Between 1969 and 2016, a small but faithful group of Australians, supported in prayer and finances by FEBC Australia's supporters served as missionaries. Through their God-given expertise in engineering, operations, broadcasting and accounting, they supported local broadcasters, ensuring that God's Word reached millions worldwide. Their reflections offer a powerful window into how God uses willing hearts, humble service, and radio waves to transform lives globally.
Strategic Locations, Global Reach
The Australian missionaries were sent to transmission bases and stations positioned for maximum geographical coverage. Some were based in tiny, remote places, but their reach was anything but small.
"Saipan was a small tropical island,” says Jan Bayliss, who served with her husband David Bayliss (1994–2013, Saipan, the Philippines, Mongolia, Singapore and Australia). “From our compound, we were broadcasting in 30 languages to Russia, China, and Southeast Asia using three enormous curtain antennas. At the same time, our local station KSAI broadcast to the 60,000 people of Saipan."
Seychelles "had an amazing reach into South Asia, the Middle East and Africa, with broadcasts in more than 30 languages," recalls Simon Chan (1989–1991, Seychelles).
Turning Trials into Testimonies
The mission was not without trials, but God worked everything around for good.
Larry and Barbara Podmore (1986–2016, Saipan, the Philippines, Cambodia, and Mongolia) remember when "Super Typhoon Kim wiped out the site in Saipan. There was no power for three months." Simon, who faced a lightning storm in Seychelles witnessed: "at the right time, the funds or people came through. God always shows Himself as the one who provides out of every adversity." No storm was going to stop God's gospel broadcasts.
God's provision was sometimes through FEBC. In Manila during the Gulf War, Bryan* saw how FEBC began transmitting live news in English to meet the needs of listeners during a lockdown. Bryan served short-term between 1990–1991.
1985, an engineer in a skiff inspects the reef antenna system, Seychelles.
And when the devastating 2004 tsunami hit Indonesia, John and Remy Tan, who served in the Philippines and Cambodia (2004–2012), heard about FEBC’s First Response Radio team that brought practical help and spiritual hope: "The city was wiped out. Locals needed help. FEBC sent our First Response Radio." This service helped soften hearts towards Christianity.
Chris and Marlene Cooper (1997–2015, the Philippines, Singapore, Australia) testify of God's unfailing goodness: "Uncertainty can be used by God to increase people's faith." Chris remained motivated by the "great privilege of serving local Christians in reaching their own peoples in their own languages."
A Lasting Legacy
The impact of these missionaries runs deep. In Mongolia, a local trained by David now leads technical operations. And when technology shifted, David, Chris, and John led FEBC International's crucial digital transition.
Over the decades, FEBC’s broadcasts shaped the church in countries where Bibles were scarce and pastors untrained. Rev David Zheng, who hosted training programs in Mandarin from Hong Kong and Australia (1996–2012), recalls one listener's words: "Nearly 60 of the 100+ house churches in our area tune into Liangyou (FEBC Chinese) radio. Preachers who listen to your broadcasts are more disciplined."
"We get the local perspective and try to do it the way things will work for the people even after we leave," explains John Tan. "How to get the gospel out is different in each culture."
And there were unforgettable personal stories too. Jan Bayliss recalls corresponding "with this boy for years before he saw Jesus as the pearl of great price. His family disowned him, but he kept his faith and later volunteered for FEBC India."
In one remarkable case, a whole village in Southeast Asia came to Christ after hearing the gospel in their heart language for the first time.
The mission formed lasting bonds—several missionaries met their future spouses in service. Simon Chan met his wife while fundraising in Goldie and Tek Chong's church (Goldie had hosted FEBC programs in Hong Kong).
From analog shortwave to digital platforms, from isolated rural villages to vibrant house churches, the legacy of these Australian missionaries will continue for many decades to come.
*Surname omitted for privacy reasons.