Background

Dzongkha is the official language of Bhutan. The kingdom of Bhutan is considered the most mysterious and least modernized country in South Asia. Buddhism is the dominant religion. It is estimated that only one out of every 5000 speakers of Dzongkha is presently Christian. After 100 years of rule by absolute monarchy, the first elections were held in 2008 and Bhutan emerged as a parliamentary democracy.

Radio has played a significant role in making the Christian presence felt in Bhutan, a country that is otherwise closed for Christian activities. The Dzongkha producer reports, “[The radio ministry] can help, especially in the rural areas, in the villages. They are listening to the radio in the houses. Most of the villages, they don’t have television, they don’t have electricity. So they have a radio with them and they listen.”

Ministry Updates

Programming occurs three days a week with a 15-minute program which includes health topics, music, and a Christian message. Two Dzongkha women have recently joined with the producer as additional staff members. One assists in production of the program; the other records announcements, health segments, and songs. Listener follow up occurs when staff visit within the listening areas; interested persons are directed to associate themselves with those churches that are ready to accept them.

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Listener Responses

Personal testimonies affirm the fruitfulness of the broadcasts. Recently a woman from eastern Bhutan shared her testimony during a Campus Crusade for Christ training seminar in Jaigaon. She related that she had come to know the Lord Jesus Christ as her personal Savior through the Dzongkha program. She was happy that she was a listener.

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