Son Paul Crouch, Jr. also makes Church Report's influential list of believers
Contact: Susan M. Zahn, WDC Media PR, 877-862-3600, 530-963-3496, SusanZahn@wdcmedia.com, Office@wdcmedia.com
LOS ANGELES, Jan. 10 /Christian Newswire/ -- Calling him an "internationally recognized visionary in the field of Christian television," the Church Report named Dr. Paul Crouch Sr., Founder and President of the Trinity Broadcasting Network (TBN), one of the "50 Most Influential Christians in America" for 2006. It is the third consecutive year Dr. Crouch has been named to this prestigious listing.
Dr. Crouch was ranked as number six this year (as in 2005), up from his number nine ranking in 2004. Dr. Crouch's son, Paul Crouch Jr., also made the Church Report's listing for the second time, coming in at 18, up from 29 last year. He serves as vice president of administration for TBN, and works closely with his father in the network's rapidly expanding reach into new family-friendly broadcasting formats, that includes inspirational films.
Rounding out the Church Report's top five listing of influential American Christians was Joel Osteen, pastor of Lakewood Church in Houston in the number one slot; evangelist Dr. Billy Graham; Dr. Bill Hybels, pastor of Willow Creek Community Church in South Barrington, Ill.; Bishop T. D. Jakes, CEO of The Potter's House in Dallas, Tx.; and James C. Dobson, founder and chairman of Focus on the Family in Colorado Springs, Co.
"It is indeed an honor to be named with the many fine and Godly men and women on this year's Church Report listing," said Dr. Crouch. "The tremendous influence they have had in our society through their varying fields of endeavor simply cannot be overstated."
"The fact that Dr. Crouch placed so high on the list demonstrates the influence he has had in media and faith-based broadcasting," says Susan Zahn, an expert in faith-based media and president of the Christian public relations firm WDC Media. "Dr. Crouch and his wife Jan Crouch started TBN in 1973 with a vision to build a Christian television network that spanned the whole world. Today TBN is ranked as the world's largest Christian television network and America's most watched faith channel."
"Dr. Crouch's eldest son Paul Crouch Jr, also making the list for the second year signifies that God is faithful to raise up leadership to maintain the continuity of this great work and that other believers recognize his unique gifts and calling," says Zahn.
Across the nation and around the world TBN is carried by television stations and cable systems to millions of homes. For over 33 years, under the guidance of Dr. Crouch, TBN has beamed wholesome family and Christian programming to the nation and the world. With over 12,000 stations and cable affiliates fed by 54 satellites, TBN has a global presence that literally blankets the world with faith-based, family friendly programming.
For a complete listing of the Church Report's "50 Most Influential Christians in America," visit www.thechurchreport.com.
About TBN
TBN is the world's largest religious network and America's most watched faith channel. Each day TBN offers 24 hours of commercial-free inspirational programming that appeals to people in a wide variety of denominations. TBN now reaches every major continent via 54 satellites and more than 12,000 television and cable affiliates worldwide. In the United States, TBN is available to 92 percent of the total households. Its website receives more than 27 million visitors monthly. In addition to TBN, the network owns and operates seven networks, including: The Church Channel, JCTV youth network, TBN Enlace USA Spanish network, and Smile of a Child TV children's network. For more information on TBN, visit www.tbn.org.
