CBN’s mission statement, “to prepare the nations of the world for the coming of Jesus Christ and the establishment of the Kingdom of God on earth”, is a statement of our individual mission as Jesus followers too. I’m guessing you’ve known Him long enough to understand that He chooses to use ordinary people like you and me to expand His kingdom and change the world. We get to play a key role, no matter our age or stature, in the greatest (com)mission there ever was! This year, CBN South Africa is once again determined to push forward with this in innovative ways all over Southern Africa – on the air (production and broadcast), on the ground (training and events, humanitarian aid, and community projects) and online (digital evangelism and discipleship). This proclamation and demonstration of God’s Kingdom in Southern Africa only happens through honest, creative, Godly partnerships. Partnership with credible local church, partnership with other Kingdom-minded organisations… and partnership with Kingdom-carrying people like you. Thank you for choosing to invest in and be part of CBN’s ongoing mission.
A Burning Calling
CBN’s ultimate “why” is to achieve a time in history when “the knowledge of the Lord will cover the earth as the waters cover the sea.” The spiritual roots and heritage of CBN’s unique ministry is a powerful story of authentic faith in action, rooted in a constantly growing vision and understanding of His purposes. As with many other significant ministries, CBN was birthed out of an individual with an unshakeable ‘holy discontent’ – a gnawing dissatisfaction with possessions, success and ‘ordinary life’. As Pat Robertson responded to this growing feeling within him and started to move towards what he began to recognize as God’s call, he prayed prayers like this one: “Oh God, tell me what to do. I’m so inexperienced in Your ways. Lead me. Guide me.” And God did guide him. As you may know, Pat’s burning desire to serve God was soon focused into starting a TV station which he had no money for, and knew almost nothing about.
But as step of faith followed step of faith, he soon had the keys to a tiny broken-down station building and was depositing the first $3 CBN partner contribution into the new ministry account, which he rather audaciously called “Christian Broadcasting Network, Inc.” Pat was able to see beyond his daily challenges, failures and even successes. The vision for CBN was not primarily based on what he saw or knew or had – it was based on what God saw, what God knew, what God had.
He dedicated enough time with His Father and made enough intentional sacrifice to ensure that he started to see his unique potential and calling the way that God did. “I knew these were not just desires, but actual prophetic longings which God had placed on my heart”. He had his ‘WHY’ and he worked hard every day towards what God had put inside him to do. What has he put on your heart this year, even as you sit reading this?
A Challenge for 2022
This year, how will your purpose, your calling, your ‘why’ – impact your world around you? How will mine? As Christ followers, are we content to just be thermometers, measuring and judging and complaining about all the bad stuff going on around us, or are we going to arise and be more like thermostats – understanding and then causing change to the atmosphere around us?
We at CBN SA are determined to be people of true, vibrant, ‘useful’ faith, and therefore a blessing to the people of Southern Africa. We want to be telling more and more exciting stories of what God is doing on the air, on the ground and online, but we are even more eager to become part of His life-changing stories. And stories alongside Jesus will seldom be easy… but they will never be boring! Each of us in our team wants to be known more for what we’re for than for what we’re against. We want to be shapers of the future, not mere commentators, and judges of the present. Thermostats, not just thermometers.
So, again, as we get stuck into another year filled with challenge, hope and opportunity, I want to say a big thank you. Thank you for being part of this mission to bring our Lord’s truth and blessing to the diverse, people across our region with innovation and excellence – on the air, on the ground and online.
