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| PHOTOS: Michael Chan |
A heartwarming and elaborate welcome awaited the visiting team from Singapore and other countries at the Christian Television System broadcast headquarters. CTS broadcasts Harvest Time, a 30-minute show featuring messages by Kong Hee.
The station put up a music and performance extravaganza that was broadcast Live, covering a medley of traditional fan dances, modern dance and soulful worship performances that wowed the studio audience and those watching on television.
The visitors were taken on a tour to view the station’s studio sets, control rooms and dubbing rooms to get an insight into the inner workings in the world of broadcasting.
CTS is the fourth largest Christian TV station in the world and has rapidly achieved global influence in the short 15 years since its inception in 1995. There are over 10 million households that subscribe to this station, which has been instrumental in uniting Christians in Korea. It was established by 86 primary Christian denominations and 43 religious associations, all of whom are shareholders. Coverage spans not just Korea but also Asia, Australia, North and Central America, southern Europe, Middle East and Africa.
CEO Kam Kyung Chul envisages the station to be a global broadcasting evangelist, to carry the “Great Commission” through media to the ends of the earth.
The station’s programs are diverse, and include interviews with celebrities and community leaders, current affairs discussions with Christian leaders, sermons, global missions and worship segments. There’s even a childcare program to help mothers and encourage higher birth rates.
Beyond its high-tech broadcast and media technology, CTS is a channel for good. In his address to the visiting team, Kong shared a letter he received during this trip. The writer wrote, “I was about to give up on my faith and turn away from God but I happened to switch on the TV and watched the CTS channel. It was broadcasting a message [by Kong] that helped me to turn back to God. Right now I am restored and actively serving as a leader at Yoido Full Gospel Church!”
Aries Zulkarnain, CHC’s pastor in charge of media programs and services, was impressed by what he saw. “Being here helps us to visualize what we can do back home in the future, in terms of media facilities, broadcast potential and reach. We want to go beyond providing content for sermons and move into producing content for CTS’ new family channel.”
Chan Kai Kong, manager of the IT department in CHC was equally impressed by “the diversity of programs” and “incredible global reach” achieved over such a short period of time. He added, “I believe such accelerated growth has been a result of constant prayer and tenacity. In terms of content, we want to contribute more than just religious topics but programs that inspire godly values, which can be viewed by all audiences.”
