The North Houston, TX Christadelphian Ecclesia, for the second consecutive year, has enjoyed the excitement of hosting a video taping effort by the Christadelphian Video Outreach team. We express our thanks to: Bro. Jeff Wallace, Sis. Sharon Ellis and Bro. Ed Hawthorne for application of their technical talents; to the program “hosts” Bro. Mark Patterson and Bro. Jim Dillingham; to Bro. Ken Langston, who did a marvelous job of coordinating the whole effort on the Houston end; to the “guest” brothers who worked so hard to provide the material for 23 more “This is Your Bible” programs; to their wives who cooperated in the background; to the support staff of sisters who provided the meals; to Bro. Marty Sande who did a super job on building the set and furniture; to Chad Hawthorne and Dave Patterson who assisted as technical help, and to all of the brothers and sisters who helped to make the effort a success! Although Bro. Charles Green worked hard on his talk right up to the last couple of days before the taping, he elected to undergo a quadruple heart bypass in the hospital instead of facing the cameras. We have our Bro. Charles in our prayers that our Heavenly Father will secure his speedy recovery. (You can give two talks next year, Bro. Charles!)
The team and host brothers flew in on Friday evening, November 9, having shipped most of the equipment ahead. The set and equipment were set up in the North Houston hall and taping commenced on Saturday morning, finishing up on Sunday night around 10 p.m. The final editing and graphics will be completed for the most part at the studios in Boston and Los Angeles.
Current use and reactions
Presently the programs made last year in Houston are being aired on public access channels in the Houston area. Using the 800 number, we have had several contacts asking for literature on a variety of subjects. To the surprise of a few brothers, they are being recognized by strangers in public places who exclaim things like, “Hey! Aren’t you the guy! saw on TV the other night?” Or, “I saw you on that program, ‘This Is Your Bible’ last night. My mother-in-law really likes that show!”
The name, “Christadelphian” might not become a household word any time soon, but it does appear the intended objective is starting to be met — that public awareness is raised to a level where they at least know we are here. Our lamp of gospel proclamation may not be able to illuminate the entire city, but reaching 260,000 television households with a recent survey showing 50% awareness of the channel and an audience of 40,000 seems to justify the minimal expense of about $800 per year. We are planning to make VHS duplicates of the master tapes for the purpose of introducing these various first principle subjects to interested friends and family.
Our own ecclesia, and others involved through the presenting brothers, have gained valuable experience through this modern medium of communicating God’s word to the public. We realize it can never take the place of personal witness nor is it intended to. It is a great opportunity to involve many brothers and sisters, however, and to build enthusiasm and energy along with an anticipation of prospective contacts. Much credit must go to those TV pioneering brothers like the Abel brothers, Frank and Ron, and Bro. Morrie Stewart, who knew how to use the small screen to the glory of God!
We hope other brethren will see the benefit of the programs being produced and will continue to keep this particular effort in their prayers. Such efforts do not come cheap, so please consider this in your future contributions toward a very worthwhile endeavor in the Master’s work.
The Origin of the Organic World – Part One