Member Care Radio (MCR) is a media ministry of TWR specially prepared for cross-cultural workers whose obedience to the Great Commission has taken them to difficult regions.

The program content not only reminds them of God’s promise that He is with them to the very end of the earth, but also addresses changing needs from recruitment to retirement.

Where communications through any other means may expose the worker and jeopardize their lives and ministry, this media project can effectively and compassionately serve to remind them that they are not alone nor forgotten.
People Profile

What is Our Vision?

• We see proactive member care being the norm, rather than the exception.
• We see communicating and loving families, with a healthy balance of work, life and faith.
• We see healthy Third Culture Kids (TCKs), valued as individuals in mission organisations and families.
• We see Christian workers persevere in the midst of difficult circumstances, remaining on the field in spite of strong opposition.
• We see effective teams of Christian workers walking in unity.
• We see growing churches, serving God because Christian workers are spiritually, mentally and emotionally healthy.

What is Our Goal?

Our goal is to encourage cross-cultural workers in their places of calling so that they will stay effective and fulfilled.
Isolation due to culture, language or religion can discourage otherwise healthy Christian expatriate workers. Missionaries, tentmakers, and Christians on foreign business as- signment all need encouragement to keep the 'salty' kingdom outlook on life that Jesus encouraged us to pursue.

"You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, ex- cept to be thrown out and trampled by men. " Matthew 5:13

Project Background

Most missionaries experience loneliness and a lack of support when on the field, especially in regions where open communications can endanger their ministry.

When talking to missionaries, missions leaders and member care specialists, it became clear that missionaries had a need for support, encouragement and assistance in their place of calling that mass media could meet. Mass media comes alongside people in many different places at the same time and is used as a tool to enhance the ministry of member care.

The first response, to our radio broadcasts in Central Asia writes ...
"Dear MemCare by Radio, I was greatly encouraged to hear of the possibility for a radio broadcast in English geared to workers in the field. It is greatly needed. I know there were many times when I felt lonely and depressed ... if there had been a program like this, I would definitely have listened. I believe that through such a program lots of loneliness, depression, discouragement, etc. could be prevented. At the moment, most member care is corrective. Radio would be preventive. On behalf of the workers in the field, I plead with you to pursue this radio broadcasting. It is much needed!"

Detailed Description

Each program has a special feature addressing needs of the Christian worker. This could be either done by a member care specialist, mission leaders or by workers who share their personal experiences. The program content reminds them of God's promise that he is with them to the very end of the earth, and addresses changing needs from recruitment to retirement.

This is done by:

• Reminding them of God's love and care
• Assisting them in their spiritual growth.
• Providing them with professional and helpful information
• Assuring them they have not been forgotten as they serve in difficult and lonely circumstances.

The radio programs are 15 minutes in length and distributed via short wave, medium wave (AM), satellite and on the internet.

A "Member Care Topic Library" that addresses all the issues faced from recruitment to retirement is available on the internet. This library will be made available for new sending countries, who don't have member care support in place.

A Strategic Difference

Christians living and working cross culturally usually don't have the same opportunities for close fellowship with believers as Christians in the West do. Because in most places they cannot disclose their true identity and purpose, they need to find safe ways to get the personal support they need to sustain them.

One key way to help them weather the ups and downs of cross-cultural adjustment, accompanied by periodic bouts of loneliness and discouragement, is through this unique media project. This will touch their hearts, unite them, and strengthen them. Member Care Media's goal is to reduce the attrition rate of missionaries, enhance existing member care ministries, and inspire and equip the listeners to stay effective and fulfilled

Meeting needs of local people

Isolation due to culture, language or religion can trample otherwise healthy Christian expatriate workers. Missionaries, tentmakers and Christians on foreign business assignment all need encouragement to keep the "salty" kingdom outlook on life that Jesus encouraged us to pursue.

"You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except be thrown out and trampled by men." Matthew 5:13

Individuals and Organizations Involved

For TWR there are three full-time, and two part-time members. There is cooperation and ongoing development with several mission sending organizations and member care specialists.

Media Environment

TWR is the only organization that has Member Care Radio Programs on the air.

A partnership with Link Care Center USA is established to make more resources available on the internet. www.linkcare.org