Listen Up TV marks five years of independent production
BURLINGTON, ON—Five years after Listen Up left the security and umbrella of Crossroads Christian Communications, the program has developed into a prominent Christian voice in Canada's mainstream media.
Created by Lorna Dueck, Listen Up began 10 years ago as a regular, weekly feature within the 100 Huntley Street program. Five years ago, Crossroads' founder David Mainse launched Dueck out on her own because he knew it would help to guarantee growth.
"I'm a great believer in a whole lot of initiatives and a whole lot of ministries rather than one great big humongous ministry," Mainse said at the time.
Specializing in exploring news from a Christian perspective, Listen Up 's voice increasingly speaks to secular viewers through weekly broadcasts on the Global Television Network—or any one of seven other networks where it airs 34 times each week.
Dueck has also exercised her influence writing regular opinion columns in The Globe and Mail, participating in "Salon," the Globe's online discussion forum and writing a regular column on the CBC website.
"I marvel that God invited and equipped us to communicate His story. He is passionate to be known by people," says Dueck, reflecting on the past five years.
"I'm also amazed how much the communications business has changed, how the world is consuming too much information too lightly. The Christian story is facing warp speed digestion. I didn't feel that way five years ago, but it's characteristic of 2009 and beyond."
While the growth has come, Dueck and her team have faced countless challenges along the way. Some of the biggest obstacles have been financial ones. Without a single funding source for Listen Up, it relies on individuals to support the ministry.
"Global TV is a hefty airtime bill for us," she explains. "We face the reality that the higher the quality of the [program], the more viewers will watch.
"Market value programming is $100,000 per half hour, according to the tax credit structure of the Canadian Television Fund. We only spend about one-third of that per episode.
"We haven't overcome the challenges, but we've learned persistence," says Dueck.
In spite of the on-going challenges, there's plenty to celebrate with the program gaining attention in surprising places.
Last Easter, Prime Minister Stephen Harper's representatives contacted the show to request the PM be given air time to make a special address to the nation. Eugene Peterson, author of The Message Bible, granted his first ever television interview to Dueck. And Dueck increasingly finds herself called by the members of the mainstream media to comment on faith issues.
What's next for Listen Up?
"A significant plan we have is to mentor young people into creating a product for their audiences under our charitable umbrella," says Dueck. "We're structured to diversify our audience with offering different shows. We've tried to put out the word that we're open to helping youth create their own show, to bring Christ to their generation."
Dear Readers:
ChristianWeek relies on your generous support. please take a minute and donate to help give voice to stories that inform, encourage and inspire.
Donations of $20 or more will receive a charitable receipt.Thank you, from Christianweek.
