Preaching the truth over the radio in Queensland began about 20 years ago. The first broadcast was made over station 4BK in Brisbane in 1944 and since then, with few exceptions, has continued every Sunday. Up to the early 1940’s the chief method of preaching was by public lectures, but audiences were few—and interested strangers fewer still. Times were changing and people no longer seemed interested in religion, or at least in going out to hear it discussed as a public meeting. But almost every home had its radio; if people wouldn’t come to us, then we must go to them. Thus the idea of broadcasting was born and we commenced a half-hour programme on Sundays at 4 p.m. called “Bible Verities”, and continued it for three years.
In 1947 a new station-4KQ—was established and we moved to them, signing a contract at £5/2/9 per half-hour. At the same time we changed the name to -Sacred Melodies and Meditation”, which was thought to be more appealing and which we have kept ever since. The time chosen was 5.30 p.m. each Sunday. The format of the session was approved by the station, who also auditioned and approved six brethren for live’ broadcasting. One brother was considered to have such natural ability that the station offered him a permanent position, but the offer was declined.
Our association with 4KQ lasted for just over 12 years. In 1951 the cost rose to i6/10/0, at which it remained until 1959, when the station told us we must pay more nearly the going rate and the charge was raised to £15 for the half-hour. This considerably overtaxed our finances and by the end of the year it was decided with reluctance to leave 4KQ and forego the benefits of broadcasting from a metropolitan station. Although cost was the prime reason for the move, there was also the thought that by broadcasting from a number of country stations we could take the gospel to a wider area and to people who would not otherwise hear it. The session was reduced in length to 15 minutes and a morning time chosen, as with the advent of television evening radio audiences had declined.
In January 1960 our first country session commenced over 4IP Ipswich, costing £3/3/0 a price which has not been increased. Ipswich is only 24 miles from Brisbane and we thus retained a potential city audience. In the August we added 4TO Townsville, at £3/18/0 (now £6/0/0), and in March 1961 4WK Warwick, at £2/3/0 (now £4/0/0). All these stations cover wide areas of closely settled country and in each case after a slow start we seemed to gain a listening public.
While we broadcasted from Brisbane all sessions were done direct from the station studio. However, when we moved to country stations this was not possible and sessions had to be recorded on tape and sent on a circuit round the stations. A tape recorder had been purchased a year earlier to assist in training speakers, but it now became an essential part of our equipment. But by 1962, with age and wear, it was not producing tapes of broadcast standard and if we were to remain on the air it had to be replaced with something more modern —and more expensive. After much prayerful consideration a high quality tape recorder and pick-up were purchased at a cost of £640, which enabled us to produce top standard recordings. We have been most fortunate to have a brother with the technical knowledge to properly operate and care for this complex equipment. In addition a soundproof broadcast recording studio has been built under the hall at Petrie Terrace which greatly facilitates the work.
Time continued to bring changes—some good and some not so good. Last October 4IP forced us to move from 9 a.m. to 7.30 a.m. which has resulted in an apparent falling off in our audience. We are persevering for a while at the new time before deciding what action to take. On the other hand in December we commenced over another station — 4LG Longreach. This station covers a wide area of Central Queensland where we understand the gospel has not been preached before.
Music has always been an attractive feature of the programme, several pieces being played when we had a half-hour session, but now only as an introduction and conclusion. The obtaining of suitable recordings was a problem, particularly when we were restricted to those the station had available, but since beginning our own recording a small library of suitable pieces has been collected, including several by Christadelphian choirs.
All broadcasting brethren prepare their own scripts and to assist them with this and all aspects of broadcasting there is a regular broadcasting speakers training class. This class is also attended by younger brethren who are preparing themselves for what is demanding work. A positive preaching of the gospel is aimed at in every broadcast, but doctrinal differences are also positively dealt with. Since going on to country stations one particular brother has introduced the session and made all announcements which has aided in identifying it for listeners and giving continuity. This has been helped by each speaker doing four consecutive broadcasts in a series, although each one is self-contained.
To gauge listener response and consolidate the message given, a free book is offered each week to anyone prepared to write in for it. “Preaching the Truth”, “God’s Way” and “Outline of the Bible” have been used, and it is proposed to offer “Back to the Bible” and “Youth at the Crossroads” during 1965. Enquiries average about one a week and all contacts are followed up by a letter and, where possible, by personal visit.
What have been the results of the work?
It is hard to say. Few records were kept of the first 10 years and, as far as is known, there were no baptisms during that time. However, since 1955 there has been on average one baptism every year directly attributable to the broadcast. Others who were initially contacted another way have also been assisted to this end. In addition the gospel has been preached to thousands, while hundreds have written in for the free books. Small ecclesias and brethren and sisters in isolation have also benefited, for many listen to the programme as part of their Sunday devotions and some as a prelude to their memorial meeting. Brethren and sisters and ecclesias in the country have always given much financial support to the broadcast.
So, despite continuing and rising costs-$685 in 1964—The Gospel Extension Society of Queensland believes that its 20 years of broadcasting have been most worthwhile. Although spectacular results cannot be expected, it is considered that use of this medium affords one of the best methods of publishing the gospel in these last days. We pray that God may bless the work until the Lord returns.
Our April issue, God willing, will contain a report on the activities of our Victorian brethren in broadcasting the Gospel.
Lord, What wilt thou have me to do?