LCANZ Lutheran Media
Lutheran Media Report
Grace and peace to the wonderful folk of the Lutheran Church of New Zealand.
I’m excited to share with you about the work of Lutheran Media and its Messages of hope. Did you know that Lutheran Media is 80 this year? 80! Now that’s worth celebrating.
It was on the 2 September 1945 that The Lutheran Hour was first broadcast on Australian radio. The founder of the International Lutheran Hour, Dr Walter A. Maier, was heard on 36 stations in all capital cities and many large rural centres around Australia. Records show that 106 people responded by mail to that first program and 45 pounds was received in donations.
In 1952, Radio Mission began in New Zealand. The Lutheran Hour was first broadcast on 4XD in Dunedin and 2XM in Gisborne.
From these humble beginnings, God has richly blessed Lutheran media ministry in Australia and New Zealand. The content has varied in style and delivery over time, as has the technology: however, one thing has remained a constant – our desire to make Christ known.
Today we’re still found on radio stations – on around 50 stations broadcasting to over 1200 frequencies, including on the Rhema Christian network in New Zealand – and we’re still requiring donations to enable us to share Jesus to a hurting world. By the way, we receive no funding from the Lutheran Church of Australia, and no longer receive funding from the Lutheran Church of New Zealand (the funding previously enabled our content to be placed on commercial radio in New Zealand). Now that’s not criticism. Why? Because of you! Your prayers, your encouragement and your financial support have allowed us to share the love of Christ for 80 years and, God willing, for the next 80 years.
Lutheran Media, through our public-facing brand Messages of hope, share stories of people who are experiencing life’s challenges such as grief, loneliness, addiction, pain, depression and anxiety. With weekly podcasts, booklets offers, videos and more – found on our websites, on radio and across multiple social media platforms – Lutheran Media offers messages of the hope that is found in Jesus, which transforms lives. All this occurs thanks to a small and passionate team of staff and volunteers, a wonderful Board, and thanks to your support.
To celebrate our 80th year, Lutheran Media has launched a history book Lutheran media ministry in Australia and New Zealand: 80 years of blessings. The book captures fascinating stories from past directors, staff and volunteers. It’s inspiring to read of the humble beginnings of Lutheran media ministry in New Zealand and Australia – which included an initial ban from radio due to anti-German sentiments during WW2 – and to view the development of our mission. The history book is available from our website for only $15 plus postage: www.lutheranmedia.org.au. For New Zealanders, please donate $20 via our secure DONATE button on our website, and ensure you write ‘For history book’ in the Leave A Comment section and we’ll send the book to you.
I’d like to leave you with a quote from your history book:
The beginnings were very humble. The obstacles were many and great. The prayers were eager and intense. The efforts were incessant
and painstaking. But God seemed deaf to the prayers. For years nothing happened. And then door after door was opened by the Lord
in a series of dramatic developments that still leave those involved in it staggering at the marvellous ways in which God works and the
blessings he pours out in his own good time and amazing way.
Pastor Ed Koch, Director of Lutheran Radio and TV New Zealand 1952-1972
I thank God for those early pioneers, and those who follow, who embraced God’s mission of sharing the gospel via media with everyday people.
So is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it. Isaiah 55:11
Tania Nelson
Director, Lutheran Media
Donations to Lutheran Media can be made via our website using a credit card. Ways to Give – Lutheran Media
