Shadrack, Meshack, and Abednego had quite the audience at the beginning of this month. Around four million in fact. Of course, they have had an infinite number of listeners throughout history in the written Word. But the first Sunday of this month, I was able to preach a sermon to around four million listeners over the radio here in Rwanda.
This month we have had the opportunity to join with our pastor on his weekly radio program, which broadcasts locally in Rwanda, to the surrounding countries of Uganda, Burundi, and Tanzania, and also reaches out worldwide through the almighty power the world wide web.
This experience was loaded with many “firsts” for me. This was the first official time I was delivering a sermon, the first time I've ever been inside a radio studio (much less a radio studio in Africa), and of course the first time I have ever spoken on the radio. What a shock when all of my expectations were blown out of the water.
I wasn't really sure what to expect of a radio station and studio in Africa, but definitely not what I saw. The studio was absolutely pristine. White counters, modern white chairs, a huge flat screen up on the wall. The deejay had the legitimate radio headphones on, and welcomed us into the studio. I sat down behind one of the daunting microphones, and took a few deep breaths as Pastor and his wife opened up the show, clearing the way for my sermon to begin.
Pastor welcomed me in the Rwandan language, and I began. My stomach was churning at first, but once I began to speak, the fear dissipated and God came down and spoke through me. The pastor's wife translated for me so that the listeners could understand what I was saying.
God had laid the message of Shadrack, Meshack, and Abednego on my heart, and the tale of their incredible faith. So that is what I spoke on for the twenty minutes that I had. It was a humbling experience, feeling God's word and message pour through me, recounting the daring tale of these three men who stood in the face of fear and said “No, our God is faithful and sovereign.”
After I was finished, I exhaled and walked outside as Pastor's wife concluded the program. Not soon after, pastor came out and joined us, and handed me his cell phone. There was a woman's voice on the other end and she was telling me “Thank you, God bless you, God bless you.”
There were several other calls throughout the day. One from Burundi, some from Rwanda. All saying “Thank you for your words. They touched me. God bless.”
That was the most humbling part right there. Because it was not my words, but God's words. And I knew it was all for His glory. How humbling to know that God allows us, imperfect, fallen people, to speak His words of life into others. How humbling to hear that those words were received, how they touched lives.
Preaching and teaching has been a very large part of our ministry here this month. Something that I was nervous and hesitant about at first, but completely love now. It is a whole new way to experience God's power and love. To feel His words and life coursing through me, and being able to speak that out and encourage other believers, and be mutually encouraged by their faith and response. And it is not at all ever for my glory, but entirely for God's glory.
How awesome is our God!
