Gangster Steals Radio, Tunes In, Experiences New Life

Meet Mark*. Until recently, Mark was deeply burdened by years in the Mozambican military and thereafter as an armed gangster. One fateful day, Mark stole the radio which would help engineer a complete change in his lifestyle.

Mozambique is one of the world's poorest countries.² The majority of its population live below the poverty line.³ Less than one third of the population have an established, significant church.⁴ Mozambique has limped through centuries of colonial neglect: the destructive application of Marxist economic theories, and 30 years of intense guerrilla warfare.² But Mark's story says that there is hope. God can reach into any circumstance and save anyone, and with TWR (Trans World Radio) at the helm of the airways in Mozambique, there is a voice calling out in the wilderness.

Mark heard that voice. He recounts his experience as follows: "When I turned on (the radio), I was looking for any radio station. It turned on to the TWR transmission. I listened to programmes in different languages. One programme called me to pay attention". He goes on, "It was the programme, Weherya MwaYesu (Words of Hope). Pastor Mutilima was talking about crime and all kinds of sins. The pastor said that those who live in sin are enemies of Jesus and they will be judged on the last coming of Jesus".

This got Mark thinking about the second coming of Jesus, "I read the passage in Revelation: 'murderers, immoral ... idolaters and all liars, their place will be in the fiery lake of burning sulphur. This is the second death.' (Revelation 21:7-8)".

Mark didn’t just think about it, he placed his faith in Jesus and immediately set out to do the work of evangelism - "I told this message to my three other group members". The result? The whole gang took Jesus into their lives and are "testifying about His second coming to others".

May God use Mark's dramatic conversion and his friends to turn the tide in Mozambique.

1. Not his real name *
2. http://www.operationworld.org/country/moza/owtext.html
3. https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/mz.html
4. http://www.joshuaproject.net/countries.php?rog3=MZ Established,
Significant Church = greater than 2% Evangelicals