3xM

Internet: the new medium for Christian television is bearing fruit in Africa

Thu, 12 Aug 2010 09:00:00 +0200

The African christian television programmes “Miel Mortel” (Deadly Honey) and “Et votre famille?” (And your family?) are visited by many people via Dieu TV. That’s the latest information of the Dutch Foundation 3xM, who supports local partner organizations in Asia, West Africa and Eastern Europe to produce and broadcast christian television.

The number of visitors to the website http://www.dieutv.com/ is increasing. Visitors can watch the christian television programmes “Miel Mortel” and “Et votre famille” on this website. The administrator of DieuTV.com says that about 70 to 75 % of the African christian television programmes they received are put on their website. The number of visitors is already 6.600 in six months only.

The programmes treat different social relevant issues from a biblical point of view: the importance of a HIV/Aids test, lifestyle and HIV/Aids, the choice of a partner, establish priorities before marriage, what to do when mother-in-law comes to live in your house and wants to manage the household money?, etc.

Mission organization 3xM (More Message in the Media) has already supported local Christians for 30 years in producing and broadcasting television programmes. The broadcasting, viewer follow-up and counselling by means of internet receives increasing attention. Passing on knowledge is an essential part of the mission. 3xM particularly aims at countries where few Christians live.

Explosive growth of responses on christian TV programme 'Deadly Honey'

Thu, 29 Jul 2010 09:57:37 +0200

More and more responses are pouring in on the christian TV programme ‘Deadly Honey’ (Miel Mortel), which is also broadcasted in the Central African Republic. This reports the Dutch foundation 3xM which supports local partner organizations in Asia, West Africa and Eastern Europe by producing and broadcasting christian television.

The christian TV programme ‘Deadly Honey’, that focuses mainly on the youth, has received more than 3,300 responses in just three months time. On average 50 responses come in after a broadcast. In the programme the Biblical vision on the HIV/AIDS issue is portrayed. Based on the responses this appeals in a great manner to the youth. The 27 year old Zadi says that after watching ‘Deadly Honey’ he drastically changed his life style, when the danger of infection with HIV/AIDS was pointed out to him.

On this moment the programme is being aired 6 days a week (from Monday to Saturday) on the national station of CAR ‘TéléCentrafrique’ between 6.30 and 7 PM. This is possible because of the governmental campaign about HIV/AIDS.

Mission organization 3xM has already supported local Christians for 30 years in producing and broadcasting television programmes. The broadcasting, viewer follow-up and counselling by means of internet receive increasing attention. Passing on knowledge is an essential part of the mission. 3xM particularly aims at countries where few Christians live.

Exceptional responses to christian television programme on a second channel Central-Asia

Fri, 16 Jul 2010 15:14:46 +0200

Exceptional responses arrive the second television channel in Central-Asia to a Christian television programme. This is information from the Dutch Foundation 3xM, who helps local partner organizations in Asia, West-Africa and Eastern-Europe to produce and broadcast Christian television.

The programmes do not avoid social relevant issues like ‘occultism’and ‘testify’, even ‘The ten commandments’ are being treated. It is evident that these programmes stir up a lot of commotion among the viewers, judging by the varying responses that come in to the volunteers of the aftercare. A response of a family: ‘We were very surprised to hear in your programme whom Jesus wants to be for us. As we want to know more about it, we have invited a pastor. When we heard of him what Jesus has done for us, we gave our heart to Him and we want to follow Him now.’

Less positive reactions also appear. Watching a christian television programme in this country with a majority muslims can provoke intense feelings. It happened that a muslim viewer wanted to kill a producer of the programme.

The involved pastors consider the cooperation very positive and want to continue the project. Prayers are very much needed for protection, wisdom and creativity for the team.

Mission organization 3xM has already supported local christians for 30 years in producing and broadcasting television programmes. The broadcasting, viewer follow-up and counselling by means of internet receive increasing attention. Passing on knowledge is an essential part of the mission. 3xM particularly aims at countries where few christians live.

New christian youth programme 'New Generation' for Senegal and Burkina Faso

Tue, 13 Jul 2010 12:11:10 +0200

‘New Generation’ (Nouvelle Génération) will be broadcasted via 2STV in Senegal and Canal 3 in Burkina Faso for the first time in July 2010. This is reported by the Dutch mission organization 3xM which supports partner organizations in Asia, West Africa and Eastern Europe in producing and broadcasting christian television.

The programme assists young people in overcoming their problems. ‘New Generation’ achieves this by showing examples of other young people who have come out of a hopeless situation. Apparently this really appeals to them, considering the responses of young people in the audience and, with God’s help, it encourages them to come into action to strike out on a new course in their lives.

In the meantime the first thirteen episodes have been forwarded to both countries. The other successful youth programme ‘Deadly Honey’ (Miel Mortel) on HIV/AIDS has already been broadcasted in Senegal and Burkina Faso for some time. It is the intention that the programmes will alternate every two weeks. It is remarkable that it is possible to broadcast a second christian programme within such a short time in a country in which the majority of the population is Muslim. A representative of the TV station in Senegal comments: “This programme is exactly what we need”. By increasing the number of programmes, 3xM hopes to bring more young people into contact with the gospel.

Mission organization 3xM (More Message in the Media) has already supported local Christians for 30 years in producing and broadcasting television programmes. The broadcasting viewer follow-up and counselling by means of internet receives increasing attention. Passing on knowledge is an essential part of the mission. 3xM particularly aims at countries where few Christians live.

3xM annual report 2009

Tue, 01 Jun 2010 14:54:16 +0200

The 3xM mission organization published her yearly figures for 2009. The annual report can be obtained via info@3xm-online.org.

West-Africa

On the Ivory Coast 3xM had an impact research conducted concerning the impact of the Christian TV programs Miel Mortel (Deadly Honey) and Et votre Famille (And your family). Approximately 3,4 million people have changed their behaviour regarding HIV/AIDS as a result of Christian television, while 175,000 people have begun to read the Bible and 37,000 people have attended church for the first time.

As a result of the broadcasts, the partner in the Ivory Coast received approximately 10,000 reactions of viewers in 2009. A 29-year-old viewer from the Ivory Coast relates: “I hardly miss a programme. I become quiet while listening to the songs, which make me feel peaceful. You give hiv/aids a human face. I always thought that aids was the fate of poor people, but due to this programme I know better now.”

Central Asia

In Central Asia a new law concerning religion was accepted in 2009. As a result, one of the two broadcasting stations which provided time for Christian programmes stopped broadcasting Christian television.

Bulgaria

Since 2009 the popular Bulgarian programme Christianity can also be watched by means of internet. Because of this the viewer can watch the programme at any desired point of time. The own IPTV-channel attracted approximately 56,000 viewers, while 27,000 people watched the programme by means of the website.

Statistics

The partner relationships of 3xM achieved 84% of the intended annual aims in 2009. In total 285 programmes were made. Compared with the previous year, the costs per prospective viewer (€ 0.0040) and the potential range (234 million people) both remained nearly equal. The income increased with 1%, but did not succeed in keeping up with the budget. Due to cutbacks in communication, the commitments to projects could still be realized.

More Christian television in Central Asia

Wed, 26 May 2010 20:51:31 +0200

Christian television producers in a Central Asian country have recently managed to broadcast a Christian programme on a second television channel. This is reported by 3xM, the Dutch mission foundation which supports partner organizations in Asia, West Afrika and Eastern Europe in producing and broadcasting Christian television.

The programme, which is reputed for its social topics, now succeeds in reaching a potential audience of more than one million people. ‘A great advantage!’, according to Martien Timmer, 3xM’s international director. Various topics are given a chance during the weekly broadcasts. Some examples are alcoholism, domestic violence and homeless people. These topics are placed in a biblical perspective and evoke many positive responses in an area which is predominantly Islamic. A government official remarked to one of the programme’s follow-up workers: ‘These are exactly the kind of programmes which we need!’

In Central Asia, Christian television is often under great pressure due to new religious legislation. However, the religious freedom which is incorporated in the constitution supersedes this new legislation and as a result there is still permission to broadcast the programme.

3xM Mission has supported local Christians in producing and broadcasting television programmes for 30 years. Broadcasts and follow-up by means of internet receive increasing attention. Passing on knowledge is a vital part of the mission. 3xM particularly aims at countries where few Christians live.

New Christian TV program in Turkey

Thu, 01 Apr 2010 12:09:36 +0200

In Turkey the new Christian TV program 'Cevap Ariyorum' (Looking for Answers) has finished its first season, according to 3xM who supported this program.

The program 'Cevap Ariyorum' (Seeking Answers) has been developed and produced with a lot of enthusiasm, something which fills the presenter of the program, pastor Levent Kinran, with pride. "I am very grateful to God and to the whole crew who turned a long-time dream into reality."

The program consists of 13 episodes of 30 minutes each and is made up of interviews in which questions of non-Christians about God and Christianity are answered. The questions are shown on a big screen one at a time and a pastor answers both these questions as well as incoming e-mail from viewers. "In this way we not only present the viewers with answers based on the Bible, but we also try to build up a relationship with them. This is a good way to clear up misunderstandings and challenge prejudices in a friendly manner." The program can also equip Turkish-speaking Christians to answer similar questions more effectively.

SAT-7 TÜRK broadcasts Cevap Ariyorum on Tuesday and Sunday at 9:30 and 22:00 CET on the same frequency as SAT-7 PARS. For information in Turkish about the programs, go to http://www.sat7turk.com.

For nearly 30 years, the mission organization 3xM has partnered with churches and Christian organizations in producing and broadcasting television programs. More and more attention is given to broadcasts and aftercare via internet. The transference of knowledge is an important part of 3xM's mission. 3xM focuses primarily on countries where there are few Christians.

3xM: 30 years of support for Christian television

Tue, 16 Feb 2010 15:42:55 +0100

This year 3xM (More Message in the Media) celebrates its 30^th anniversary. 3xM supports Christian television worldwide and helps reaching millions of people with the Gospel. The last decade the focus has been more and more shifted to ‘closed’ countries..

Network of partner organizations throughout the world

According to the International Director Martien Timmer the work of 3xM is unique: “3xM is the only organization which brings Christians together to produce united Christian television in different countries in Africa and Asia. Furthermore we help the local Christian producers to produce programs independently and broadcast these programs on national TV stations (both commercial and public). Generally we have intensive and long-lasting relationships with our partner organizations abroad.”

Television and internet

In the first ten years 3xM focused on television and radio, but in the early nineties it moved to television. “In the area of printed media and radio there is much knowledge and capacity amongst Christian organizations”, says Timmer. This is not the case in the field of television. That is why we chose to focus on Christian television explicitly. Since a number of years 3xM is also involved in internet developments. More and more people decide themselves when and where to watch a program.”

Cooperation of Christians

3xM gives priority to projects in ‘closed’ countries. Proclaiming the Gospel is much more difficult in these countries than in other countries. Furthermore many people in these countries have never been able to hear the Gospel. According to Timmer it is very special that national television stations broadcast Christian television programs in ‘closed’ countries. Timmer:”The key to success is the fact that Christians from different denominations unite and work together to get broadcasting time.’

Social issues in TV programs

In most of the TV programs social issues are discussed from a Christian point of view. Many reactions from viewers show that there is much interest in the programs, according to Timmer. “Therefore counseling at the end of the programs becomes more important.”

Support from the constituency

Due to the increasing number of countries that give possibilities for Christian TV, 3xM needs more financial resources in the near future. Timmer: “We trust that the Lord will help us as He knows the needs. During this year of anniversary we hope to raise extra funds. In different ways we hope to acquire extra support in this anniversary year, for example approaching foundations and Christian business people in The Netherlands and the USA.

Christian TV has impact in Ivory Coast

Tue, 22 Dec 2009 08:59:52 +0100

Christian TV programs have great impact on viewers in Ivory Coast. This appears from a research under 1,178 respondents which is recently done by Media Research Institute by order of 3xM. 3xM supports the production and broadcast of two Christian TV programs in the West African country. “Deadly Honey” (Miel Mortel) questions the HIV/AIDS problematic and “And your family” (Et Votre Famille) handles aspects of family life.

Change of behavior

Based on the results of the research the following can be calculated. From the 10.8 million people 4.3 million have viewed the program “Deadly Honey” at least once and 2.6 million watches at least once a week. From the total number of viewers 3.4 millions (77%) reported a change in behavior. 175,000 reported they have started reading the Bible, 37,000 have recently started to attend church and another 125,000 now attend church more regularly. More than half of the viewers have changed their sexual and relational behavior.
Reponses
The TV program “And your family” is watched by 14% of the people. From the total number of viewers 35% watches because the program answers their questions of life and death, while almost 20% said the program help them deal with their problems. Almost 52% stated they had more respect for others. This is very valuable in a country with a large variety of population groups.

Surprised

As well as 3xM as its partner relation PEMA/ACT are surprised about these results. “Responding to social needs seems a good entrance to reach people”, says International Director of 3xM Martien Timmer. “We thank God, Who shows us something of His Kingdom in this way. It stimulates us to continue to bring the Christian message through visual media!”

Recommendations

The research also gives valuable recommendations, like translation in one of the major tribal languages so that more people may understand the program. Click here for a summary of the report.