"Radio waves could go where missionaries could not enter."
Radio Christian Voice - 1994
RADIO CHRISTIAN VOICE
As work continued on the ground, CV set its sights on ministry expansion through media, particularly radio. The possibility of reaching people through the airwaves was appealing. Where permissions and visas were needed for people, radio could carry the message of Jesus in long distances, irrespective of physical or political boundaries. Radio waves could go where missionaries could not enter. But where to begin?
Following the election of Zambian President Frederick Chiluba an opportunity arose. Chiluba, being a Christian, quickly declared Zambia a ‘Christian nation,’ and later would grant CV a radio license ushering in a new era of CV’s history. Due to its geographical location, landlocked by 8 countries in central southern Africa, the idea was to build a shortwave radio station that would potentially reach not just the whole nation but stretch into surrounding countries.
The hard work then began, forming a company and purchasing land to build a shortwave antenna array and studios. A suitable farm was purchased 35 kilometres West of Zambia's capital Lusaka. With an extremely tight deadline to launch the radio station, members of the local community and the wider CV team worked tirelessly to press forward with the work, and in December 1994 Radio Christian Voice (RCV) was established.
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RCV was the first alternative to Zambia's national broadcaster and people quickly began to turn the dial and tune in to the variety of programmes offered. And although the radio project was the reason to go to Zambia, it soon became clear that there was more CV could do to impact the nation. Zambia as a CV project continued to expand, adding a Leadership Training College on site – (CVTC) where people were trained and mentored to ‘plant church planting churches.’ Later, a junior school was established on site, providing education for those who lived on site and within the local community. RCV became a well known and loved part of Zambian society and the church community alike. It will always be remembered for the important founding project it was, the many people who contributed, and the foundation of future evangelism strategies throughout CV.