Free Republic

Treating spirituality as a normal part of daily life, Trinity Broadcasting Network (TBN) continues successfully to tally an ambitious, expanding list of landmark TV programming plus feature films suitable for the entire family.

With the success of "The Passion of the Christ" still reverberating throughout Hollywood while viewers increasingly tune into digital cable as an alternative, it’s not surprising that TBN gains favor among new viewers as the family-friendly network.

"TBN is home to tens of millions of American seeking a quality television experience," announced Bob Higley, Vice President of Cable and Satellite Relations. "TBN seeks to do more than merely entertain. TBN's goal is to inspire people, engage their minds and encourage their spirit through contemporary, positive programming that speaks to the heart.

"TBN's hit Reality-TV show, "Travel the Road," is one such offering. It chronicles the adventures of two idealistic, young missionaries trekking to dangerous and remote hideaways all over the world. The show spans 18 months, covers 25 countries, and stretches across 40,000 miles. "Travel the Road" explodes with daring exploits, on-the-edge surprises and incredible discoveries. Tim and Will undertake unbelievable expeditions, plunging into the far out and treacherous corners of the globe.

Another popular TBN program is "This Generation." A high-energy series packed with the latest Christian music videos, it's shot on location at X-games, super cross motorcycle racing, skydiving events plus more. Hosted by Curtis Eastman, "This Generation" won Eastman several coveted 1st place awards in Christian broadcasting.

TBN's family fare provides what scores of American households are eager to engage in entertainment that's quality matched with contemporary content that nurtures family values and spiritual beliefs.

With the success of "The Passion of the Christ" still reverberating throughout Hollywood while viewers increasingly tune into digital cable as an alternative, it’s not surprising that TBN has gained favor among new viewers as the family-friendly network.

TBN is taking its success formal and creating other networks such as its new youth network JCTV," explains Paul Crouch Jr., Vice President of Administration. "JCTV offers stylish, faith-based, state-of-the-art programs with dynamic music videos for those 13 to 29. The network features trendy programs that include reality shows, music videos, and game shows. Also, there are relevant talk shows, movies, comedy and competitive sports that speak to America's youth in a language they grab hold of.

"There is a mass audience out there that readily aligns itself with family-friendly programming," Crouch states. "They applaud it. They return to it. They tell their friends about it. Indeed, they ask for more."

TBN network planners are up-to-the-minute on viewer response to a variety of telecasting line-ups. The network stays current with what's in and what’s out in the general landscape of secular and Christian programming. By remaining at the forefront of meeting this contemporary challenge, TBN for over 31 years has stayed authentic to its spiritual purpose by crafting its high road prospectus to an audience geared towards experiencing television's best offerings.

TBN is America's most watched faith channel and is the world's largest religious network. TBN offers 24 hours of commercial-free inspirational programming that appeals to people in a wide variety of denominations. Faith-based programs include: Gospel music concerts, informative talk shows, contemporary music videos, positive programs for children, health and fitness shows, news and information programs, theatrical released movies and uplifting worship services from America's premier churches. TBN is now reaching every major continent via 43 satellites and over 10,000 television and cable affiliates worldwide. In the United States, TBN is available to 90 million broadcast, cable and satellite households, and its website receives over 25 million visitors per month.

SANTA ANA, Ca. (July 16, 2004) — The Free Wheelchair Mission (FWM) announces that his Majesty, Osagyefuo Amoatio Ofori Panin, King of Ghana, will be Guest of Honor and highlight speaker at FWM’s annual gala celebration in Orange County, CA. The event is set for July 28th.

The King of Ghana is a champion for the disabled in, not only his country, but globally. He is a passionate supporter of Free Wheelchair Mission, a nonprofit charitable organization headquartered in Santa Ana, CA.

As monarch to over 2.5 million people living in Ghana’s eastern region, King Panin studied abroad in England and the United States. The King, regarded as an eloquent orator as well as a dynamic statesman, regularly addresses his parliament. He holds audiences with foreign rulers and dignitaries worldwide, including Prince Charles (HRH).

The King is a fervent advocate for the poor and physically handicapped in his territories. For example, he is an enthusiastic supporter of Emmanual OfosuYeboah, national hero to his fellow Ghanaians. Emmanuel, accompanying King Panin on his visit to the United States, will be present at Free Wheelchair Mission's festive event.

Ghanaian Emmanuel, a 27-year-old year physically challenged international cyclist, was born with a severely deformed right leg. Having undergone surgery to affix a prosthetic leg, Emmanuel went on to win numerous competitions around the world. In 2003 he was the recipient of the distinguished Casey Martin Nike Award. Emmanuel was selected by an international panel of judges to represent Ghana as a torchbearer in the Olympic Torch Relay on June 11.

Free Wheelchair Mission provides the transforming gift of mobility — a free wheelchair — to the poorest-of-the-poor in third world countries. "In wealthy nations such as the U.S.," said Don Schoendorfer, Founder and President of FWM, "a disabled person can easily get a wheelchair. However, in many third world nations, millions of disabled adults and children live without this basic form of mobility. Many are reduced to crawling on the floor or waiting for someone to carry them. Our mission at FWM is to deliver, by the year 2010, 20 million wheelchairs to those in need."

In pursuing this global vision, FWM has grown dramatically in the last three years. For instance, FWM delivered 500+ free wheelchairs in 2001, 5000+ in 2002 and 20,000+ in 2003. FWM’s goal for 2004 is to raise $3,000,000 to deliver 75,000 free wheelchairs throughout the world.

"At approximately $40 per wheelchair," said Brett Trowbridge, spokesperson for FWM, "the cost to transform a life is incredibly small. How often do any of us have the opportunity literally to pick someone up off the ground in order to show this kind of practical compassion?"

To learn more about Free Wheelchair Mission, please visit http://www.freewheelchairmission.org/.

# # #

For media ops with the King of Ghana, Emmanual Ofosu Yeboah, or Don Schoendorfer, President and Founder of Free Wheelchair Mission --

Please contact:

Brett Trowbridge Free Wheelchair Missions (714) 931-7443 59brett@cox.net

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Susan Zahn Nat'l Media Op's WDC Media Agency (602) 299-6369 faithwireservice@aol.com

"SIX: The Mark Unleashed" — starring Steven Baldwin — showcases TRINITY BROADCASTING NETWORK’S growing list of Landmark TV Vistas and Breakout Films

The world’s largest Christian broadcasting network, Trinity Broadcasting Network [TBN], continues to showcase an ambitious, growing list of action-packed filmfare.

As part of the network’s Memorial Weekend line-up, TBN unleashed Steven Baldwin’s ["Fly Boys" (2003), "One Tough Cop" (1998)] talents to the delight of millions of viewers.

In "SIX: The Mark Unleashed" (Majestic Productions), Baldwin portrays the mysterious stranger who helps two political prisoners (David White and Kevin Downes) escape the grip of a brutal dictator ruling Earth in this pre-Armageddon chiller. It’s set in the not too distant future. "SIX: The Mark Unleashed" chronicles a world dominated by high-tech surveillance, a deadly chip implant and an unpredictable diabolical force.

A born again Christian, Steven Baldwin, is the youngest of the Baldwin brothers. He’s also the last to enter show business while openly proclaiming his newfound faith.

Baldwin, who has starred in over 25 major motion pictures, began his film career in the mid-80s with such successes as "Homeboy," "Last Exit to Brooklyn," and "Born on the Fourth." Baldwin co-starred in "The Usual Suspects" where he was cast as a hotheaded thief. In that role, he captured Hollywood’s eye — catapulting him into movie history.

TBN continues to expand its stable of films. For instance, "The Omega Code," a suspense lure, focuses on a prophetic code hidden inside The Torah.

In addition, the network continues to spark sizzling contemporary Christian music videos and talk shows spiced with celebrity one-on-one interviews. Add to that TBN’s World News and "Investigative Reports" as well as Gala Holiday Features, Reality TV, Documentaries and TBN's flagship production — "Praise the Lord." That means you’re talking programming that’s upscale, entertaining, informative, hip and — yes — inspirational.

HOME BEYOND THE SUN--is a film that uncovers the struggle for the soul of China as experienced most painfully by her children. Attempting to lower the birthrate to a single child per family, parents long for a son. When a daughter is born, she is often abandoned to orphanages where she is called a “found forsaken.” In this officially atheistic nation, Christians are involved not only in financing the orphanages, but also in the adoption of these little girls into an American home, a “Home Beyond the Sun.”

The film still communicates its purpose in touching our hearts for the orphaned people in our world.

The central character is Jenna Williams (Melissa Ade), a young woman who comes to China to teach English to a school of privileged boys. Herself an abandoned child, Jenna had been adopted by a loving Christian family and raised with love. When her parents died in an automobile accident, her godfather, Pastor Dan Jones (Stan Coles) stepped in to provide love and guidance. He sets her up with the appointment in China even though the government knows Jenna is a “Bible-college student.”

Providentially, Jenna stumbles across the path of a small orphanage where Mei Ming (Mung-Ling Tsui) is in charge. Not recognizing the danger of the Communist government’s disapproval of Christian teaching, Jenna blatantly connects herself with the orphanage and places both Mei Ming and the children in danger.

Befriending eight-year old Chu Lee (Molly Sayers), who is the oldest girl in the orphanage, Jenna and Chu Lee begin a relationship that eventuates in an American adoption with a family Pastor Dan has known for many years. What is not known at first is that this family of four wants to adopt because years ago they had given up a daughter themselves because of a premarital pregnancy and their hearts long to love the daughter they lost.

Showing the interplay of both American and Chinese people is an important message in this film.

This movie challenges the viewer to decide if certain laws are to be broken when it comes to human life.

This film hit a cord with me.

Here is the link to the film site: http://www.homebeyondthesun.com

Here is a link another intersting link on the film http://www.cinemainfocus.com/homebeyondthesun.htm

The theme of this year's Day of Prayer is "Let Freedom Ring," and organizers say it is in response to efforts to remove the words "under God" from the pledge and the Ten Commandments from public buildings. The Day of Prayer's suggestions for prayer include, "Many of our schools and universities are minimizing traditional subjects such as history and math, and are instead promoting a radical social agenda. For example, some schools begin teaching homosexual propaganda to kindergartners."

Not only are Christians (Muslims and Mormons have been excluded) praying for these things, the Post writes that the President is taking a major part in today's activities.

President Bush's participation in a National Day of Prayer ceremony with evangelical Christian leaders at the White House will be shown tonight, for the first time in prime-time viewing hours on Christian cable and satellite TV outlets nationwide. For Bush, the broadcast is an opportunity to address a sympathetic evangelical audience without the risk of alienating secular or non-Christian viewers, because it will not be carried in full by the major television networks. Focus on the Family has encouraged churches to pick up the live feed and host potluck dinners while congregants watch the President. Vonette Bright, widow of Campus Crusade for Christ founder Bill Bright, and Shirley Dobson, wife of Focus on the Family founder James C. Dobson, have arranged the activities since the 1980s under President Ronald Reagan. During the '90s, President Clinton kept a "low profile," says the Post, while Bush has made his presence felt, especially this election year.

The piece failed to mention anything about Kerry's participation, or lack of it. Christianty Todays Weblog did not find anything online about Kerry's opinions regarding the National Day of Prayer, and while Kerry's relationship with the Catholic church has been a hot topic, it's unfortunate that we hear more about Kerry's communion-taking than that what he prays for.

Unfortunately, the Washington Post frames its report in purely political terms. It misses the fact that many Christians believe praying about certain issues—abortion, homosexuality, public expressions of faith—is a religious duty. Certainly the pledge, the Ten Commandments, and public school curriculums are political matters, but they are also matters for prayer.

A Christian Science Monitor article does a better job describing potential difficulties mixing politics and prayer (especially when people with differing political opinions are involved), but it ends with a condescending quote from Alan Wolfe: "Prayer is really about the heart, and political life is about thinking and hard choices. That's why it's better not to mix these two."

Wolfe talks as if it's impossible to pray and think at the same time! But, perhaps just as importantly, he doesn't want prayer to include anything more than "the heart."

This comes at the same time that public prayer is being marginalized. The Supreme Court recently upheld a lower court ruling banning prayer before dinner at the Virginia Military Institute, and the ACLU recently threatened to sue La Mesa City Council in California if it doesn't stop beginning its sessions with prayer.

Unfortunately, calling the National Day of Prayer too political because Christians want to pray about specific issues completely ignores the reason millions of people are setting aside this day for prayer. National morality matters, and thank God people are praying about it.

More Articles:

National Day of Prayer:

People pray for a reason | Will supporters of praying to God win out tomorrow over the forces of human reason or will reason edge prayer? It's a question that surrounds the state Capitol, as Christians and other believers in Almighty God prepare to celebrate the National Day of Prayer (Tom Barnes, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette)

Christians plan National Day of Prayer events Thursday | Believing that there's power, not just safety, in numbers, Christians along the Treasure Coast and across the nation will gather Thursday to participate in the 53rd National Day of Prayer. (Stuart News, Florida)

Group limits Mormon participation in National Day of Prayer | Members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are not allowed to conduct the services at an event put together by the National Day of Prayer Task Force (KTVX, UT)

Let us pray | Greenvillians will gather at City Hall on Thursday for National Day of Prayer Thursday is a National Day of Prayer recognized across the nation as a time for people of all persuasions to come together with uplifted hands and spirit-filled hearts. (Delta Democrat Times, MS)

Recognizing the power of prayer | City officials, local clergy and McKinney residents will gather at Towne Lake Thursday evening for the annual National Day of Prayer, uniting under the theme Let Freedom Ring. (McKinney Courier-Gazette, Texas)

Bush to appear on Christian TV for prayer day | Three-hour program airs tonight (Washington Post)

National leaders urge Americans to participate in day of prayer | Today is the annual National Day of Prayer, but some believers say they find it hard to hear that still, small voice of the divine amid all the political posturing the occasion conjures up. (The Post and Courier, Charleston, SC)

With LDS excluded, faiths snub prayer day | For the past three years, Seventh-day Adventist Chaplain Linda Walton has helped organize services for the National Day of Prayer. But this year, Walton and other religious leaders in Utah are opting out of today's commemoration. The problem, she says, is that members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are not allowed to conduct the services (Associated Press)

National Day of Prayer gathering will be today | Community members will gather on the steps of the Stearns County Courthouse today for the National Day of Prayer. (St. Cloud Times, Minn.)

Praying in the USA | Where the National Day of Prayer comes from--and where it's going. (Weekly Standard)

When prayer and politics intersect | As part of Thursday's National Day of Prayer, many Americans will address public policies. (The Christian Science Monitor)

Day 5: Is A Massacre Brewing?

The Washington-DC based human rights group, ICC, has learned through their sources that the violence in Ambon, Maluku Islands, Indonesia is continuing. Gunfire and explosions rocked Ambon during the night, leaving at least eight wounded. In addition to many residents’ homes being burned down and churches going up in flames.

Christian residents are reporting that police in the area have often participated in the attacks or simply withdrawn from an area they are guarding to allow their fellow Muslims to attack the Christians. Yesterday the police guarding the Christians in the Kuda Mati area were suddenly and ominously ordered to withdraw.

In another incident, it was reported that a ship that docked at the pier in the midst of the violence; a source is reporting that two Christian passengers were immediately murdered by the Laskar Jihad crowd (Laskar Jihad is an Islamic militant group linked with Al Qaeda and responsible for the deaths of thousands of Indonesian Christians). Nine other Christian passengers were locked in the ship and then were later brought out and slaughtered by the Jihadis. A pregnant woman and three children were among the victims.

Laskar Jihad’s leader Ja'far Umar Thalib declared that he is ready to send thousands of men to Ambon. He also stated that in Ambon there are more policemen loyal to his organization than to the Police Chief.

Finally, it is reported that 12,000 Laskar Jihad warriors have left Java for Ambon. This has left the Christian community terrified. They remember the Laskar Jihad Islamic warriors who came to Ambon in 1999 and 2000 resulting in unbelievable atrocities in the name of Allah.

ICC implores all interested parties to immediately call or fax the Indonesian Embassy and plead for the Indonesian army to be sent to Ambon to prevent a massacre. They have responded favorably before and will do so again if pressure is applied. Please take a minute out of your day and help save the life of an Indonesian Christian.

The Indonesian Embassy can be contacted by phone: (202)775-5200 or by fax: (202)775-5365. To learn more, please visit http://www.persecution.org

The Road between Hollywood and Heaven just got shorter.

A petite woman with bright eyes and a warm smile, Karla Faye Tucker managed to focus attention on women, the death penalty and whether a repentant murderer deserves mercy. It was her conversion to Christianity and her prison ministering that led people from around the world to ask that her life be spared.

Tucker started using drugs when she was 8 years old. She turned to prostitution at 13. And by the time she turned 23 had killed two people with a pickax in Houston, Texas .

"This is the story you haven't heard", exclaims Helen. "There was this tremendous love story between Karla and prison minister Dana Brown that the world has yet to hear about, both Karla and Dana had a passion to serve God that's what drew them together, death row just happened to be the setting."

Some insiders predict a wave of New Testament- themed movies or uplifting films in general as a result of "The Passion of the Christ' box office success.

"Will there really be scriptural pictures - Old Testament, New Testament?" asked Peter Guber, a producer who formerly ran Sony Pictures Entertainment. "The answer seemingly is probably so."

That is 'good news' for Helen's production company Pulling Gs with two biblical features in development and a feature film looking for a distribution partner.

"This is an incredible time for filmmaker's," says writer, director and producer Helen Gibson, "We've always known there was a market out there for Christian themed projects but it took someone like Mel Gibson to blow it wide open, capturing the movie industry by surprise."

With the overwhelming success of "The Passion of the Christ" still reverberating through Hollywood, studio executives are asking whether the movie industry has completely overlooked a major segment of the American audience eager for religious content? "You can't ignore the numbers," said Mark Johnson, a veteran film producer. "You can't say it's just a fluke. There's something to be read here."

That's good news for independent filmmakers like Helen Gibson with Christian themed films eager to find distribution. Helen's film "Karla Faye Tucker FOREVERMORE" chronicles the last three years of death row inmate Karla Faye Tucker's life as a repentant pickax killer turned Godly. "This is the story you haven't heard", exclaims Helen. "There was this tremendous love story between Karla and prison minister Dana Brown that the world has yet to hear about, both Karla and Dana had a passion to serve God that's what drew them together, death row just happened to be the setting."

Critics everywhere agree, that soon a lot of powerful people in Hollywood will be screaming, "somebody get me a Christian film!" President Bob Berney of New Market Films, Mel Gibson's distributor, said of the demand, "it's huge, like a tsunami."

Some insiders predict a wave of New Testament-themed movies or uplifting films in general. "Will there really be scriptural pictures - Old Testament, New Testament?" asked Peter Guber, a producer who formerly ran Sony Pictures Entertainment. "The answer seemingly is probably so." That's really 'good news' for Helen's production company Pulling Gs with a completed Christian themed feature and two more Bible based film projects in the wings, one in pre-production and the other, based on the Apostle Paul, in development.

With NBC ordering a pilot of an apocalyptic show called "Revelations," partly based on the Book of Revelation and Pax TV turning Tim LaHaye and Jerry B. Jenkins best selling "Left Behind" series into a mid-season television series based on Biblical prophecy. Helen Gibson may not have long to wait.