From Survival to Flourishing: How Faith, Culture and Canadian Generosity Are Strengthening the Roma Church

Behind every broadcast is a deeper story. This is true of the Roma people of Europe, one of the most marginalized groups in the world. However, despite being treated as invisible, something powerful is happening.

At Trans World Radio (TWR) Canada, we often talk about the power of media to cross borders and change lives. But behind every broadcast, podcast, and video we help make possible is a deeper story—of people, communities, and the generous Canadian donors who believe in reaching the world for Christ.

The Roma people of Europe are one of the most marginalized groups in the world. Often treated as invisible, they face discrimination, economic hardship, and spiritual neglect. But in places like North Macedonia and Serbia, something powerful is happening. Through gospel media in the heart language of the Roma, entire communities are encountering Christ in ways that are culturally meaningful, biblically sound, and deeply transformative.

This work is possible because of Canadians who give—not just to a program or a project, but to the mission of equipping the global Church through media. That generosity is strengthening faithful leaders like Pastor Edijan, a Roma pastor in North Macedonia, whose ministry is helping his community move from surviving to flourishing.

Edijan’s ministry, Voice of Truth, brings the hope of the gospel to Roma people through YouTube, Facebook, and Spotify. He doesn’t just speak to their spiritual needs—he speaks to their whole identity. His messages affirm the worth of the Roma people, calling them not to hide in fear or shame but to live fully as children of God.

“When Roma people hear the gospel in our language, something changes. They know they are not forgotten. They know they matter. And they begin to believe that God sees them and has a purpose for them.” — Pastor Edijan, Voice of Truth, North Macedonia

The impact of this ministry is clear. In Serbia, the number of Roma believers is steadily growing. New programs like Šalom Romalen and Romano Krlo are making biblical resources accessible in the Romani language. These are more than translation efforts—they are bridges to deeper faith and restored dignity.

One project, in particular, stands out. A new audio Bible story series for children, recorded in Romani, is now available to families. This is more than a tool for evangelism—it is an act of cultural preservation. In a world where minority languages are disappearing, this initiative helps the next generation of Roma children grow up hearing God’s Word in their mother tongue.

This is what we mean when we say that media can change lives. It’s not just about what is said—it’s about who is seen, who is heard, and who is included in the story of God's redemptive work.

At TWR Canada, we believe every community deserves access to the gospel in the language of their heart. That includes the Roma, who for too long have been forgotten by the Church and the media. Through partnerships with local leaders and support from Canadians who share our vision, we’re helping turn that tide.

Thank you to everyone who gives, prays, and stands with us. Together, we’re strengthening the global Church—one language, one message, one life at a time.

For more stories of global impact, visit www.twr.ca/stories-of-hope