by David Kenney, Evangelist, Wadsworth, Ohio, church
WEST FAYETTEVILLE, Tenn. (BNc) — The International Gospel Hour (IGH) hosted its annual dinner in Henderson, Tenn., Feb. 7, during the Freed-Hardeman University Bible Lectureship.
Winford Claiborne, Director and Speaker, provided an update of the program and events over the past year.
The elders at West Fayetteville, Tenn., made remarks about their oversight of the program. Then, David Sain, Operations Manager, provided a Status Update Report for 2010.
A regular feature of the IGH Dinner includes a guest speaker. This year’s guest speaker was Tony Lawrence, the Pulpit Minister for the church at Bybee Branch, McMinnville, Tenn.
IGH began in 1934 by V. E. Howard who served as the main speaker along with Wallace Skipper for 46 years. Prior to Howard’s death in 2000, plans were made to continue the program into the 21st century.
In 1995, IGH was relocated from Texarkana, Tex., to the oversight of the eldership at West Fayetteville, Tenn.
Winford Claiborne became the next Speaker and Director of the program. Brother Claiborne has served as a preacher, college lecturer and director of the Freed-Hardeman University Bible Lectureship.
When the program relocated, Wallace and Dauna Skipper moved to Tennessee to continue their work with IGH.
When “Brother Skip” passed away in 2006, David Sain agreed to work as the next Operations Manager. Sister Skipper continues to work as the secretary for the program. From the program’s website, the following provides a profile:
- Twenty-one 50,000-watt stations, including 14 clear-channel stations, cover the continental U.S., and reach into Canada and Mexico.
- In addition, 138 stations in 27 states also carry various programs prepared by IGH in 30, 25, 15 and 5 minute programs.
- It is estimated the program airs 241 times every week.
- The program also appears on Gospel Broadcasting Network on certain cable channels and on www.gbntv.org.
- Manuscripts from prior programs going back to 1995 are available on the site for free download, plus audio files are also available for some broadcasts.
The program is available on WWVA (1170 AM) on Sunday nights at 9:00 p.m.
For those unable to pick up the radio broadcast, the 25-minute audio program is available on the website. It contains a powerhouse of audio and manuscripts that would equip many for the work.
Brother Claiborne has written several excellent books which the proceeds go to continue the radio program.
The IGH maintains a Facebook group with updates.
The outlook for preaching the gospel on the radio remains an excellent evangelistic opportunity and reaches places often unavailable to hear the gospel.
Please share this information with your friends and family!
Adapted from the Ebulletin for the Wadsworth church of Christ for April 3, 2011. Used by permission.
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