YIN WEI WAS A CONFIRMED ATHEIST until a friend suggested he tune into Voice of Friendship Seminary an FEBC program broadcast by shortwave into China. Yin listened warily at first, almost turning it off, but the friendly voice drew him back each evening.
I eventually accepted Christ as my Savior and was baptized, Yin explained in a letter to FEBC. I started studying from your seminary in 1999 and continued to grow because of your nourishment. Even though I will graduate soon, I’ll continue to listen because there is so much to learn from this program. Now I am encouraging others to enroll so they will become better equipped to serve God.
Seminary Training by Radio
Voice of Friendship Seminary (VFS) grew out of a program called Seminary on the Air, established in 1979 at a time when mainland China seminaries had been closed for a number of years. VFS was the first university-level Bible curriculum offered in Communist China. Seminary-trained leaders were desperately needed as more Chinese committed their lives to Christ.
Listeners interested in any kind of Christian work can now receive the education they need, as long as they are prepared to commit to a rigorous course of study.
Students receive printed material and exams that correspond with radio program aired six days a week. They study the Old and New Testament and practical theology. Listeners who successfully complete the course of study receive certificates from the Voice of Friendship Seminary.
United Effort
All five of FEBC’s Chinese studios (Hong Kong, Taiwan, Singapore, USA, and Canada) help produce the program, which requires hours of labor to record, correct exams, and correspond with students. In 2005 1,113 new students enrolled in the program, double the number from the previous year. Listeners to the Voice of Friendship Seminary continue to send us the largest number of responses, with over 5,000 pieces of mail per year.
Strengthening the Chinese Church
Raymond Lo, Executive Director of FEBC-Hong Kong, has watched with enthusiasm as the number of students continues to grow.
“We concentrate on equipping pastors and volunteers through the VFS classes,” he recently said, “because they will have a great influence on their church and bless many people. But we are also encouraged to hear that some listen simply to deepen their own faith. VFS is strengthening the Chinese Church by increasing believers’ Bible knowledge and combating false teaching.”
FEBC’s commitment to bring “Christ to the World by Radio” remains as strong as ever, and the Voice of Friendship Seminary is one example of radio’s ability to transform lives through the knowledge of Christ.
Learn More> Read letter excerpts from Voice of Friendship students
> FEBC Chinese Ministries on the Web
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