Ministry History

History of FEBCanada

The following is a brief timeline highlighting the history of FEBCanada;

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1943

Canadians Gordon Brand and Rowland Hill (charter members of the Rock of Ages Quartet) first meet Robert (Bob) Bowman, during their military leave in the United States – the start of a close personal and ministry friendship.

1945

Far East Broadcasting Company (FEBC) is incorporated in the United States. Robert H. Bowman, John Broger, and William J. Roberts are FEBC’s original officers.

1953

At the encouragement of Bob Bowman, the Rock of Ages Quartet begins promoting the work of Far East Broadcasting in Canada.
Widely known in western Canada through their radio broadcasts and missionary musicals, the Quartet readily gains an audience in Canadian churches. As promotional work of Far East Broadcasting in Canada expands, so does the awareness of the missionary radio network by Canadian Christians.

1964

April – Far East Broadcasting Associates of Canada (FEBCanada) is incorporated as a non-profit, charitable organization.
The first board of directors consists of Rock of Ages Quartet members and several other men, with Gordon Brand as chairman.
During the early years, FEBCanada operates out of board members’ homes.

1970

Emmett and Evelyn Peterson inaugurate the Radio Outreach Dinners in the early 1970’s (now known as Friendship Dinners). These functions have remained a significant source of growth in the support of FEBCanada.

1973

Dan Hallam, a charter member of the Rock of Ages Quartet, succeeds Gordon Brand as chairman of FEBCanada.

1975

A full-time administrative staff is appointed.
FEBCanada’s first “official” office is located in the Smith Building (at West 6th Avenue and Fir Street) in Vancouver, British Columbia. Later, the ministry moves to Richmond – first on Buswell Road, then the Airport Executive Park.

1978

Darrell and Judy Johnson depart for the Philippines – becoming FEBCanada’s first missionaries, serving in the areas of computers, broadcasting, and follow-up.

1979

Rev. Jim Pratt (a former missionary in Thailand, and director of Far East Broadcasting in that country) is appointed executive director of FEBCanada

1980

FEBCanada purchases its first computer system – takes full responsibility for the receipting of all Canadian donations.

1981

Rev. Art Hamm (a former missionary in India) is appointed as FEBCanada’s first regional representative – working in central Canada.

1984

Jake Janz is appointed FEBCanada’s first Prairies representative.
October – a new avenue of ministry for FEBCanada begins with the establishment of a Chinese programming section, for the production of radio programs for broadcast to China.
Rev. Philip Leung is appointed director of Chinese ministries; additional staff are recruited.
Initial program production is conducted in “loaned” facilities at a local church in the Greater Vancouver area.

1985

August – an office / warehouse building is purchased in Burnaby (Greater Vancouver), British Columbia.

1986

January – renovations at the Burnaby property commence.
May 17 – official dedication of FEBCanada’s new headquarters, an occasion attended by FEBC president and co-founder Dr. Bob Bowman, as well as ministry directors from several countries.
Robert and Peggy Choy leave for Hong Kong as FEBCanada missionaries; Robert is involved in the areas of engineering and programming.
Frank and Luz Matias move to Saipan as FEBCanada missionaries. Frank is involved in engineering, and Luz in program production. Prior to the appointment, the Matias’ served as staff with Far East Broadcasting in the Philippines – from 1952 until 1980, when the couple immigrated to Canada.

1987

With the appointment of Sionh Chan as Khmu-language program producer at FEBCanada, FEBC International initiates Gospel radio broadcasts to the Khmu tribes people of Southeast Asia.

1988

Mark and Sandy Fuller depart for the Seychelles as FEBCanada missionaries; Mark serves as an electrical engineer at FEBC International shortwave radio station. Their term is cut short by illness in the family; the Fullers return to Canada one year later.
Jake Janz succeeds Rev. Jim Pratt as executive director.

1989

A satellite production studio is dedicated in Toronto (Scarborough).

1991

Don Patterson joins FEBCanada as broadcast support coordinator.
Rev. Simon Lee succeeds Rev. Philip Leung as director of Chinese ministries.
FEBCanada missionaries Frank and Luz Matias (in Saipan), move to the Philippines for a one-year assignment with Project SAVE (Southeast Asia Voice of Evangelism). SAVE is Far East Broadcasting’s single largest undertaking. This multi-million dollar project involves the replacement and upgrading of the network’s aging broadcast equipment. The result is the efficient delivery of much-improved radio signals to 2.2 billion potential listeners in Southeast Asia.

1992

Upon the retirement of Jake Janz, the FEBCanada board appoints the management team of Don Patterson as director of broadcast support, Ken Reeve as director of administration / controller, and Rev. Simon Lee as director of Chinese ministries.
Andrew and Grace Rees leave for Saipan as FEBCanada missionaries; Andrew joins the engineering /maintenance team.

1993

Rev. Klaus Tonn is appointed regional director – for the promotion of FEBCanada in the Prairies and British Columbia’s Interior. Prior to the appointment, Rev. Tonn was the ministry’s Prairie representative (since 1989).
Toronto satellite studio moves to its current location in Markham, Ontario – facilitating increased program production.
Solina Chy moves to Manila as an FEBCanada missionary, serving as a Khmer-language program producer.
Sionh and Khamyeng Chan relocate to Chiangmai, Thailand as FEBCanada missionaries. Sionh serves as a Khmu-language program producer, while Khamyeng assists in the follow-up work.

1995

Rod and Beth Johnson depart for Saipan as FEBCanada missionaries. Rod is involved in the areas of engineering and computers; Beth provides secretarial and accounting support.
Edwin Tsang is appointed director of Chinese ministries.

1996

Mark and Sandy Fuller embark on their second tour of duty as FEBCanada missionaries – to the Philippines. Mark joins the engineering team of Project SAVE.
Solina Chy – missionary program producer for the Khmer language – relocates to Phnom Penh, where she becomes FEBC International’s program manager in Cambodia.

1998

Don Fairholm succeeds Dan Hallam as FEBCanada chairman.

2000

The Chinese ministries department inaugurates local broadcasting in Vancouver.

2004

FEBCanada celebrates 40 years of God’s faithfulness – the Canadian office was incorporated as a non-profit, charitable organization in 1964.
The International Broadcast Support department inaugurates its own video production – to promote the ministry’s worldwide work at its annual Friendship Dinners.

2005

December – FEBCanada’s head office is relocated to Richmond, British Columbia.

2006

Kevin and Lynn Baker – seconded from Wycliffe Canada – depart for Saipan as missionaries at FEBC International’s shortwave station KFBS on the island. Kevin is an experienced antenna rigger, serving in the maintenance department; Lynn is involved as a program traffic librarian at the radio station.

2010

January – Joseph Ko succeeds Don Patterson as director of international ministries.
July – Werner Zurbuchen is appointed FEBCanada’s regional director for Central / Atlantic Canada.

2014

February – Paul Birch becomes FEBCanada’s chairman.
April 8 marks the 50th anniversary of Far East Broadcasting’s Canadian office – it was incorporated as a non-profit, charitable organization in the province of British Columbia in 1964.

2015

January – Stenly Yuen becomes FEBCanada’s chairman.
August – Dave Grove succeeds Rev. Klaus Tonn as regional director for the Prairies and British Columbia’s Interior.