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 on Saturday, 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 will not be relevant again in terms of reaching today’s generation…so the Church has to evolve 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 preached in the closed region or countries.” He added.
Delivering a sermon at the event, the guest speaker, Rev. Commando Dogo Gani who is the Director, Air force Military Chaplain, read from Romans 10: 12-21, Psalm 29:3-7. He spoke on, “The power of hearing” where he define 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 understand the power of the media and need to support its sustainability for the realization of the 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 numerous challenges faced by the Radio station, they are thanking God for His grace, mercies, provisions, protection and faithfulness to ELWA for the past 70 years.
Rev. Samu explained the reason 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.
While assuring the gathering that the proceeds realized at the event will be used to equip Radio ELWA studios, Rev. Samu made a special appeal to the ECWA leadership to double their grants to help meet their 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.
Reviewing the book, the book reviewer, Prof. Haruna Ayuba, who is the Vice Chancellor, Bingham University, said the 16 chapters book which is Titled “ELWA Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow has 131 pages.
He appreciated the thorough work done by the writers 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 most read for all those who love the gospel.
Governor Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau State represented by his Special Adviser on religious affairs, Rev. Dr. Steven Dangana, 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 from 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 were posthumous awards to the likes of Evangelist Dalhatu Abdu among others.
Radio ELWA started transmission in January 1954 in Liberia and it has transmitted in over 46 languages across the globe. 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.