AWR to Broadcast Session from Toronto

 Adventist World Radio was an active participant in the events of GC Session ’95 in Utrecht, Holland.  Attendees at that Session may remember the eye catching display and studio complex AWR operated at the entrance to the exhibit area.  Through large windows, visitors could watch the intense activity as radio program producers from around the world scrambled to meet broadcast deadlines and datelines.

“We plan to be just as active in Toronto,” says AWR president Don Jacobsen.  “Our plan is to make GC Session as exciting to those around the world who will listen to the broadcasts as to those who are able to be there in person.”

From an auspicious location, again at the entrance to the huge exhibit area, AWR plans to share the excitement of broadcasting to all the world from the SkyDome with Session participants.  “Our goal is to display not only the scope of AWR’s activities around the world in a formal exhibit, but also to make the broadcast activities visible to everyone who enters the exhibit area,” says Max Church, AWR vice-president for Development.

To accomplish their objectives, AWR will occupy one of the largest display areas at the Session.  “We will need this space to house the studios, editing rooms, announce booths and our open display area,” says Church.  “Visitors to our site will not only be able to watch professional broadcasters at work but will be able to participate in several interactive modules, such as computer data banks and a recording studio.”

 “The display area will emphasize broadcast technology in use by AWR to reach the remotest places of earth,”  Church adds.  “It will be obvious to everyone who visits us there that the Church is on the cutting edge of technology in its mission to give the gospel to the world, using shortwave, satellite, AM, FM and the Internet.”

AWR will provide daily programs in the four official languages of the Session: English, French, Portuguese and Spanish.  Several other languages are expected to be aired as well by program producers in other major tongues. Greg Scott, AWR’s program director at the Session, says, “In addition to the official language programs, other languages will be produced in the AWR complex as decided by our producers around the world, including Kiswahili, Mandarin Chinese, Romanian, Russian and others.”

To accommodate the production schedule, an extensive digital studio suite will be installed as part of the AWR exhibit.  A large computer editing room will serve approximately 25 broadcasters who will bring recordings of interviews, music and events for final editing.  A modern set of studios will provide all-digital mix down facilities where the final programs will be recorded.   Once completed, the programs will be transferred to a satellite uplinking station for distribution to international shortwave stations, local stations and networks around the globe. 

AWR expects to involve nearly 50 people in its efforts in Toronto.  Regular staff will be joined by volunteers to staff the exhibit and studio complex nearly around the clock.  “Since choice broadcast times vary as the world turns,” explains Scott, “we will operate nearly 24 hours each day to accomplish our mission.”

“GC Sessions are a challenge for us,” says Jacobsen, “because we want to expose the world to the excitement of the Session activities, yet we are on a very limited budget for coverage of an event of such a gigantic scale.  We will have to rely on our regular staff to put in the overtime and effort needed to make this a success.  But it will be worth it, to demonstrate to church members worldwide how God is using this special radio ministry to reach the unreachable.  [Allen R. Steele]