The first ever Meet the DJ event was held in Pharae, Thailand yesterday.
“Our goal was to attract listeners of our radio program, “Thoughts for Life”, together to meet our DJ, Bandhit Dawean,” commented missionary Mark Patenaude. “Radio is new to us but our DJ Bandhit has had regular calls and text message contacts. We hope to increase the listenership.”
“Thoughts for Life” is on two radio stations in the Phrae area of Northern Thailand. Using a magazine format, the DJ covers a variety of topics from a Christian perspective intermixed with both secular and Christian music. Bandhit told me that his target audience is over 30 so most contacts are by cell phone with just a few by texting. “Here in Thailand it is the younger people who text. Nearly everyone has a cell phone,” He said.
“Meet the DJ” opened with songs by a former night club singer who later gave his testimony. DJ Bandhit came on and entertained the audience with songs and humor. A Christian THAI CHI was performed by missionaries Mark and Lisa Patenaude and most participated. Of course a wonderful and spicy dinner was served!
Three free prizes were given to those who submitted the Media Survey that was handed out with a video and some candy. Of the 40 survey’s returned, 25 were non-believers and the team learned how to make “Thoughts for Life” more effective! A more indepth survey is planned for early next year in the area.
“Thoughts for Life” is aired in two community radio stations. One is in the city of Phrae and is owned by a local Buddhist businessman who finds people like Bandhit who want to purchase blocks of time. The other smaller station is out of town and is based on the compound of the Presbyterian Church.
With less that .005% Christians, Thailand has always been a difficult mission field. Mass media must be used to reach out. Some would say Thais are very resistant to the Gospel. Others would say it is a field “ripe unto Harvest”. And some, like 30 year old Ma-Dee who accepted Jesus as her savior after hearing the testimony of the former night club singer, would say that all they needed was for someone to invite them to know those who are Christians and see the love of Jesus in their eyes!
To see more about this ministry visit http://tinyurl.com/yglynzq
By Jake Hanson
