Celebrating 75 years of sharing the gospel light

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 19/02/2022 (1688 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

In 1947, two students from Mennonite Brethren Bible College in Winnipeg (a predecessor to Canadian Mennonite University) dreamed about using radio to share their Christian faith.

Henry Brucks and Henry Poetker had $1.98 between them, not nearly enough to pay the weekly fee of $54 to broadcast the program on a local AM station.

They weren’t deterred. They raised the funds from other students and friends and, on Feb. 23, 1947, the first episode of what became known as the Gospel Light Hour was broadcast.

Square One World Media is celebrating the 75th anniversary of that first broadcast with the launch of a new interactive history page on its website and a $75-for-75-years fundraising campaign. A historical documentary, with a working title of “Back to Square One,” will debut in fall.

“It’s a huge milestone for us,” said executive director Shoaib Ebadi. “Those two students left a huge legacy, with the vision passed down from one generation to another.”

In 1954, the Manitoba Mennonite Brethren Conference took on the Gospel Light Hour. In 1976, the name was changed to Mennonite Brethren Communications and the organization branched out into print, television and music. In 2008, it became an independent agency. The name Square One was adopted in 2014.

For Ebadi, the anniversary is “a celebration of God’s faithfulness over the years,” and of the support the ministry has received from donors and supporting churches.

He recounted how one woman sends Square One $12 every month.

“Each time I sign a thank-you letter for her, I thank God for her and for how she is giving what she can,” he said.

From its humble beginnings 75 years ago, Square One has grown to 12 radio and video programs in seven languages — Low German, Persian, Spanish, Ukrainian, English, Russian, and Arabic — that are shared around the world from its studios in the Elmwood neighbourhood of Winnipeg.

“Back in 1947, they used radio to share the message,” said Ebadi. “We are telling the same stories today of how God changes and transforms people’s lives, but now we are doing it with new technology and in new contexts.”

One thing that enhances Square One’s work is program hosts come from the countries where the programs are targeted.

“They grew up speaking the language, and know the culture,” said Ebadi.

One of the countries where Square One programming can be heard is Afghanistan, where there is a small and beleaguered Christian minority.

“There are no restrictions on what people can listen to inside their homes, but it could be trouble if the Taliban find out,” said Ebadi, who is originally from that country.

faith@freepress.mb.ca

The Free Press is committed to covering faith in Manitoba through our Religion in the News project. This reporting continues because readers like you step forward to fund it.

Donate now to support our reporting on religion.
Your donation is eligible for a charitable tax receipt. BECOME A FAITH JOURNALISM SUPPORTER