Collaboration Expands TWR Africa’s Worship Program Continentwide

TWR Africa is partnering with a brand-new Christian satellite network to expand the reach of a popular music and commentary radio program across most of the African continent.

Worship ConneXion, produced by the African branch of global media ministry TWR (also known as Trans World Radio), will air five days a week on the New Life Africa Satellite Network (NLASN) beginning June 28. The program, currently called 100% Worship and distributed via satellite in South Africa, over FM in Malawi and on the internet, features TWR Africa hosts Unathi Sithole, Thulani Mdletshe and Marinus Geyser. With a new name and broader reach, the program’s unique blend of contemporary music and engaging talk will be geared to listeners interested in knowing more about Christianity.

One listener from Malawi wrote, “I’m enjoying the 100% Worship program. I feel really good every time I tune in. All my neighbors have gathered in my house to listen to the show. Keep the fire burning! God bless you.”

Motivated by the encouraging response from Malawi and elsewhere, the partnership strives to further the reach of 100% Worship to most of Africa through NLASN’s distribution channels: the internet, mobile apps and a direct-to-home satellite that beams signals to about 50 countries on the continent. The network also has 23 local FM affiliates in seven countries and makes its broadcasts available at no cost to any station that wishes to use them.

In anticipation of the continentwide expansion of 100% Worship, producers of the program are working on adapting its content to better address the various needs of listeners across Africa. A variety of African music genres are also being added to represent the diversity found within the continent.

“We all have the desire to build the body of Christ in Africa,” TWR Chief Content Officer Jon Fugler said. “Music is so important to the African church, and we want to address that priority.”

Launched in May, NLASN is a project of Your Network of Praise (YNOP), a ministry operating 60 FM facilities in the U.S. The network broadcasts Christian music and biblical programming in English and Swahili languages.

YNOP General Manager Roger Lonnquist shared, “The founders of YNOP felt God was calling them to use radio to share the message of salvation and the hope of Jesus with their community. The partnership with TWR is an incredible step forward in sharing this message of salvation and hope with people across Africa …, and being able to use NLASN to distribute it across the continent is a tremendous opportunity in fulfillment of YNOP’s original goal.”