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BENGAL:
MEETINGS FOR LISTENERS WITH SPIRITUAL AND PHYSICAL FOOD


Although the nation of Bangladesh has proclaimed freedom of religion, the large Muslim majority has made it difficult to be a Christian. Muslims who become Christians meet stiff opposition from their relatives and from the Muslim leaders. The Christians in the area of West Bengal face the same sort of opposition from the Muslim majority. There is persecution against those who convert to Christianity among the Hindus as well. Some people have been disowned by their families because of converting to Christianity.

3,000 LETTERS FROM LISTENERS

IBRA Radio began broadcasting to the Bengal region in 1988 with three weekly programs and almost no staff. Today, the ministry has grown to include 5 weekly programs and a response of about 3,000 letters each month. Most people who write in express a general interest in the programs or want to know more about Christianity. Several hundred letters each month express a deeper interest in the Christian faith. These people are offered a correspondence course to help lead them to faith. About one person each day writes and says that they have accepted Jesus as their Savior. Last year, six follow up meetings were arranged in various parts of Bangladesh and a couple in West Bengal, and the radio listeners were invited to attend. The listeners are very interested in meeting the people who produce the programs they listen to.

SHOWING THE JESUS FILM

The meetings with the listeners provide a good opportunity to share the Gospel and to give direct answers to their questions. Many have to travel a long ways and so the meetings last for two days. Food is provided. The first evening, the Jesus Film is shown and this raises a number of questions which can be asked the next day. At the end of the two day meetings, many people answer "yes" to the question as to whether they would like to take Jesus as their Savior. The IBRA workers also take the opportunity to introduce the people to the local church as well as to the pastors and evangelists who work in that area. They will be the ones who try and keep in touch with the listeners. One of the evangelists recently reported that 25 of the listeners who had attended the meetings had been baptized and three new churches had been formed.
   

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