Synodical Conference Convention Proceedings St. Louis, Missouri — 1958, Page 86

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86 Proceedings of the Forty-fifth Convention

dium of the air for the spreading of the glorious Gospel message.
Here are some of his comments on Africa:

Africa is during these days undergoing rapid ard far-reach-
ing changes, politically, socially, economically and educationally;
likewise in missionary policies and practices. The demand is
being felt for a new day in African missions. African churches
want to be — and should properly be — indigenous, self-adminis-
trating, self-propagating, and self-supporting.

Ali of this means that these days offer a remarkable opportu-
nity for radio missions throughout Africa. Lutheran teachings
via radio should be emphasized.

Dr. Bertermann paid a visit to Nigeria upon the urgent request
of the Missionary Board, which has been endeavoring for the past
years to establish its own station in Nigeria. Due to certain com-
plications, the plans of the Board never materialized. Certain

regulations of the British government stymied the efforts of the. :

Board to provide a Lutheran broadcasting station on our home
compound at Obot Idim. Money did not form an obstacle, since
$2,000 had been placed at the disposal of the Missionary Board
by a Lutheran layman in our American homeland for this purpose.

The visit of Dr. Bertermann seemed to be most propitious for
inaugurating a Lutheran radio program. Here is part of his report
on his activities in Nigeria:

Together with missionaries Robert Lail (Acting Superin-
tendent) and Ed Greve, I established contact with the general
manager of the Nigerian Broadcasting Corporation, Mr. Knott.
We received a very sympathetic and friendly reception, and left
sample program discs with the station. We presented a two-fold
request: First, that the Nigerian Broadcasting Corporation carry
the program in English over the entire network; and second,
that the East Regional Service carry the Lutheran Hour in Ibo
and Efik. (Ibibio) in the Eastern Region, where our missions are
located. The station manager was not able to give an immediate
decision, since the question must be brought up to the Religious
Advisory Council and to the Corporation Council.

On April 28, 1958 missionary Paul M. Volz reported on the
developments in the fields of radio broadcasting on the part of the
Lutheran Hour:

Since January, 1958, we have been trying to prepare fifteen-
minute religious programs in Efik and in Ibo. ELWA (SIM sta-
tion in Monrovia, Liberia) seems to be in favor of beaming the
two programs starting in July or October of this year. We have
completed tapes on thirteen Efik programs and are now waiting
to hear from ELWA concerning their acceptance of the type of
program we have produced. Due to the lack of an Ibo preacher,
we are not yet ready with that program. We hope to groom
a seminarian for recording Ibo sermons very soon. In due time
we will send representative scripts and tapes to you for your
archives.

The letter continues to ask for “advice and clarification of our
position with LLL,” with regard to finances, purchasing of record-
ing equipment, follow-up work, office expenses and travel. The
question is raised by our Radio Committee in Nigeria: “To what
extent will the Lutheran Laymen’s League support us in these
expenses?” In replying to our missionary’s query, Dr. Bertermann,
in a letter dated May 19, 1958, gave this assurance: