We recently hosted a community breakfast for our generous partners and special friends in Cape Town, South Africa. In planning for the event, we found ourselves – as a team – going down the amazing historical path of CBN globally. We’ve been rediscovering the roots of CBN, discussing 400-year-old promises being fulfilled, and finding this incredible faith legacy being established again as the foundation of our own roles and purpose here at CBNSA.
I joined CBNSA just 6 months ago. As I’ve learned about CBN and through reading Pat Robertson’s autobiography Shout it from the Housetops, three things have become powerfully evident to me. These things have taught me so much about my role within the organisation and, more profoundly, within the Kingdom. My hope is that you will find them equally challenging and inspiring as you also try to live out His call on your life. To love others as Jesus did, to carry out the Great Commission, and to simply be obedient.
God’s promises are the same yesterday, today, tomorrow
412 years ago, on 29 April 1607, the British landed in Cape Henry, Virginia. They planted a cross in the sand, knelt in prayer, and dedicated that coastline to God and His mission – that it might be used to spread the Gospel worldwide.
350 years after that, after prayer, fasting and failure, Pat Robertson found himself scraping funds together to buy a dilapidated broadcasting station in Virginia Beach, a mere 30 minute drive from where the settlers had first landed and uttered their prayer.
62 years after that… And we are where we are today. CBN broadcasts across the globe, we’re introducing people to our faithful God and we’re trying to love them as well as we can. God truly remains the same. His purpose for our lives and the love He has for us never changes – we may change, but His love remains steadfast. The legacy of CBN is evidence of that.
Prayer is crazy powerful
We know this, we’ve heard it countless times. But do we really know it? Do we feel the power of our prayer resounding in our hearts and minds? How often do we say a prayer and then still lean on our own strength and understanding to see the answers come to pass? I certainly do that too often.
One thing that struck me while reading Shout it from the Housetops was Pat’s consistency and belief when it comes to prayer. He’s certainly human and has made many mistakes, but ultimately, his belief in God and submission to Him through prayer is what got CBN to where it is today. If he hadn’t sought God through prayer as often as he did, and submitted to God’s commands and promptings through prayer… I don’t think CBN would even be in existence. People wouldn’t be touched through the worldwide broadcasting platforms, thousands of lives wouldn’t be uplifted through the global humanitarian efforts and the love of God wouldn’t be reaching as far or as wide.
It seems that Pat understood that we have the ability to tap into the same power that raised Jesus from the dead. And that’s all possible through simple, faith-filled prayer.
God cares about every detail
Pat Robertson gave up a future of financial security, political power and easy living because he felt the pull of God. At times he was broke, with no idea where the next meal would come from to feed his family… Yet, he still obeyed and followed where he believed God was calling him to.
They always had food to eat and a roof over their heads. Their children were always clothed and loved. Yes, things were really tough at times and their motivation and hope may have wavered, but God always came through and always provided what they needed.
God cares about the little things in our lives just as much as the big things. He cares about our basic needs as well as our desires and our ambitions. He cares about the little orphan growing up without love and hope. He cares about the desperate person struck by disease or disaster. He cares, and He loves.
The conclusion – the heart of CBN
As an organisation, we want all the beautiful people of Southern Africa to hear the Living Word and have a real encounter with God. We want all people to experience His goodness and know who He is. We want all people to understand the amazing grace of the gospel. We’ve tasted and seen that He is good and we, too, want to “shout it from the housetops!’! It’s no longer became mere obedience, it’s become a heart passion, drive and desire for me, for my teammates, and for the organisation as a whole.
We urge you to join us on this journey if you haven’t already. There are so many ways for you to get involved. You can support us financially, pray with us, and get involved with specific ministries as a volunteer. Or even just chat with us about what you’re doing so we can share and encourage one another – as together we do whatever we can to grow the reach of HIs Kingdom. We’d love to hear from you!
Here is some insight into some of the work we do:
