A LEGACY OF FAITH
Bringing the Gospel to China Past, Present, and Future
In the 80 years since our foundation, we’ve experienced God’s faithfulness. When Bob Bowman, John Broger, and William Roberts followed God’s lead to start a missionary radio to share Christ with the world, they had one particular country in mind – China. Hence, Far East Broadcasting Co. (FEBC) was born.
1945
FEBC Founded with a Vision for China.
Robert Bowman, John Broger, and William Roberts establish FEBC, aiming to reach China through Christian broadcasting.
1946
John and Dorothy Broger stand beside the S.S. Lane Victory. John is about to leave for a journey to China and points beyond, in search of opportunities for broadcasting the gospel.
The May 1946 Far East Broadcaster gives account of the departure, and reports that John arrived in Shanghai on April 17 (1946).
1946
A view of Grace Baptist Church, Shanghai, where FEBC produced its first broadcasts for release on XLAW, Nanjing, in early 1947. The actual date of first broadcast was February 9. The building beyond the main church is where broadcasts were already being produced by local Christians. Note the antenna on the roof.
1947
The Nanjing Tai Dong Seminary choir that provided FEBC with music for its broadcasts. By the end of 1947 FEBC had 6 hours of broadcasts on XGOA, the government station, with local broadcasts in Shanghai and Nanking (Nanjing).
1948
First Broadcasts from Manila
FEBC launches its inaugural broadcasts from Manila's KZAS station, strategically positioned to reach China and Southeast Asia.
1948
Page from the giveaway calendar the CCBS intended distribute to its listeners. These individual pages are only 25mm x 50mm,on tissue-paper thin stock.
On the transparency mount is found the words, "Mrs. Kin, Cantonese." FEBC began broadcasting to China in the Fall of 1949. Mrs. Kin may have been a local resident of Manila, although most Chinese living in Manila are Amoy speakers.
1950s
Expansion into Southeast Asia
FEBC significantly expands its presence in Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand, and Laos, broadcasting in multiple regional languages.
FEBC significantly expands its presence in Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand, and Laos, broadcasting in multiple regional languages.
1960
Expansion of Transmitter Facilities
FEBC enhances its broadcasting capabilities with the inauguration of a 50,000-watt transmitter in Bulacan, Philippines.
FEBC enhances its broadcasting capabilities with the inauguration of a 50,000-watt transmitter in Bulacan, Philippines.
1962
Hong Kong Presence
FEBC opens studios in Hong Kong, becoming a critical broadcasting gateway into mainland China and East Asia.
FEBC opens studios in Hong Kong, becoming a critical broadcasting gateway into mainland China and East Asia.
The John and Florence Lin family portrait in about 1960. Children: Becky, Jim and Peter. John and Florence were pioneers for FEBC in the development, establishment, and operation of FEBC-Chinese operations in Okinawa, Hong Kong, Singapore and USA.
1980
Philippines Mega-Station
FEBC significantly upgrades facilities in Manila to enhance broadcast power into mainland China, greatly increasing its audience.
The Early Years:
FEBC in Shanghai
Right after the Second World War, God gave three American men (Robert Bowman, John Broger, and William Roberts) the vision to bring the gospel to Asia through radio. In December of 1945, Far East Broadcasting Company (FEBC International) was incorporated, and three months later John Broger set off for Shanghai, China, with very little money but a grand vision. China was still recovering from the devastation of war, and it was clear to Broger that only the gospel of Jesus Christ could bring true peace. He was warmly welcomed by James H Taylor II, who was running the ministry his grandfather had started, China Inland Mission.
Enthusiastic Chinese pastors such as Charles Chi joined the project, and a program recording studio was set up at Grace Baptist Church. However, six months of negotiating with the local authorities for a radio license proved unfruitful, as the Nationalist government was more occupied with the surging communists in the area. At best, Broger could get approval for several 500W stations, which lacked the transmitter power output to fulfill the broadcasting vision. Broger also travelled to other parts of China, such as Nanjing, Hangzhou and Macao, encountering similar responses as authorities were concerned that the radio stations could fall into the hands of the enemy. Finally, some early broadcasts were released on a local station in Nanjing in February of 1947, and later that year in Shanghai at the Shanghai Railway Station, but its reach was limited.
Meanwhile, Broger travelled to Manila in the Philippines to explore setting up a shortwave radio station, recognizing its incredible signal range. Here, God’s foresight was clearly displayed in wisdom and power. Broger experienced God’s favour, and within two years the first shortwave broadcast reached all of China; in June of 1948! In May of the following year, the Communist forces took control of Shanghai after fighting the Nationalists in what is known as the “Shanghai Campaign.” Had FEBC invested in purchasing more radio licenses, buildings and equipment, all would have been confiscated and used for propaganda. It signalled the end of all foreign missionary activity for decades to come; only through shortwave radio could the Chinese be reached with the gospel.
FINANCIAL
STEWARDSHIP
STEWARDSHIP
Your donation to FEBCanada’s China Ministries supports our dedicated team in Canada as they produce Christ-centred, Chinese-language programs to reach hearts for the Gospel. Your generosity also helps cover the cost of airtime to broadcast these messages into mainland China through powerful transmitters in the Philippines and other key locations. Every gift makes it possible to share the Good News with those who are listening—hungry for hope, and ready to receive the love of Jesus.
Your gift will help share with the unreached in China who have never heard the Good News!
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