Churches Must Invest in Media to Spread the Gospel -ECWA President

The President of Evangelical Church Winning All, ECWA, Rev. Dr. Stephen Baba Panya has described the media as a great channel for Evangelism because of its wide coverage.

Speaking at the 70th anniversary of Eternal Love Winning All, (ELWA) Radio and a history book launch which was held at the ECWA Headquarters Church recently, the President underscored the great role of the media as a tool in reaching out to the wider population with the gospel.

In his words, “anybody that does not invest in media would just be left behind and you will not be relevant again in terms of reaching today’s generation…so the Church has to be involved with the changing scenario… so we have to adapt to using all forms of technological media channels now in order to preach the gospel and to reach out to people.

“In many instances there are places that the evangelist cannot physically go and there are also cases where the countries would just prevent the spreading of the gospel but through the airwaves, most of the time the gospel is able to be preached in the closed region or countries.” He added.

Delivering sermon at the event, the guest speaker, Rev. Commando Dogo Gani, who is the Director, Air force Military Chaplain, read Romans 10: 12-21, Psalm 29:3-7, and spoke on the topic, “The power of hearing.” He defined hearing as a channel of facilitating words to the understanding of individuals or group of persons.

The preacher drew the attention of guests at the occasion to the need to understand the power of media and need to support it for the sustainability of the dream vision of the forefathers who established the medium.

Earlier in a welcome address, the Director, Radio ELWA, Rev. Abel Samu appreciated God and the support of the ECWA Executive in the past Seven decades of the medium.

He said despite the numerus challenges faced by the Radio station, there is need to thank God for His grace, mercies, provisions, protection and faithfulness to Radio ELWA for the past 70 years.

He explained reasons for dedicating the ELWA historical book, noting that the monumental impact of Radio ELWA yesterday, today and tomorrow are aptly captured by the authors of the book.

The director used the occasion to make a special appeal for the sustainability of the media outfit, considering the current economic realities in the country.

He appealed specifically to the ECWA Executive and General Church Council to double their funding grants to help meet their salaries and operational expenses, undertake the full payment of ELWA staff salaries and to restore the annual ELWA week of prayers that will be rounded up with special collections for the department.

The Director added that proceeds of the 70th anniversary and the book launch will all be used to equip Radio ELWA studios for the propagation of the gospel.

Reviewing the book, the book reviewer, Prof. Haruna Ayuba, the Vice Chancellor of the Church University, Bingham University, said the Book which is Titled “ELWA Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow is a 131 pages book with 16 chapters.

He appreciated the thourogh work done by the writers in going deep in the history of the Radio ELWA and described the station as the Air force for Evangelism of ECWA. He added that the book is a must read book for all those who love the gospel.

Governor Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau State was represented by his Special Adviser on religious affairs, Rev. Dr. Steven Dangana where he appreciated the work of the radio station and by extension the church in the area of preaching the gospel of love and peace.

There were goodwill messages by the Chairman, Plateau State Traditional Council of Chiefs and Emirs, the Gbong Gwom Jos, Da Jacob Gyang Buba represented by Agwom Izere, Rev. Dr. Isaac Wakili, Chairman, Abuja Municipal Area Council, (AMAC) Mr. Christopher Zakka among other guests.

Awards were also presented to individuals and organizations who played significant roles in sustaining the outfit, some of which are posthumous awards to the likes of Evangelist Dalhatu Abba among others.

Radio ELWA started transmission in January 1954 in Liberia and it has over 46 languages being transmitted. Currently, Radio ELWA is sponsoring programs in English, Hausa, Yoruba, Nupe, Olu Ndi Igbo and Gbayi in different Radio stations in Lagos, Ilorin, Bida, Abuja, Jos, Kaduna and Owerri.