A KEY factor in the Chesapeake Conference's outstanding soul-winning record is the unique daily radio broadcast. This saturation-type evangelism has become the focal point of the conference's Crisis Hour program. In conjunction with the beautiful Information Folder series of Bible lessons, the Amazing Facts radio venture has led more than four hundred persons into the church since the program was launched less than three years ago.
Statistics reveal that for every two who finish the ten-folder course, one is baptized. The latest figures reveal that 406 out of the 769 graduates have been baptized.
There are several reasons for these excellent baptismal results. First, the entire field is being covered daily by the Amazing Facts broadcast. Second, the modern style direct-approach Bible course goes hand in hand with the hard-sell doctrinal broad cast. The result is that those who take the lessons and listen to the daily broadcast for just one quarter get a full-message presentation. Third, the pastors are united in faithfully following up each radio interest.
The Amazing Facts program is based on a very definite philosophy. It grew out of the conviction that in this late hour of history the public is ready to hear the message in a more direct presentation. Untold thousands of honest, earnest seekers of truth are becoming disgusted with the ecumenical movement and the departure from Biblical preaching. This group is hungry for the truth, and their minds are open to anyone who will speak with conviction and authority from the Word of God. This large segment of people need a particular type of program that will reach them in a direct, forceful manner.
The Amazing Facts radio program format includes the following points:
1. It is a daily talk program of fifteen minutes, since the average busy American will seldom sit still longer.
2. It has a secular approach in order to reach the millions who would instantly turn off a religious broadcast.
3. It incorporates an element of unique appeal to capture interest and/or curiosity at the beginning of each broadcast.
4. It is a direct, evangelistic, doctrinal, and authoritative presentation.
5. The entire message is covered tactfully yet thoroughly each quarter.
Broadcast Description
The broadcast is introduced with different sound effects each day. This lends atmosphere to a snappy capsule statement about the subject to follow. There is no religious connotation in this statement, and the speaker could well be taken for a news analyst or commentator. For instance, if the subject happens to be on the signs of the end, background freeway-traffic sounds are heard while the speaker says, "Sixty-five years ago there was not a single high way in the world for an automobile, and the average American traveled two hundred miles in a year. Today he travels ten thousand miles a year in his own automobile. What has happened to revolutionize travel? I will be back in a moment with the amazing facts."
After this statement, a few seconds of the secular orchestration theme music comes in and then fades as the speaker introduces himself and the Amazing Facts broadcast. During the first minute of the sermon the speaker usually deals with current events, statistics, or other secular introductory material before getting into the midst of a Bible-centered discourse.
The broadcast closes with a minute spot light on one of the Bible course folders that might deal with the subject under discussion. In keeping with the secular approach to the nonreligious mind, the term Information Folder has been adopted instead of Bible course. Every effort has been made to create the widest appeal.
The same direct presentation is made in the folders as in the broadcast. The subject of unclean foods has proved to be one of the most popular. Listener response indicates that there is no lack of inter est in these distinctive Adventist doctrines. Since the program began, there have been only five or six adverse letters received.
Another feature is that the Information Folders are not sent out in any particular sequence. A student is not required to wade through subject material in which he has no interest.
Follow-up Program
A Xerox copy of all correspondence is sent to the pastor to help him make an intelligent initial contact after the course is completed. If a special responsive letter is received, showing unusual interest, it is forwarded immediately to the local pastor, who follows up the interest before the student has graduated from the course. A fol low-up card is returned to the office, reporting the visit and degree of interest shown by the student.
A soft-sell appeal is made on many of the broadcasts for gifts to keep the program strong. A book of the month is offered to those who enclose a gift when they write. The monthly gifts average more than five hundred dollars.
At least twelve other conferences are now airing the daily broadcast on twenty-six stations. The program is available on two different plans. The radio tapes can be rented from the conference. In this plan the Information Folders are cared for by the Chesapeake Conference. Now a new series of tapes is for sale. A local announcer will have to give a local address at the close of each broadcast. In this way any conference that wishes to put on the program can have full control of the radio program and the Information Folders. Further information is available through the Ministerial Association.
