Contact: Dr. Vic Eliason, 414-881-5189

NASHVILLE, March 10 /Standard Newswire/ -- "It is ironic that Christian broadcasters will be crowding into the Gaylord Opryland Resort's Delta Ballroom on Monday night, March 10, for a "Night of Comedy," says 50-year veteran Christian broadcaster, Dr. Vic Eliason, founder of the VCY America Radio Network and Channel 30 Television in Milwaukee. Eliason served in the past as president of Midwest NRB for two years and as NRB Board member for 18 years. He is currently attending the NRB Convention underway in Nashville.

"As Christian broadcasters we are facing a culture and nation that is increasingly hostile to biblical truth. We are looking at the possible resurrection of the Fairness Doctrine that would have a devastating impact on many of our ministries. We are facing one of the most important elections in our nation's history that will have huge consequences in all areas of life. We face terrorism worries, economic tremors and a steady encroachment on our civil liberties," he said. "The moral squalor in our land is ever worsening as evidenced by the multi-billion dollar porn industry that flows into our nation's homes to the harm of our children. Nearly 50 million preborn Americans have lost their lives in the womb, and the numbers continue to mount. In the extremely limited time we have here in Nashville, it is tragically significant that Christian broadcasters are spending Monday evening laughing their sides off at three comedians at the Night of Comedy, and following that up with Monday Night Madness an hour later for a meet and greet with the air-brushed celebrities of the music industry."

Eliason says he has seen vast changes in the landscape in Christian broadcasting over the decades. "When I began in Christian broadcasting years ago, there was a seriousness, a gravity among those whose driving passion was to air an unadulterated Gospel message. Ministry was the focus. We now have an "Industry" focus that results in Disney and Fox consultants coming in to tell us how to present the Gospel.

"A Disney exec is going to be telling us about, 'The Power of a Story'. We need the creators of Cinderella to tell us how to present the story of the living Christ? What ever happened to the power of the Holy Spirit?" asks Dr. Eliason. "The emphasis today is not on the preaching of the Word. We're told that nobody will listen to preaching any longer, that only images will suffice. Yet Scripture tells us in I Corinthians 1:21 that it is through the preaching of the Word that the Holy Spirit works to convert souls. In our endless and expensive quest for cultural relevance, we are losing the heart of the Gospel message, which is to deny ourselves, take up our crosses, and follow Christ. Unlike what many religious broadcasters are airing today, Jesus is not a life-enhancement product."

Dr. Eliason concludes by saying, "What a powerful thing it would be if all of those broadcasters who are still committed to getting the true Gospel out to the masses through media would kneel and seek God at a mass prayer meeting in the Delta Ballroom. We could confess corporately that all of our slick media techniques, all of the money that is now the motivation in so much of religious broadcasting, and all the man-made strategies are ultimately worthless in changing hearts without the power of God in our ministries. What we are needing as Christian broadcasters at this hour is repentance and a return to the core purpose for our vast media assets---to unapologetically preach Christ crucified, the only hope of the world."

Dr. Vic Eliason served as a president of Midwest NRB and served on the NRB Board of Directors for 18 years. He is founder and Executive Director of the VCY America Radio Network and Channel 30 Television in Milwaukee, Wisconsin and hosts the nationally syndicated radio show, Crosstalk, heard on 84 stations each day. Vic Eliason was a Christian radio pioneer in the Midwest back when FM was in its infancy and just celebrated 50 years of Christian broadcast ministry.

Contact Dr. Vic Eliason at the Opryland Resort and Convention Center  414-881-5189

VCY America Radio Network
800-729-9829