Central and East Europe
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Home to some of the most unwanted or forgotten people groups in Europe, this region is often overlooked in faith-based communities. Capitalizing on multiple media resources, TWR is ministering not only to those who have remained in-country, but native speakers making their homes abroad as well.
Ministry Highlights
Women of Hope in Serbia
In Serbia, our team’s Women of Hope ministry reaches hundreds of women and is instrumental in producing and distributing Bibles and other literature to an audience across various Balkan countries. With biblical teaching through prayer and radio programming, we help women to see their true worth in God’s eyes.
Our careful translation and production contextualizes content to make the gospel not only relevant but understandable and is the backbone of our efforts in this corner of the world.
Home Bible Study in Hungary
Our ministry to the people of Hungary uses Home Bible Study programs to foster Christian community and provide biblical teaching from right within the home. Media has allowed us to not only produce over 170 episodes of dynamic visual content in local heart languages, but also publish extensive gospel content to reach audiences that could not otherwise be physically reached.
Podcasts in Slovakia
We are reaching out to the younger generation of Slovakia with popular, on-demand podcasts! In Radio 7’s first year of launching the medium, they received thousands of downloads and their series continue to touch the hearts of many. Radio7sk is now available for free on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Podbean and many other podcast platforms.
Studying the Bible Together in Ukraine
Established at the end of 2020, Studying the Bible Together is a program produced specifically for the Ukrainian audience. The project invites a variety of local Christian leaders and scholars come to the studio and share their insights for in-depth, inspiring Bible study aimed at helping audiences understand its worth and value. The study has proven particularly helpful in times of social isolation and has allowed thousands of Christians and unbelieving listeners to remain in the Word of God, despite being physically away from their churches.
Belarus History in Belarus
A truly unique local program, Belarus History is a 10-minute program which airs weekly for the people of Belarus. This conversational, educational program is hosted by a professional historian and sheds light on the Christian history within Belarus and its impact on the country.
Running to Win in Russia
Listeners embark on a transformative journey with Running to Win in Russia, where navigating the race of life becomes an inspiring adventure. With the Bible at the forefront, the program encourages listeners, leading them to triumphantly reach the finish line. This series is produced by the team in Russia and is aired via medium-wave (AM) and digital channels.
Featured Projects in Central and East Europe
As war rages on, fear and hopelessness abound in Ukraine and Belarus. Families are separated, poverty is on the rise, and fear...
The Roma people (formerly known as Gypsies) of Central and Eastern Europe have been marginalized for centuries and experience...
The countries of Europe are secular, post-Christian societies, and the rate of attempted suicide among young people is...
During the global pandemic, people have begun reading the Bible and searching for God as never before, and TWR has stepped up...
Aida in Serbia
Shalom Romalen program listener in the Roma language
“The future without God would be very uncertain to me. But God has always encouraged me. Often these encouragements came through these Christian radio programs in the Roma language. I like to listen in my mother language because it is much more understandable and clearer to me.”
Andrzej in Poland
Thru the Bible program listener
“In a few weeks’ time I leave prison. I know that this is the intervention of God because I asked God in prayer to open the eyes of those who would judge me to see my change. I have a place to go and I have a job. I really thank God for that. I do not want to forget what the Lord has done for me!”
Volodymyr in Ukraine
Beacon of Hope program listener
"Greetings, dear brothers, and sisters in Christ! I am grateful to you for your sermons. I live in the village, and I listen to your programs all the time. My neighbours also listen to TWR, so I have faith that time will come, and God will touch their hearts."
Denis in Russia
Bread of Life program listener
"I love your radio programs! I work as a taxi driver, and constantly listen to your radio station in my car, so unbelievers think about what they hear. They also like Christian songs that are played on Pure Wave, and no one asks to turn the radio off! Hallelujah! Glory to our Lord!"
Updates from Central and East Europe
Feb 7, 2024,
On the road with Jan Benson
Meet Jan Benson who recently began serving as assistant director for TWR's Slavic ministries. He talks...
Jan 16, 2024,
God's Work in Ukraine, Tatarstan and Belarus
The Ukraine team interviews Christians in war-torn cities, an outreach in Tatarstan presents the gospel in...
Nov 20, 2023,
Authentic narratives fan a flame of hope for Balkan women
From small beginnings in Serbia and Croatia, TWR’s Women of Hope programs are quickly gaining popularity,...
Sep 21, 2023,
Content + Delivery = Hope for Ukraine
An unmarked warehouse in this town of 5,703 people contains a ministry that has touched people in 104...
Sep 11, 2023,
A Christian Approach to Media Literacy: Sorting Fact From Fiction
We live in an age of information overload. This isn’t a new phenomenon. Think of King Solomon’s words in...
Jul 25, 2023,
Ukraine Update: Storytelling in Ministry
TWR Ukraine is using real-life stories to communicate biblical truths. An impressive example is the project...
Jun 12, 2023,
Planting Spiritual Seeds in Russia and Ukraine
In a world often marked by division and strife, a team in Russia has embarked on a mission to spread hope,...
Apr 17, 2023,
Ukraine Update: TWR Ukraine Sees Big Leap in Social Media Traffic
In March, Alexander Chmut, the Ukraine team’s director, continued his series Monday with Chmut with a...
Mar 10, 2023,
Desperate Conditions Afflicting Syria
Syrians feel alone and isolated from the world. Due to the ongoing civil war, they already lacked security...
Feb 22, 2023,
Amid War’s Destruction, God Builds TWR Ukraine’s Ministry
As an anxious world reflects on the one-year anniversary of war in Ukraine, TWR’s partners in the war zone...
Feb 22, 2023,
A Global Call to Prayer for Russia, Ukraine and Belarus
With no signs that the war in Ukraine will end soon, we’re calling on the TWR family and beyond to devote...
Jan 18, 2023,
Ukraine Update: A Different Belarus
Believers in Belarus are quietly going about their work of ministering to the hurting, while the TWR...
Dec 21, 2022,
Ukraine Update: Light in the Darkness
A text read in many churches at Christmas has special resonance to the team at TWR Ukraine this year: “The...
Nov 30, 2022,
Ukraine Update: Ministering in Mortal Danger
The missiles keep raining down and ministry grows ever harder, but TWR Ukraine’s staff sees this as a time...
Nov 16, 2022,
Ukraine Update: The Gospel by Candlelight
The TWR Ukraine studio was illuminated by candlelight. Power banks were charged, and a battery was ready...
Oct 26, 2022,
Ukraine Update: Still Being Heard
Recent drone attacks have severely damaged Ukrainian infrastructure. The conflict rages on.
Yet the voice...
Oct 11, 2022,
Ukraine Update: ‘No fear in my heart’
Alexander Chmut and other members of the TWR Ukraine team report an extraordinary sense of peace when...
Sep 29, 2022,
Ukraine Update: Pastor, scholar, soldier
In a season of war, many people who perhaps never envisioned a military career find themselves on the front...
Sep 8, 2022,
Assignment Europe: Every Language
The picture of the body as a redeemed people from every tribe and language and people and nation...
Sep 7, 2022,
Assignment Europe: The Marriage Feast
John Lundy reports from TWR's 2022 National Partners Conference for Europe and CAMENA (Central Asia, Middle...
Sep 6, 2022,
Assignment Europe: Why National Partners?
Per Birkeli of Norea Media Mission of Norway is among 90-plus people representing 32 organizations at TWR’s...
Sep 2, 2022,
Ukraine Update: Summer of Service
Their country is at war, and most of them are separated from family members. They’ve provided a steady...
Aug 22, 2022,
Ukraine Update: Independence Day
In Ukraine, Independence Day takes place on Aug. 24, a reminder of that date in 1991 when the country...
Aug 17, 2022,
Ukraine Update: Blessings in Belarus
As Ukrainians prepare to celebrate their Independence Day on Aug. 24, numerous media reports this week...
Aug 10, 2022,
Ukraine Update: Roma Revival?
A spiritual awakening appears to be occurring amid the horrors of war in Ukraine.
Henrietta*, the...
Aug 4, 2022,
Ukraine Update: Supernatural Protection
Even as the first shipment of grain from Ukraine since the war began makes its way toward Lebanon,...
Jul 29, 2022,
Ukraine Update: ‘Fresh Air’ Amid the War Clouds
As the war rages on in Ukraine, feedback from our partner’s audience members frequently radiates a spirit...
Jul 21, 2022,
Ukraine Update: ‘A Great Spiritual Work’
Life is not only dangerous, but the pace is frenetic for people serving with TWR in a time and place of...
Jul 14, 2022,
Ukraine Update: Choosing Christ Is Never More Urgent
Life takes on a terrible sense of urgency for those living in an active war zone.
For most of us living in...
Jul 13, 2022,
It Was Hard to Get Mad at This Leader
When TWR veteran missionary Dick Olson passed away in Cary, North Carolina, on July 2, 2022, we turned to...
Jul 7, 2022,
Ukraine Update: Despite War, God’s Work Goes On
The courageous efforts of our contacts in Ukraine, Russia and Belarus continually bring to mind the words...
Jun 29, 2022,
Ukraine Update: Shock from mall attack
The Ukrainian industrial city of Kremenchuk entered the war in a more extreme way on Monday, June 27, when...
Jun 22, 2022,
Ukraine Update: A ‘Chance’ Encounter
Dirk Muller, international director for TWR Europe, was attending a luncheon that followed worship at a...
Jun 9, 2022,
Ukraine Update: A Meaningful Gift
Last Monday, a thousand power banks arrived at the TWR office in Bratislava, Slovakia. Soon, they’ll be in...
Jun 2, 2022,
Ukraine Update: War Can't Drown Out God's Calling
Committed to sharing the gospel with their beleaguered countrymen no matter what comes their way, our...
May 26, 2022,
Ukraine Update: ‘God’s Special Protection’
Although the bulk of the fighting is in the east, the situation across Ukraine remains very dangerous. Yet...
May 18, 2022,
Ukraine Update: Serving in Belarus
The hardships inflicted by the war in Ukraine are affecting Russia and Belarus as well, reports Frank...
May 12, 2022,
Ukraine Update: Ukrainians in Russia
As of May 10 more than 750,000 Ukrainians had taken refuge in Russia since the war began, according to the...
May 5, 2022,
Ukraine Update: Serving in the Rubble
As war continues around them, members of TWR Ukraine are continuing to speak hope to others in their...
Apr 27, 2022,
Ukraine Update: God Is at Work
The war between Russia and Ukraine seems unrelenting, but people in both countries still are hearing and...
Apr 20, 2022,
Ukraine Update: TWR’s Growing Voice
We’re grateful to announce that the voice of TWR is becoming more readily available in Ukraine and Russia,...
Apr 11, 2022,
Ukraine Update: Livestream for Refugees
Words and music of hope are now available to Ukrainian refugees, 24/7, from TWR.
The service, featuring...
Apr 8, 2022,
Ukraine Update: Return to Kyiv
Exciting news: The leader of TWR-Ukraine and his family will move back to the Kyiv area in the very near...
Apr 5, 2022,
Speaking Jesus to Ukraine Refugees
Just one day after Russian forces invaded Ukraine, we received an email from the head of global broadcast...
Mar 31, 2022,
Ukraine Update: ‘You Bring Love’
It wasn’t the 30th birthday TWR Ukraine had imagined.
As we reported yesterday, March 30 marked the 30...
Mar 30, 2022,
Celebrating in Ukraine Despite the War
Today, we celebrate and honor TWR Ukraine on their 30th anniversary.
When the missiles began flying, TWR...
Mar 28, 2022,
Ukraine Update: Spiritual Renewal
A little-told story amid the tragic war in Ukraine is about how God is at work there.
At TWR, through our...
Mar 24, 2022,
Ukraine Update: Turning to Hope
Amid the bombardment of the war, visits to TWR360 abundant Christian audio, video and text have increased...
Mar 21, 2022,
Ukraine Update: Rediscovering God Despite Chaos
We continue to be amazed, humbled and inspired by the daily efforts of our ministry partners in Eastern...
Mar 18, 2022,
Ukraine Update: Your Giving Matters
With your financial support, a partner in a bordering country was able to provide TWR Ukraine families with...
Mar 16, 2022,
Ukraine Update: ‘In the Lions’ Den’
Our amazing Ukraine team is continuing to record and produce biblical programming for the people of their...
Mar 14, 2022,
Ukraine Update: Still Standing
In this the third week of the war in Ukraine, we have encouraging news to share: Not only are all of the...
Mar 11, 2022,
Ukraine Update: In Season of War, Amazing Grace
The war in Ukraine grinds on, taking a horrifying toll. Yet we can report again, on March 11 – Day 15 of...
Mar 9, 2022,
Ukraine Update: Goods, Good News Delivered
Not only are programs of hope still being heard in Ukraine on AM radio, but content for this time and this...
Mar 7, 2022,
Ukraine Update: After Odyssey, Ukrainian Family Reaches Safety
The war clouds still darken the skies over Ukraine, but fragments of joyful news frequently emerge from the...
Mar 4, 2022,
Ukraine Update: Still broadcasting hope
As bullets and missiles continue to fly and as even a nuclear plant came under attack on Day 9 of the...
Mar 3, 2022,
Ukraine Update: Heal the Nations, Lord
As we receive scattered reports from our brothers and sisters in Russia, Ukraine and Belarus, we’re eager...
Mar 1, 2022,
Ukraine update: ‘Ask the Lord to intervene’
“Humanly speaking it is looking bleak, and the suffering is immense,” wrote Stephenson, who is gathering...
Feb 28, 2022,
Ukraine Update: Answered prayer for fuel
In addition to the search for fuel and long waits, food shortages are affecting the people of Ukraine....
Feb 27, 2022,
Ukraine Update: TWR’s Ukrainian partners evacuate Kyiv area (cont.)
Thank the Lord, we have still received no word indicating that any of our team members in the region have...
Feb 26, 2022,
Ukraine Update: TWR’s Ukrainian partners evacuate Kyiv area
As of late Saturday, Feb. 26, all of those in our Ukrainian team are alive and accounted for. After taking...
Feb 25, 2022,
Ukraine Update: As Missiles Fly, Believers Pray for Peace
As military action breaks out in Ukraine, the local contacts of Trans World Radio (TWR) faithfully and...
Feb 24, 2022,
Ukraine Update: Sharing Messages of Hope Along the Front lines of the Donbas Region
As military action breaks out in Ukraine, the local contacts of Trans World Radio (TWR) faithfully and...
Jan 26, 2022,
Gospel Broadcasts to Ukraine and Russia Offer Hope During Uncertainty
With Russian and Ukrainian relations currently being particularly strained and the threat of a violent...
Jan 22, 2022,
Responding to Growing Spiritual Hunger in Iran
The fascinating complexity of the history and associated cultures and religions of Iran, as well as the...
May 24, 2020,
Finding and Sharing Encouragement
"God is not anxious. He is not worried about the future. And neither do we need to be concerned about what...
Apr 12, 2020,
The Dawn Will Come: Easter in the Days of Coronavirus
Pondering the events of Holy Week is timely, of course, with Easter season upon us. Perhaps you, too, are...
Jan 20, 2020,
Profile of a Spiritual Warrior
Petr Malec had been a Christian for many years, even serving for 10 years as a missionary, and his...
