When an undersea earthquake of 9.1 magnitude triggered a deadly tsunami that wiped out several communities across Southeast Asia on December 26, 2004, it left more than 230,000 people dead.

Northern Aceh province bore the brunt of the tsunami, which killed a total of 128,858 and left more than 387,000 homeless.

As aid reached survivors, helping them to pick up their lives, over the airwaves came encouragement and love in the form of a radio broadcast known as Hope Prevails. Contact numbers of local counselling hotlines and the people behind the programme were included at the end of each programme for listeners who wanted a follow-up of support and encouragement.

When volcanic eruptions, earthquakes and typhoons subsequently hit the region, the same content – with relevant changes in the greetings and closing – was aired again. 

After a hiatus of more than 10 years, content from Hope Prevails was repurposed to supplement a new programme for the region around Batam when Covid unfolded across the globe in 2020. 

In the evening (6pm to 9pm Singapore time), songs and features in Bahasa Indonesia over the Batam radio channel offer hope and encouragement. Photo from twr.org.

In mid 2021, it gave rise to an evening broadcast in Bahasa Indonesia and a morning drive-time programme in English. Aired over Batam-based BE107FM, the programmes can be heard in the surrounding islands of the Riau archipelago, in Singapore and southern Johor.

The programming is produced by Trans World Radio (TWR), a non-denominational Christian media ministry that broadcasts in over 300 languages in 190 countries via 11 major transmitter sites and more than 1,350 AM and FM local and satellite outlets.

(TWR is not to be confused with another organisation that produced Echo of Hope, which was previously aired over BE107FM and another frequency for almost 30 years). 

From the tsunami to Covid

Around 2014, TWR’s partnership with one Batam-based station airing its programmes came to an end.

“However, the team still felt God’s call to ministry,” Daniel Saputra, the international director for TWR’s Southeast Asia ministry, told Salt&Light. 

In 2017, the team started praying and searching in earnest for another radio station to partner.

However, it was only when Covid unfolded across the globe in early 2020 that plans started falling into place.

“There has been so much stress and grieving over what we used to have: The social contact, freedom, opportunities for interaction, uncertainty of livelihoods.

“Many were forced to grapple with fear, panic and even death,” said Daniel.

Daniel’s team found a new Batam-based station, BE107FM, to team up with, to offer counselling tips on surviving the pandemic.

It started with practical advice – like washing one’s hands frequently and wearing a mask – before moving on to caring for one’s emotional health. These were presented in general language suited for all audiences, but based on wisdom found in the Bible. TWR Asia developed it into a series known as From Despair to Hope, which is available around the continent in various languages and dialects. 

(TWR has been in Asia since 1977, starting with shortwave broadcasts to China. It started in Indonesia in 2000.)

There were initially only 12 episodes of From Despair to Hope.

“But we needed much more than that in Bahasa,” said Daniel. “So our Indonesian team adapted and added on the programmes from Hope Prevails that they had since the Aceh tsunami.” 

The response has been very encouraging from people both of faith and not of the faith, said Daniel.

“Many are looking for answers. Especially about the will of God.”

The story-changer

Then came the opportunity for TWR to buy airtime from BE107FM on a more long-term basis. 

“But we had insufficient funds,” Daniel shared.

The idea had the full support from all quarters of TWR, including its president, Lauren Libby, in the US. He urged the team to pray for funding. 

“Shortly afterwards, a couple came to our office in the US, wanting to know about TWR’s latest projects,” said Daniel.

“When they heard about the Batam project, they prayed about it, and then made a significant gift that enabled TWR to greenlight the Batam broadcasts.”

That couple’s provision was a “story-changer”, said Daniel, who still gets goosebumps talking about God’s hand in it.

“Even our president said that this is one project where funds were raised in the shortest time.” 

Within a few months, on July 1, 2021, TWR officially started broadcasting programmes from BE107FM. It is also available as an online livestream.

Contemporary Christian music and short features in English accompany listeners during the early morning commute (6am till 10am, Singapore time; 5am to 9am, Batam time).

In the evening (6pm to 9pm Singapore time), songs and features in Bahasa Indonesia offer hope and encouragement to homesick Indonesian migrant workers.

The content is secular at other times to comply with Indonesian broadcast regulations that require 60% of programming to be secular. 

“BE” is derived from the station’s Indonesian name, Gema Bentara, which means “the messenger”. The station is owned by an Indonesian entity.

Revelations of new songs

Songs from genres ranging from modernised hymns to country to rock populate the morning drive-time segment in English.

Singaporeans may not be immediately familiar with Christian artistes like Lauren Daigle (who brings to mind Adele) and Jordan Feliz (whose Jesus is Coming Back may appeal to fans of The Greatest Showman). Or Christian rock bands like Kutless and 7enth Time Down.

“The programme introduces contemporary Christian music beyond the worship category that most Christians in Singapore are aware of,” Daren Tan, who presents the show from Mondays to Fridays, told Salt&Light.

Daren, who is based in Singapore, was once a relief DJ with 98.7FM.

The programming team in the US suggests new songs partially based on the music tastes of Christians in Singapore (according to iTunes).

The programming team is also looking to showcase more talent and original Christian songs from Asia. (Email Daren Tan at [email protected] with links to audio or video for consideration).

In between songs are short features designed to build up believers and address hope offered by the Gospel and Christ during times like the pandemic. 

The morning drive-time programme in English, known as Morning Buzz could not be more timely. Particularly with traffic going back to pre-pandemic levels since the significant easing of Covid protocols in Singapore at the end of March.

Other programmes in English, not hosted by Daren, are also aired on Saturdays and Sundays. 

From homesickness to happiness

The programming in Bahasa Indonesia airs from 6pm to 9pm Singapore time over BE107FM.

“Through contemporary music and short features, the programming hopes to uplift and inspire,” said Daniel.

“Music and programming in local languages are a powerful communication tool,” he added.

The feedback from Christians as well as listeners of other faiths so far has been positive.

Said Daniel: “One Indonesian helper who had been stuck in Singapore for the last two years reached out to say that she was so homesick, but found encouragement and happiness from the programme.”

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