As one of TWR’s longest-standing partners, Evangeliums Rundfunk (ERF) Medien, a German Christian media broadcasting company, will celebrate their 60th anniversary in October 2019. Many good memories and stories of the past six decades are brought to mind. ERF Medien is a Christian media broadcasting company that offers programming aimed towards young and old alike; the healthy and sick; Christians and non-Christians; women and men. Founded in 1959 in Wetzlar, Germany, ERF was one of the first private broadcasters in Germany to spread the Gospel through the media – first by radio, and later on television and over the internet.
ERF and TWR
For TWR, the concept of the national partner came into being with the birth of Evangeliums-Rundfunk (ERF) of Germany. Hermann Schule, chairman of the German board of directors and co-ordinator of German programming in Tangier at the time, approached TWR in the 1960s for exclusive rights to the German-language programming in Monte Carlo. It was a difficult decision, but an attractive offer. It would make it easier for TWR to pursue other languages. Through the agreement, TWR handed over German-speaking outreach to the Germans themselves, and other broadcasters would be directed to ERF if they wished to continue broadcasting to German audiences.
Few really understood the significance of that first decision to allow the establishment of a totally independent, autonomous entity – but it started TWR on the path of national partnering relationships. In due course, Evangeliums-Rundfunk – known today as ERF Medien – undertook the support of many worldwide projects. Throughout Europe today there are more than thirty national partner offices and studios broadcasting through TWR and on local stations.
ERF in Africa
In January 1975, the ERF German Department for Africa was founded in South Africa by Rev Martin Frische. In November 1987 the ERF-SA board was approached by Horst Marquardt (ERF-International) and Bill Mial (TWR-IHQ) to consider becoming the new partner of TWR in South Africa. In June 1993, the new board of TWR-SA was formed, with Rev Martin Frische as Executive Director, along with other board members representing various South African language ministries. Reverend Horst Marquardt represented ERF International on the board, while Andrew MacDonald represented TWR International.
Still involved in ministry
After 23 years in the radio ministry, Rev Martin Frische resigned in 2001, accepting a call as pastor of a local church in Johannesburg (Stadtmission). Today, Rev Frische is retired, but still involved as consultant in the sending agency of TWR. Eberhard Haberkorn is currently co-ordinator of German programming in Southern Africa, and travels to Namibia every year to meet with the ERF-board and to visit German listeners, churches, organisations, and individuals – many who are faithful prayer, financial, or ministry partners of the German ministry.
Join TWR in thanking God for 60 years of doing ministry together
We rejoice with ERF as they celebrate God’s faithfulness and provision for six decades. Please pray that God will continue to provide resources and volunteers to help Eberhard in this longstanding and fruitful ministry to German-speakers in Southern Africa. Should you or anyone you know want to find out more about the German ministry of TWR in Africa, send an e-mail to info@twr.org, or contact TWR Audience Relations Co-ordinator, Angelika Haberkorn on +27 11 974 2885
Lasting Fruit – A Missionary in Africa, for Africa
During the years of partnership between TWR and ERF, the truly remarkable journey of Reverend Stephen Boakye-Yiadom, former International Director for TWR Africa, unfolded.
Rev Boakye-Yiadom was born on 21 July 1943 in Kumasi, Ghana. After completing his schooling in Ghana, he found employment in a local bank, but then decided to leave his job to study abroad. While living in Germany, he was introduced to ERF Medien by Mrs Herta Wojahn. This friendly elderly lady often invited the young African man to lunch and they would listen to the broadcasts together. This turned out to change Stephen’s career path and life altogether.
In September 1975 he joined ERF, serving as an intern under the leadership of Rev Horst Marquardt. Jürgen Werth, former Director of ERF, recalls: “Stephen was filled with God’s glowing love for Africa. And this love he discovered in Germany of all places… He had wanted to become a banker. However, through the broadcasting series ‘Many roads, one goal’, he received the calling for his life. He was to become a missionary. In Africa for Africa. He became one of the most influential missionaries in African history. A missionary with a true sense for missions. It is largely due to his credit that the Good News of Jesus is presently distributed across the continent in more than 80 languages and dialects, and has taken root in countless hearts of people in huts and houses in more than 50 countries, giving hope, comfort, and eternal life.”
In 1976, the International Director of TWR phoned Rev Marquardt, asking whether they had someone available to help in Africa. God’s timing was perfect! Stephen went to Nairobi as an ERF missionary to establish a new office and production centre in the country. He started production of broadcasts in languages spoken in East Africa. Together with TWR, he launched a programme called “Africa challenge”. On August 6, 1977, Stephen married Grace. Within a few years, Stephen was appointed TWR General Secretary for Africa. His responsibilities were overseeing the Kenya ministry and promoting TWR to the church and mission leaders in Africa.
In 1992 Stephen was appointed Regional Director for TWR Africa and moved with Grace and their four children to Johannesburg, where the Africa Regional Office was established. Stephen’s title was later changed to International Director for TWR-Africa, a position he held within TWR until he passed away unexpectedly on 2 June 2007. Reverend Stephen, as everyone fondly refers to him, is remembered for his well-known saying:
“Africa needs Jesus!”
Jürgen concludes: “He repeated this sentence to many people. Africa needs Jesus.
And Africa needs people like Stephen who remind us thereof.”
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Date published: 23/07/2019
Written by: TWR Africa, twrafrica.org
Article source: JOY! Magazine
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