts programs and projects on-the-ground to minister to listeners and their community where possible, in culturally relevant ways.

   To reflect the expanding scope of the ministry, which is more than just radio, the name was officially changed to TWR on 18 November 2009.

3. Where are TWR’s offices located?

   TWR International has its corporate office in North Carolina, USA. We have four main regional offices in the United States, Europe, Africa, and Asia.

   Many more offices and partners can be found worldwide in countries such as Uruguay, Canada, Austria, Finland, Swaziland, South Africa, Hong Kong and Nepal.

4. How is TWR-Asia different from TWR?

   TWR-Asia is the regional headquarters of TWR’s ministry in Asia. It is located in Singapore, and is registered as the branch office of TWR International.

   TWR-Asia ministers specifically in Asia, across 20 countries:

   Afghanistan, Australia, Bangladesh, Cambodia, China, East Timor, India, Indonesia, Japan, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Republic of Korea, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam.

 
Our Christian program broadcasts

5. Where does TWR-Asia broadcast from / to?

   In Asia, TWR broadcasts mainly via shortwave from Guam and mediumwave from Sri Lanka. In addition, there are more than 200 local FM stations across Asia broadcasting TWR’s programs and engaging people in their own languages and dialects. TWR-Asia also broadcasts via satellite radio in Japan, and the Internet in countries such as the Philippines, India, Vietnam, and China.

6. When did TWR-Asia first begin broadcasts?

   The first broadcast in Asia was to China, from Guam, in 1977.

7. How many languages does TWR-Asia broadcast in?

   TWR-Asia broadcasts in more than 80 languages and dialects across Asia.

8. What kind of programs does TWR-Asia broadcast?

   TWR-Asia broadcasts different types of programs, covering a variety of topics and catering to different audiences. This ranges from Bible study programs to train church leaders, health programs for women, dramatized Bible stories for oral communicators*, and Bible story programs for children.

9. Does TWR only broadcast programs?

   In addition to broadcasting programs, TWR also has on-the-ground projects. These projects complement the broadcasts, and minister not just to listeners, but also aim to reach out to those who will benefit from the help and assistance that these projects bring. Examples include youth camps, food and Bible distribution, and Sunday school classes for children, and holistic care for the needy.

10. Where can I listen to your programs?

    You may refer to the schedule and listen to audio samples of programs broadcast in Asia. To get a full listing of the program schedules for broadcasts around the world, visit TWR’s broadcast schedule page.

 
Areas of TWR’s ministry

11. What areas of ministry does TWR-Asia focus on?

    TWR-Asia’s ministry is built around six different areas of focus or tracks, also known as our Global Strategic Plans (GSPs). They are:

    • Women
    • Youth and Children
    • Oral Communicators
    • Holistic Health
    • Church Leadership and Development
    • Extending the Reach of God’s Word
      (through the leveraging of technology for greater ministry impact)

     

12. Who do you minister to?

    TWR-Asia ministers to both believers and pre-believers in twenty countries across Asia, based on the six Global Strategic Plans. These include women, youth and children who are in need of physical help; oral communicators who need to hear God’s Word in their own language; HIV/AIDS sufferers and their families; as well as church leaders and members who wish to learn more about the Bible — so that they may be discipled and adequately equipped to teach God’s Word.

 
Funding and fund-raising

13. How is TWR-Asia funded?

    TWR-Asia is funded through five main avenues:

    • Sponsorship of GSP projects
    • Program broadcast sponsorship
    • Missionary funding
    • Staff support raising
    • Donations / love gifts

     

14. How are staff members currently being funded / supported?

    While there are staff members who have committed to raising all or part of their own support, there are also those who are fully salaried.

    All staff are strongly encouraged to raise a portion of their own support each year. Missionaries currently raise all of their own support.

15. Why the need for staff to raise their own support?
    Is the ministry facing financial difficulty?

    One of the main reasons for support-raising is to grow the faith of staff, and trust in God who provides all our resources.

    The philosophy of interdependency and the spiritual ministry of support-raising also allow staff and their supporters to become vessels of blessings to one another, and to TWR.

    Another reason is to build partnerships and work together with others to build God’s Kingdom. Of course, any funds raised will go towards helping the financial state of the ministry.

16. Is it compulsory for your staff to raise their own support?

    While it has not been made compulsory, staff are strongly encouraged to come alongside the ministry’s initiative in raising support.

    It is encouraging to note that more staff are taking up the challenge every year, and are doing a good job with raising support.

17. Why start only now?

    Support-raising is something that we have encouraged for some time, so it is not something that just started. In fact, some of the staff were already raising their own support previously.

18. How much of their salary is each staff member expected to raise?

    To help salaried staff make the transition into the support-raising model, each staff member has been encouraged to meet an initial faith goal of seven percent of their salary. This percentage will be reviewed annually.

    As the staff is blessed, they may raise beyond this goal. Appointed missionaries currently raise 100 percent of their salary.

 
On giving

19. How much do I have to give, and for how long?

    The amount you would like to give, and the duration of the support, is entirely up to you. We encourage you to pray about it and make the decision based on what God has placed in your heart. We would love to have you partner us for as long as God leads you to.

    If you wish, you may speak with the staff involved to get a more accurate idea of what his or her specific needs are.

20. Am I only restricted to contributing towards staff salaries?

    While the main purpose of individual support-raising by staff is to raise their own salaries, there are no restrictions to what you can contribute to. If you feel so led, you may contribute towards ministry projects of TWR-Asia, or towards the general fund.

21. How will my donation be used?

    If you give towards staff salaries, the money will go fully towards covering the basic salary of that particular staff.

    If you give towards a broadcast program or GSP project, 15 percent will go to covering administrative expenses.

22. Where can I get information regarding TWR’s financial statements?

    TWR is a member of ECFA (Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability) and also participates in the Combined Federal Campaign (CFC), the world’s largest and most successful annual workplace charity campaign.

    TWR’s financial statements can be viewed at its ECFA Member Profile page.

23. What methods can I use if I want to contribute financially?

    You may give securely via credit card. If you do not have a credit card, your contribution may be sent via cheque (payable to Trans World Radio) and mailed to our Singapore office at:

    85 Playfair Road,
    #04-01,
    Tong Yuan Industrial Building,
    Singapore 368000

    Please specify the country, ministry or project you are giving to on the reverse side of the cheque.

    Your contribution may also be sent via telegraphic transfer to:-

    Account Name: TRANS WORLD RADIO
    Bank Name: DBS Bank Ltd
    Bank Address: 6 Shenton Way, DBS Building, Singapore 068809
    Bank A/C No (USD): 0001-000690-01-2-022
    Bank A/C No (SGD): 028-005550-1
    SWIFT Code No: DBSSSGSG

    If you wish to set up a recurring gift through GIRO, you may download the GIRO forms for UOB and DBS. You will also need to send your standing instructions to us using this form. If you have an account with other banks, please refer to their respective websites for the GIRO forms.

    Tax exemptions are dependent on local laws and guidelines. Please check with your local TWR office whether your donations are tax-deductible.

24. If I am unable to give financially, is there any other way I can contribute?

    You may support the staff and the ministry through prayer. Prayer support is the bedrock to any Christian ministry. Alternatively, you may choose to volunteer your time and skills, and serve directly alongside us in our ministry to Asia. Do contact our HR department at hr@twr.org if you wish to volunteer with us.

    You may also wish to take part in mission trips, visit TWR-Asia’s work in the field, and experience first-hand what God is doing through TWR in Asia. To find out about upcoming trips, drop us a note.