Mississippi-based church
broadcast ministry expands scope
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A UMNS photo by Woody Woodrick Making The United Methodist Hour’s programs available online will give them worldwide reach, says the Rev. Eddie Rester.
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The
Rev. Eddie Rester, executive director and preacher for "The United
Methodist Hour," says having the program available through the Internet
makes it available worldwide and allows people to watch it on their own
schedule. The program, available on radio since 1971 and on television
since 1980, became available on the Web on Feb. 25, through a
relationship with iSeeTV. Plans for "The UM Hour" include possibly
offering other live events via the Internet, such as annual conferences,
as well as featuring guest speakers and training events. A UMNS photo
by Woody Woodrick. Photo #06-229. Accompanies UMNS story #136. 3/9/06 |
March 9, 2006
By Woody Woodrick*
JACKSON, Miss. (UMNS) — Methodism founder John Wesley said, “The world is my
parish.”
“The United Methodist Hour” now has the same philosophy — literally.
On Feb. 25, programming for “The United Methodist Hour” became available to
anyone in the world through the Internet. The organization is working in
conjunction with iSeeTV, a company of Continental Vista Broadcasting Group Inc.
based in The Woodlands, Texas.
“This expands our reach exponentially,” said the Rev. Eddie Rester, executive
director and preacher for The United Methodist Hour. “This allows
people to watch us at their leisure.”
The United Methodist Hour’s “Time That Makes The Difference” television and
radio programs will be available online. Viewers and listeners will be able to
access the iSeeTV site through a link in the www.thehour.org page.
“We’re pleased The United Methodist Hour has chosen iSeeTV’s solution to enable
it to connect with even more viewers than ever before,” said Greg Demetriades,
chief executive officer of Continental Vista Broadcasting Group. “Our
broadcasting technology will enable them to build upon their viewership numbers
and reach people all over the world.”
The United Methodist Hour’s radio program has been on air since 1971, and the
TV show has aired since 1980. Although both shows are titled “Time That Makes
The Difference,” they offer different content. The radio show features Rester
conversing about scripture with the Rev. Keith Tonkel and a guest, while during
the TV show, Rester and others present Bible lessons, sermons, music,
interviews and other inspirational material.
The TV show is seen on 14 television stations that reach 5 million homes in
seven states. Now, anyone with a computer can watch the full, 30-minute
program or favorite segments. The radio program is carried on about 15
stations, primarily in Mississippi but also in the community of John Day,
Ore.
Putting the shows on the Internet is just the beginning, Rester said. The
United Methodist Hour will be able to offer live events, such as annual
conference, and interactive events, such as discussions with guest speakers or
training events.
Rester said each week’s program will be available on the Web Thursday before
airing on TV on Sunday. The shows will be available free for a week.
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Graphic courtesy of the Mississippi Annual Conference The United Methodist Hour has a strong television coverage area in Mississippi and neighboring states.
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"The
United Methodist Hour" has a strong television coverage area in
Mississippi and neighboring states. The program, available on radio
since 1971 and on television since 1980, became available on the Web on
Feb. 25, through a relationship with iSeeTV. A graphic courtesy of the
Mississippi Annual Conference. A UMNS photo by Woody Woodrick. Photo
#06-230. Accompanies UMNS story #136. 3/9/06 |
The United Methodist Hour was able to enter the new venture —
which represents a cost of $20,000 — thanks to a gift from Wells Memorial
United Methodist Church in Jackson. Wells is Tonkel’s home church. Members
wanted a way to honor Tonkel’s 70th birthday. Tonkel has been part of the
program for several years.
Rester also sees The United Methodist Hour leading other United Methodist
ministries into Web ministry.
“We understand our unique place in United Methodism,” Rester said. “There is
nothing like ?The United Methodist Hour’ in the connection. We’re looking at
how this opens us to be a vehicle for the connection.”
Rester also said this might just be the beginning of churches and organizations
learning new ways to reach people for Christ.
“If media is moving to where everyone is, we have to follow,” he said. “We
moved from just radio to TV and now to the Web. This is the next step, and
we’re doing it in an excellent way.”
*Woodrick is editor of the Mississippi Advocate, the newspaper of the
United Methodist Church’s Mississippi Annual Conference.
News media contact: Tim Tanton, Nashville, Tenn., (615) 742-5470 or newsdesk@umcom.org.
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