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Clearbrook MB Church is in the process of setting up its own television station to broadcast its Sunday and mid-week programs to shut-ins and others within its community.
The idea for the station came from a former pastor of the church. The church has over 400 members. The median age of the congregation is 80, said Eldon DeFehr, associate pastor of the church and chair of the committee spearheading this project.
On May 20, the CRCT gave a licence to the B.C. MB Conference to broadcast "religious" programs. The CRTC does not allow individual churches to hold licences. However, the church will own the station and its programs. It is expecting to begin broadcasting in December.
DeFehr said that there are many individuals living in personal care homes and condominiums in the area that would benefit from the broadcasts. "In addition to reaching our shut-ins, it is our desire to minister to seniors within the range of our transmitter."
Moreover, the church has a potential to use the broadcasts as an evangelistic tool. Production would most likely happen in the church, and other MB churches could use the station. Advertising would not be allowed, according to licencing restrictions. The licence prohibits the station from re-broadcasting commercial programs. DeFehr called the programs the church would likely produce "senior friendly".
While the prospect seems limitless, the TV station will be operating at only 50 watts and have a 3.8 km range. But the signal should be strong enough to reach the church's members in the immediate area who cannot attend Sunday services, explained DeFehr. Already a number of seniors and others are tuning in to the church's radio broadcasts. In fact, some people have phoned the church asking for more information about the church and its programs, he said.
The station will use an ultra-high frequency and broadcast on channel 19 in the Abbotsford area. Viewers will need an FM loop antenna on their televisions to view the programs. Some facilities may acquire one receiver for their complex in the same way a satellite dish is used in hotels and smaller communities.
Services that will be broadcast include both English and German Sunday morning and evening services, mid-week Bible studies and even local funerals occasionally.
The TV committee is examining methods of financing the costs for the equipment needed to produce its programs as well as considering using part-time technical staff.
The church council has endorsed each of the proposals, and members at a July 28 meeting voted strongly in favour of the program. PW
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