Trans World Radio

What Trans World Radio does

Trans World Radio (TWR) is a Cary, North Carolina-headquartered, IRS-recognized 501(c)(3) faith mission founded in 1954 by Dr. Paul Freed. It operates one of the world's most distributed Christian media networks, broadcasting gospel content in 200+ languages to audiences in 190 countries through seventeen transmitting sites spanning Morocco, Bonaire, Eswatini, Cyprus, Guam, Uruguay, Central Asia, West Africa, and Southeast Asia, supplemented by FM/AM partnerships and shortwave capability.

The organization's technology footprint combines physical broadcast infrastructure (shortwave, FM, AM transmitters across 17+ sites) with digital distribution platforms: the TWR360 on-demand streaming service launched May 2013 (biblical content in 140+ languages), a suite of iOS and Android mobile applications (TWR360, Thru the Bible, TWR Africa, TWR Arabic Radio), and TWR MOTION, a video ministry launched in 2017 for producing custom gospel-centered videos. Integrated ministry sub-brands include TWR Women of Hope, TWR MOTION, and Every Man a Warrior. TWR is ECFA-accredited and a member of NRB and Missio Nexus.

TWR's revenue model is exclusively donation-based. As a faith mission, it relies on voluntary contributions from individuals, churches, and organizations — all tax-deductible under its 501(c)(3) status (EIN: 22-1690564). Field missionaries are funded through a Ministry Partner Development (MPD) structure in which each missionary builds a team of recurring donors; approximately 50-60% of raised support is paid as income with the remainder covering housing, insurance, taxes, and children's education. The organization is privately held with no equity funding, no parent company, and an International Board of Directors chaired by Jeffrey Jones, with Andy Schick serving as President & CEO.

Name

Trans World Radio

Legal name

Trans World Radio

Website

https://twr.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1954

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Trans World Radio is a Cary, NC-based 501(c)(3) Christian media ministry founded in 1954, broadcasting gospel content in 200+ languages to 190 countries via 17 transmitting sites, the TWR360 streaming platform, and mobile applications, funded entirely through charitable donations and Ministry Partner Development.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Christian Broadcasting & Religious Media Ministry

NAICS

Radio Broadcasting Stations (51611), Radio Broadcasting Stations (516110), Media Streaming Distribution Services, Social Networks, and Other Media Networks and Content Providers (51621), Broadcasting and Content Providers (516)

SIC

Radio Broadcasting Stations (4832)

akta.pro primary industry

Christian Broadcasting (TV & Radio) (MPABALAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Religious/Faith-Based Radio Networks (MPABABAC), International Religious/Faith-Based Broadcasters (MPABAEAH), Internet Radio & Streaming Broadcast Stations (Simulcast/Online-only) (MPAIAEAE), Talk/News/Sports Radio Networks & Syndication (MPAIAEAG)

Keywords

• Christian radio broadcasting
• Gospel media ministry
• Religious broadcasting network
• Christian content streaming
• Global missionary media

Headquarters

HQ city

Cary

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Infrastructure, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Donor Contributions: TWR operates as a faith mission relying on voluntary donations from individuals, churches, and organizations. The organization is an IRS recognized 501(c)(3) charitable organization (EIN: 22-1690564).
2. Ministry Partner Development: Missionaries raise support through building ministry partnership teams who commit to ongoing financial support. Most missionaries receive approximately 50-60% of their total support as income with the balance covering housing, insurance, taxes, and children's education.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Trans World Radio produces and distributes Christian media content in 200+ languages to audiences across 190 countries through radio broadcasting (shortwave, FM, AM), online streaming via the TWR360 platform, and mobile applications. The ministry also operates integrated sub-ministries including TWR Women of Hope, TWR MOTION (video), and Every Man a Warrior (men's discipleship), supported by an international network of missionaries and partner radio stations.

Product overview

Trans World Radio is a global Christian media ministry offering radio broadcasting, online streaming, and mobile applications. The core offering consists of TWR360 (their flagship online platform with on-demand biblical content in 140+ languages), complemented by dedicated mobile apps for Thru the Bible, TWR Africa, and TWR Arabic Radio. Their integrated ministries include TWR Women of Hope, TWR MOTION (video ministry), and Every Man a Warrior (men's discipleship). The organization operates a network of radio broadcast programs distributed globally, with TWR Magazine as their publication. TWR speaks 200+ languages and broadcasts in 190 countries through partnerships with radio stations and transmitting sites.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• TWR Women of Hope: Ministry bringing hope in Jesus to women around the world and across generations through media and small group interaction.
• TWR MOTION
• Every Man a Warrior
• TWR360
• Thru the Bible

Quantifiable outcome

• Movement of 12,000 followers of Jesus across South Asia and the Middle East through online lessons
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• PHARE FMcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 2 June 2026PHARE FM is TWR's Christian radio partner in France with a narrow window to expand from reaching 30% of the French population, representing TWR's European outreach efforts.
• TWR MalawicoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 21 May 2024TWR Malawi, led by National Director Janet Mtali since 2023, represents TWR's African national partnership network. Janet Mtali was appointed to the TWR International board.
• ERF (Germany)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 1959Gospel broadcaster ERF in Germany was founded in 1959, initiating TWR's national partnership model which continues to this day. ERF represents one of TWR's longest-standing international partnerships.
• Thru the BiblecoreTechnology or IntegrationPartnership with Thru the Bible to distribute their five-year systematic Bible study program through TWR360 platform and Thru the Bible Global mobile app.
• ECFA (Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability)minorOthersTWR is an ECFA member, demonstrating financial accountability and transparency standards expected of Christian nonprofits.
• NRB (National Religious Broadcasters)minorOthersNRB is a professional association for Christian communicators. TWR holds membership demonstrating industry standing.
• Missio NexusminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTWR is a member of Missio Nexus, connecting with other mission organizations for collaboration and resource sharing.
• ACM (Association of Christian Ministries)minorOthersSouth African Christian organization that TWR holds membership with.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves23 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Far East Broadcasting Company (FEBC): FEBC is a direct peer operating as a global Christian radio broadcasting ministry reaching across Asia and beyond, with similar multi-language, multi-transmitter-site operations and a comparable faith-mission funding model.
• Back to the Bible: Back to the Bible is a direct peer in international Christian Bible teaching media, with comparable radio broadcast, online, and app-based distribution serving global English-speaking audiences through systematic Bible study programs.
• ERF Medien (Evangeliums-Rundfunk): ERF is TWR's long-standing German partner and a direct peer in Christian European broadcasting, operating comparable radio, online, and digital ministry programs targeting German-speaking and European audiences.
• Galcom International: Galcom International is a direct peer in global gospel broadcasting, distributing Christian content via radio transmitters, solar-powered audio devices, and digital platforms to unreached and remote populations worldwide.
• InTouch Ministries: InTouch Ministries is a direct peer in global Christian media outreach, distributing Bible teaching via television, radio, online platforms, and mobile apps with a comparable donor-supported nonprofit ministry model.
• PHARE FM: PHARE FM is TWR's Christian radio partner in France and a direct peer operating as a French Christian radio broadcaster with comparable programming, fundraising model, and audience development focus.
• Reach Beyond (formerly HCJB Global): Reach Beyond is a direct peer in global Christian media broadcasting with similar multi-language programming, transmitter infrastructure, and digital platform strategy, serving Latin America, Africa, and other regions.

Broad incumbents

• Eternal Word Television Network (EWTN): EWTN is a broad incumbent in global Catholic media broadcasting, operating a multi-language television, radio, and digital platform reaching over 350 million households, comparable to TWR in global Christian media reach.
• Educational Media Foundation (K-LOVE / Air1): EMF operates K-LOVE and Air1, the largest US Christian radio networks, representing a broad incumbent with significant scale, multi-platform digital reach, and a comparable donor-supported nonprofit operating model.
• Bott Radio Network: Bott Radio Network is a broad incumbent in US Christian broadcasting operating 100+ radio stations with comparable Bible teaching, talk, and music programming, serving faith-based audiences across the United States.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/TWRglobal
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCuCaYgi3-_qsHye-1hri69w
• Facebookfacebook.com/twrglobal
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/26263/admin
• Instagraminstagram.com/twrglobal

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles11 records

Subsidiaries3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Trans World Radio