Tools for Today: International Gospel Hour

internatgospelhour

The first commercial radio broadcast aired in 1920. Our brotherhood quickly recognized the potential of the new medium for evangelism.

In 1934, V.E. Howard started a Bible-teaching radio program in Hot Springs, Arkansas. Before long, Howard’s voice was instantly recognizable to thousands across the U.S. They listened for his trademark question, “Are you listening?”. Howard’s flagship broadcast for our brotherhood didn’t seek contributions from listeners but rather shared the riches of the Gospel with them (Romans 10:12). Today that same show, now called International Gospel Hour, is aired about 100 times per week across America. With new stations being added to the syndication, the listening audience for International Gospel Hour will soon reach approximately 200,000.

IGH is the longest continuous broadcast in radio history.

Through the first 80 years of the show’s history, it had only two speakers. Brother Howard retired from radio in 1995 and, under the oversight of the elders of the West Fayetteville Church of Christ in Fayetteville, Tennessee, Winford Claiborne became the speaker. Brother Claiborne passed away in November 2014, and in January 2015 Jody Apple became the IGH speaker. He has preached for more than 30 years in Pennsylvania, Tennessee, and Puerto Rico, and also teaches at the Southeast Institute of Biblical Studies. Brother Apple will be here at Macland Road to speak to us at the evening services on Sunday, April 19.

How can you and I use IGH in our own Bible study and evangelistic efforts? Just last week a non-Christian called me from another state, discouraged by superficial, unscriptural pandering he found on so many religious broadcasts. Engaging, scriptural tools such as International Gospel Hour broadcasts and Web site are a great solution for him. Audio recordings and transcripts from past shows are available for free download at www.InternationalGospelHour.com. Whether we are studying the Bible privately, teaching a class, or conducting a home Bible study, we have ready access to engaging, professionally produced, biblically sound, free study materials all in one place, thanks to IGH.

International Gospel Hour is close to expanding in big ways. The leadership expects to add 120 weekly domestic broadcasts as well as shortwave and internet broadcasts throughout West, East, and South Africa, with the potential to reach a population in excess of of 800 million. Let’s pray for Brother Apple and this good work, and utilize its rich resources in our own service to God (2 Timothy 2:15).