HCJB Global's Whistling Frog Productions Earns Top Prizes at Two Awards Ceremonies
Contact: Rachel Baker, 719-590-9800, rbaker@hcjb.org
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo., Nov. 12, 2012 /Christian Newswire/ -- When HCJB Global United Kingdom's Whistling Frog Productions identified its mission to take the gospel to those outside the church who listen to mainstream radio stations, it determined to do it with excellence.
That excellence was recognized twice within one week when Whistling Frog Productions in Bradford, U.K., took home top honors from the Christian Broadcasting Council (CBC) Awards and the Jerusalem Awards for inspiring segments that aired on radio stations across Britain.
Whistling Frog placed first in the CBC Awards "Radio Short Features" category for its production of "The Band that Played On," the story of Wallace Hartley, bandleader aboard the Titanic's fateful sailing. CBC judges commented that the feature "packs a big punch, provoking thoughts about how we ourselves would face imminent death."
The feature's powerful message, told through voices, music and an interview with Hartley biographer Steve Turner, emphasized trusting Christ in times of hardship, suffering and even death. The truth of faith in trials was broadcast on Easter on 16 mainstream radio stations to 900,000 potential listeners.
Only a week after receiving the CBC award, Whistling Frog Productions took top honors again in the Jerusalem Awards "Short Form Audio" category with "The Pulse Passion." This series of one-minute radio spots was aired during Holy Week on The Pulse, a popular mainstream FM station in West Yorkshire. Each one-minute feature related an aspect of the passion story, such as violence, grief and new life, in a modern-day testimony. The judges called the series "gritty, relevant, well-produced and perfect for its audience."
The mission of HCJB Global is to take the good news of Christ to those who have not heard or are unengaged. Radio often overcomes the obstacles that keep people from the gospel.
"Sometimes those boundaries extend beyond mere geography," said Wayne Pederson, president and CEO of HCJB Global. "Our partners at Whistling Frog are crossing cultural barriers with excellence to become the voice of Jesus on mainstream radio. They are creatively reaching their neighbors who might never tune in to a Christian broadcast."
For 80 years the passion of HCJB Global (www.hcjbglobal.org) has been to make disciples of Christ. Using mass media, healthcare and education, and working with partners around the world, HCJB Global has ministries in more than 100 countries. The gospel is aired in more than 120 languages and dialects. Thousands of healthcare patients are meeting Jesus. Local believers are being trained as missionaries, pastors, broadcasters and healthcare providers.
To schedule an interview with Wayne Pederson, contact Communications Director Rachel Baker at 719.590.9800 or rbaker@hcjb.org.
