Mozambique: Disciples Making Disciples

Amidst the ongoing coronavirus pandemic in a politically restless country, TWR Mozambique (RTM Moçambique) ceaselessly endeavours to walk alongside locals in many areas of life, while broadcasting the Good News throughout the nation.

Situated in Southeastern Africa, Mozambique’s recent war torn history, natural disasters, and political instability have all contributed to various endemics, mass poverty, poor infrastructure, and a higher infant mortality rate. The colonial struggle for independence, followed by a civil war only ending in 1992, cost long-term damage to the country’s health capital and economic strength.

Due to lockdowns since March 2020, the country experienced a contraction in GDP. Up to one million Mozambicans fell below the poverty line in 2020 alone, as service activities as well as the hospitality and tourism industries have plummeted financially.
As Mozambique struggles to combat the pandemic and revitalize its economy, RTM highlights a vital element that people still need: an accurate and truthful understanding of Jesus. RTM aims to walk alongside believers and non-believers in an attempt to share the Truth with these people.

“The biggest need of the [Mozambican] people is healthy discipleship. Mozambique is being invaded by new ‘churches’ or sects with erroneous and corrupt teachings,” said Maria Taibo, RTM Mozambique Program Manager. “We need a stronger ministry geared towards adolescents and young people. These ministries and churches are more centred around its leaders or artifacts. Here, one loses or progressively removes the person of Jesus. People are not taught to love God, but instead to pursue God’s blessings, and His favour,” she said.

Because of this, RTM aims to establish a relationship with its listeners in order to guide them away from false teachings and towards an understanding of what the Gospel really is.

“Our mission is to produce programmes while looking to be as present as possible to the lives of our listeners through meetings and events,” Maria said.
RTM partners with organizations such as the Biblical and Theological Institute of Maputo (Instituto Bíblico e Teologico de Maputo) and the Centre of Leadership Development (Centro de Desenvolvimento de Liderança) to produce programmes centred around theological and biblical teaching. Listeners are encouraged to participate and call in to the show.

“We also have a partnership with the Family and Adolescent Future Association (Associação Futuro de Jovem e Familia) — an association of Christian psychologists. Together we produce and present programmes, and give families psychological help.” Maria added. “We offer legal assistance for our listeners as well, through the Association of Christian Lawyers (Associação de Advogados Cristãos),” she continued, “There is much injustice. A lot of corruption in terms of access to court.”

RTM’s ministry has reaped abundant fruit over the years, as the programmes geared toward theological training have helped develop many church leaders and pastors over the years.

“RTM’s impact is positive,” Maria said. “When we had programmes in other languages (Shangana, Xitswa, Ndau, Lomwe, Chuabo, Kimwane), RTM was practically the training channel for leaders in rural and semi-rural areas throughout the country. Through RTM various churches were planted. Our best and biggest responses come from the Thru the Bible programme.”

However, despite encouraging results and fruitful effects of the ministry surfacing, RTM Mozambique still requires prayer for various ministerial and logistical needs.

“Yes, pray, and always.” Maria said. “Pray that we may air new programmes, for children, teenagers, men, and discipleship. Pray that we may expand our FM reach. We need to have a presence on the internet, and we need technological and technical upgrades. We need more human resource staff, committed to the Lord.”

As RTM focuses on the area of discipleship and biblical training, one area severely lacking in staff is the ministry towards young people.

“I’m a Sunday school teacher for teenagers,” Maria added. “We really feel this necessity. At this moment we don’t have any programme on the radio geared towards adolescents and young adults. We need more workers.”

“The harvest is plentiful,” Jesus once said, “but the workers are few” (Matt 9:35-38). As RTM continues to navigate life together with listeners through both the pandemic and an economic recession, keep these ministerial needs in your prayers. Pray that more workers may be sent to the field, that this harvest may continue to grow.