 “As broadcasters, we have the opportunity to share who we are with our audience, talk about our family, and reflect on God’s Word. Our listeners get to see what works and doesn’t work in our life, who we are, and how much our faith means to us. Friendships are developed through the radio, and when listeners meet us, they consider us their friend. Some of my listeners even visited me when I was in the hospital and helped me at home during recovery.” --Cecil Amog
How many broadcasters have listeners visit them at the radio station? Or their home? Both of these situations happen regularly to Mar and Cecil Amog, missionaries serving in Legaspi City, Philippines, and that’s just fine with them. In fact, DWAS, the radio station from which they broadcast has a motto: if you have a problem and don’t know where to go, call station DWAS. And that’s exactly what people do! They call, they visit, and they care about Mar and Cecil. During visits to the station, several listeners have been led to the Lord. Others turn to Mar and Cecil in times of crisis.
All of this is a result of tuning in and hearing a kind voice on the radio every weekday when Cecil hosts a magazine program called Family Chat. It’s suitable for people of all ages, but especially working moms who listen from their office. Praise and worship music is played, along with popular music. Cecil shares tips on marriage, children, and relationships. She also arranges a guest speaker for each broadcast, as well as a volunteer counselor who answers listeners’ questions on the air. Mar frequently serves as a counselor on Cecil’s program, utilizing his pastoral background. The 2-hour broadcast concludes with prayer, based on concerns listeners have text messaged to the station.  Mar’s program, Music, Worship and More, is also a favorite, offered strategically on Sunday mornings between 6 and 8:30 when most Filipinos are at home. Unbelievers tune in for the devotions and music, while believers enjoy it as a prelude to their regular church service. Fifty percent of the format is devoted to worship music, which is popular with Filipinos who love anything musical. It also includes church news, inspirational quotes, devotions, and Bible principles. At one point the program was in danger of being canceled due to a lack of funds, but listeners called in and lobbied for it to continue.
With so many radio programs available in the Philippines, why are Mar and Cecil’s so popular? Legaspi City is located in an area called Bicol, one of the third most depressed regions in the Philippines. Everyone works long, hard hours to make ends meet, which often causes strained relationships. With inadequate resources to pay for counseling and very few trained therapists in the area, people turn to Mar and Cecil’s programs for spiritual guidance and sound advice. They believe that friendship evangelism is an important part of their ministry, and gaining the trust of listeners lays the groundwork for sharing the gospel.
In fact, trust led an 18-year old listener to the radio station where Mar and Cecil work. The topic of abuse had recently been discussed on Cecil’s program, and the young woman felt she could confide in Cecil.  “We could tell right away she had been abused,” Cecil explained. “She couldn’t even look at us. She told us she had been raped by her uncle, and though she had told her parents they didn’t believe her. We met with her on numerous occasions and challenged her to forgive her parents and uncle. After several sessions we began to see a change in her. Once she decided to forgive, everything changed. She held her head up and became a completely different person. With God’s grace, we were able to help her. She later pressed charges against her uncle and he was sent to prison.”
Another listener had been hurt by a previous church she attended. Mar and Cecil met with her and counseled her. Eventually she began attending the staff chapel meeting at DWAS. “She’s now a part of our church family,” Mar added.
Mar and Cecil are currently in the U.S., enjoying a brief furlough from their hectic schedule of broadcasting, preaching, and strengthening churches. They will be returning to the Philippines in the next couple of months. Their homecoming will be cause for celebration to the many listeners who call them friend.
What You Can Do
If you'd ike to make a financial contribution to the Amogs, visit their missionary page. |
