Stensaas Family

In 1996 the Capitol City Baptist Church of Austin, TX under Pastor Hank Thompson commissioned the Keith Stensaas family to be missionaries, carrying the gospel of Jesus Christ to the country of Uganda, East Africa.  Soon after arriving, Masaka Independent Baptist Church was started as well as Masaka Baptist College.  Through this church and college they have been able to see men and women trained for the ministry of serving the Lord in various capacities from pastors, deacons, church treasurers, and Sunday School teachers.  Little did they know what the Lord had in store for them and the open doors God would lead them through in the avenue of Christian media.

          In 2001, God gave the Keith Stensaas family the tremendous opportunity of establishing a Christian radio station in Uganda.  They dedicated it, Word of Life Radio, as its purpose is to proclaim the Word of Life to a lost and dying world.  Only heaven will be able to tell us the true effect that Word of Life Radio has had, but the visible results are just amazing.  In seven years, we have had two churches started as a result of the radio station, several people added to our church (including our language teacher and his family who received Christ while listening to the radio) and received numerous amounts of phone calls, letters, and personal testimonies of lives that were changed as a result of listening to Word of Life Radio.  Literally scores of people have come to know Jesus Christ listening to Word of Life Radio.  Within the hearing radius, there is not a village that we go to that has not heard this Christian radio station.  Remember, radio is still the top media outlet in Uganda!!!

If you had the opportunity of reaching 1,000,000 people with the gospel,

would you do it?

 

          Every day with Christian radio we are able to reach three entire districts in Uganda: Masaka, Rakai, and Ssembabule, plus several islands in Lake Victoria.  In these districts there are approximately one million people living and working from day to day.  Unlike developed countries that have many types of entertainment, radio is still the main source of media in Uganda.  It is listened to in the homes, the work places, the fields, and the villages.  Nearly every one has one or has access to a radio.

          Although the radio is not nearly as expensive to operate as in developed countries, it does cost us about $1,500 dollars a month to fully operate the station.  Since the beginning, we have been able to operate the station from my own personal support.  However, with rising costs, lower exchange rates at the forex, and the need to assist men as they go out to start churches - the full amount of money is no longer available.  We have had to cut back on many things necessary to a radio station, including staff.  As of March 3, 2009, we have $350 coming in on a monthly basis for Word of Life Radio.  We are asking the Lord to give us an additional $650 support for the radio station.  This will get us by with the necessities.  However, if we do not have this amount raised by the end of June 2009 then we believe that the Lord would have us close the station until we can return to the States in 2011 for furlough.  We need your help!

          I think all of us would agree that $1,500 a month is a small price to pay to reach a possible one million people every day with the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  What an opportunity God has put before us!  Would you help us?  If twelve individuals and churches could support the radio for $100 per month or twenty-four for $50 per month, this need would be met, and Word of Life Radio would continue to have an impact on the lives of the Ugandan people.  $50 per month would allow 33,000 people every day the chance of hearing the good news of Jesus Christ.  $100 per month – 66,000 people, etc.  I believe you see the tremendous opportunity this is.  The following is the proposed monthly budget for Word of Life Radio:

                   $470 – Four staff members

                   $380 – Utilities (including internet news access)

                   $150 – License Fees

                   $500 – Escro (updating & servicing equipment; misc. monthly needs)

                   $1,500 - Total

          I truly know what Paul had in his heart when he told the Philippians, “Not because I desire a gift: but I desire fruit that may abound to you account.”  A radio station takes a lot of time and work, and there is no money-making in a faith-based radio station.  However, it is worth it to me to see one more soul come to know Christ through this ministry.  Would you pray about helping us financially?  Would you add Word of Life Radio to your prayer list and pray for us every day?  I know that you will see fruit on your account in heaven.   

 

**For further information please visit our website: www.wolr103.com