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| The History of 3ABN |
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Three Angels Broadcasting Network
began in the early morning hours of November 15, 1984, when Danny
Shelton, a carpenter from Southern Illinois, was kept awake by
troubling thoughts. Shelton recalled the Christian television stations
where he and his daughter Melody had sung gospel music. He was
concerned at the way in which God was misrepresented at times on those
stations. He longed to find a way to express God's love to the world,
and was then impressed to build a television station that would reach
the world with the gospel.
Although he had no degree in communications and no experience
in television, immediately he began to explore the ideas that finally
developed into 3ABN.
Later he visited a friend, a pastor who had some television
equipment. Shelton told him about what he had been impressed to do. To
Shelton's amazement, his friend told him he had recently been asked to
sell his television equipment, but then had been strongly impressed to
keep it until God further directed him. He told Shelton that he felt
God would show him the time and place to give away the equipment. As
they spoke on the phone later, the pastor volunteered to donate the
equipment to Shelton.
Many things happened in the next few months. As Shelton began
to speak in area churches others began to catch his vision. One person
donated two acres of land in Thompsonville, Illinois, on which to build
the station. When a microwave interference study was conducted on the
property, an amazed technician remarked, "Mr. Shelton, you must be the
luckiest man I know. On those two acres you have a clean sweep of every
satellite in the horizon without microwave interference.... This is
probably one of the only sites left in all of Southern Illinois."
A visit to the local Christian television station a few days
later brought about another conversation, this time with Clarence
Larson, the station engineer. After introducing himself to Shelton, he
pulled him aside, and said "I don't know why I'm telling you this, but
I believe a satellite uplink station could be built here in Southern
Illinois, in the Thompsonville area." Interestingly, Larson volunteered
this information with no knowledge of Shelton's dream.
As progress on the project continued, Shelton discovered
three-phase power would be required to operate the station. Larson
indicated that the cost to run lines from the nearest main road was
prohibitive. But upon investigation he discovered three-phase power
lines a few hundred feet (about a hundred meters) away from the
property, simply following a country road. When Shelton contacted the
power company, he asked why those lines ran through open fields away
from any factories or heavy machinery. The power company responded, "We
honestly have no idea."
As Shelton moved forward, doors continued to open. A satellite
uplink dish manufacturer agreed to begin building a $300,000 satellite
dish with only $10,000 down payment. Over the next few months the
studio and office facilities were built and furnished, and equipment
was purchased and installed without incurring any debt. Amazingly, on
November 23, 1986, just over two years after Shelton had the initial
idea for the station, Three Angels Broadcasting Network went on
satellite.
Today, 3ABN has grown steadily and has completed a second
production center with 20,000 square feet (1,860 square meters) of
floor space, which includes two large productions studios, control
rooms, and additional office space. One studio features a
professionally designed and versatile set used for "3ABN Presents,"
while the other features multiple set capability.
3ABN Worldwide
Three Angels Broadcasting Network began work in Russia in 1992 when
3ABN, in cooperation with Australian evangelist John Carter, conducted
a series of meeting in Nizhny Novgorod. This city, formerly named
Gorky, is the third largest in Russia and for many years has been
closed to the gospel. Response to the meetings resulted in many
conversions.
Following the meetings, the local church officials realized
that the 2,500 people baptized into the Christian faith needed a place
to worship. Three Angels Broadcasting Network purchased an unfinished
building with over 70,000 square feet (6,500 square meters) of space to
develop into an evangelism center to help meet this need. Today, the
3ABN Russian Evangelism Center includes a church, a large auditorium,
television studios, offices, and a literature distribution center.
In 1993 3ABN began to produce a Russian language program
airing seven days a week on a commercial television station in Nizhny
Novgorod. The program, called "Face to Face," is considered one of the
best-produced programs on that station. An offer of free Russian Bibles
to all those requesting them brought an overwhelming response of 1,000
- 2,000 requests per week!
In the years 1999-2000, 3ABN began expanding its satellite
coverage to include more of Europe, Africa, the Middle East, and Asia.
Additionally, 3ABN Radio was launched, opening another vast field of
potential viewers.
Program Overview
Three Angels Broadcasting Network offers a wide variety of
Christian programming 24 hours a day. Believing a healthy mind promotes
a healthy spiritual life, 3ABN considers health programming to be of
particular importance. Programs are designed to bring the viewers
important information on medical and lifestyle issues such as cancer
prevention, diabetes, and heart disease.
A stop smoking clinic runs continually for those who wish to
break their addiction to nicotine, while other programs deal with
issues such as drug and alcohol recovery. Vegetarian cooking programs
feature recipes showing viewers how to cook with less added fat, salt,
and sugar.
Another popular program, "Help Yourself to Health," deals with
subjects ranging from strengthening your immune system to home remedies
for everyday ailments.
A variety of family-oriented programs address everything from
child development to Christian education. Family experts share their
insights on such topics as discipline, education, parental roles, and
how to select a lifetime partner.
3ABN also produces Christian children's programming as a
healthy alternative to the usual commercial fare. A mix of songs,
stories, recipes, and experiments keep children's attention focused
while they learn important values and life skills.
3ABN's Biblical programs address topics ranging from current
Christian concerns to Bible prophecy seminars. Weekend church services
meet the needs of those unable to attend their local church. Some
programs are videotaped on location, while other programs address
viewer questions on Bible topics. 3ABN carries several nationally
syndicated religious programs as well.
President Danny Shelton hosts its flagship program, "3ABN
Today." This program airs daily, and features interviews with guests
from around the world, as well as a variety of musical artists. A
two-hour live version of the program airs on Thursday nights and
viewers are encouraged to call in their questions and comments.
You can receive further information about 3ABN by calling
(618) 627-4651 or by writing to 3ABN, P.O. Box 220, West Frankfort, IL
62896. Or visit our Contact Us page.
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