Seventy-five years ago this weekend (the first Sunday in January 1934) Herbert Armstrong began broadcasting on radio station KORE in Eugene, Oregon. It is good to pause and consider the significance of the event as a reminder of the core mission of the Church.
We all know the story from the Autobiography, and wonderfully told in the film shown at last year’s Feast of Tabernacles, of how Mr. Armstrong boldly stepped out in the midst of an economic depression with a handful of supporters to seize the reins of mass media and preach the gospel. It took vision to see what could be done when hearts and minds were united in a work of proclaiming Christ’s gospel to all the world.
It was also an audacious vision. The world would scoff at a handful of poor people in a corner of Oregon being fired with the idea of supporting such an effort–thinking that what they were doing could reach further than their little valley. But as we all know from the history, God had something in mind and He blessed their humble attitudes and heartfelt efforts. These people knew they were setting their hands to a “good work”.
Mr. Armstrong wrote of this event: “In the light of fast-developing, world-encircling events, it became apparent that what was actually happening in 1934 was precisely this: Jesus Christ was opening the gigantic mass-media doof of radio and the printing press for the proclaiming of His same original gospel to all the world!” (Autobiography, page 539)
I believe Christ has opened even greater mass media doors for the Church today. In addition to television, radio and print we have the rapidly developing internet which is transforming how all organizations use media to communicate their message. Our message is the gospel and it is that story Christ wants communicated ever more effectively to today’s world. World events today are more perilous than even 1934.
A recent Wall Street Journal article entitled, “Security Should be the Deciding Issue”, wrote this: “Whatever the parallels between the current economic situation and that of the early 1930’s, the current international environment is by any comparison more dangerous for the U.S. than the one that led to World War II (emphasis mine throughout). This is not hyperbole, particularly considering a last factor. When France and Britain ignored developing dangers while handling them would have been possible and relatively inexpensive, America was able to bail them out, if at terrific cost. There is no one to save us if we make similar mistakes in the coming years.” (WSJ, October 31, 2008).
America and the world stand today at a critical juncture of history. The winds of prophecy are blowing stronger than ever, pushing events closer to the conclusion of this age. We still have an opportunity and the obligation to preach a strong message to a world rushing into the jaws of tribulation. God’s people stand ready, just as they did in 1934, to support such an effort.
I have asked members to unite in a vigil of prayer that God would open a “great and effective door” (1 Corinthians 16:8) for preaching the gospel. I can’t think of a better way to commemorate what Mr. Armstrong did on that Sunday morning seventy-five years ago.
