PRESS RELEASE
I have some very exciting news to share with you: The Hour of Power is set to expand! The ministry leadership has invested the past several months visiting with other religious broadcasting ministries, and benchmarking their best practices. It quickly became evident that very few 60 minute ministry shows exist because they are quite expensive to film, edit and broadcast as paid programming. Clearly, 30 minute shows are the norm today – and the wave of the future.
ANNOUNCING YOUR HOUR OF POWER WITH BOBBY SCHULLER
In response to this marketplace reality, The Hour of Power will be launching a new 30 minute program entitled Your Hour of Power with Bobby Schuller. Think of it as an “express” version of The Hour of Power. The format of this new show will showcase the sermon from the traditional worship service, with other elements added from time to time, such as an excerpt from the in service interview.
Your Hour of Power with Bobby Schuller will be debuting on KCAL-9 in Los Angeles starting on June 14, 2015 at the following times (all Pacific Standard Time): 6:30 a.m., 9:30 a.m. and 11:30 p.m. All programs will air following our friend and colleague in ministry, Joel Osteen. The half hour format will be expanded to other markets shortly, with San Francisco and Tampa Bay on the immediate horizon.
SAYING FAREWELL TO KTLA
There is some sad news to report as well. The ministry has decided to end its relationship with KTLA in order to free up funds for the KCAL-9 air time. Many of you know that Sunday at 10:00 a.m. on KTLA was Dr. Schuller’s long time spot, but this slot simply did not generate enough viewership to justify the significant cost. The Hour of Power will air on KTLA for the last time on June 28, 2015.
ENJOY BOTH – NOT ONE OR THE OTHER
What about viewers who do not care for the half hour format? No problem! The 60 minute televised church service that viewers have come to know and love will continue to air on TBN and the Pop Network. You do not have to pick one or the other. Your Hour of Power with Bobby Schuller is available in addition to the current 60 minute Hour of Power. Please rest assured that this is not the beginning of the end for the 60 minute program. In other words, this is not the top of a slippery slope. The Hour of Power will continue to be America’s Television Church, with the finest choir, orchestral music, inspirational interviews, and spoken word.
NEW WINESKINS
The Scriptures remind us that we cannot pour new wine into old wineskins and expect them to hold (Mark 2:22). Doing so would destroy both the wine and the wineskins. In launching the 30 minute show, the ministry has intentionally decided to pursue new opportunities and markets that would be financially prohibitive for a 60 minute show. The Shepherd’s Grove Consistory has unanimously voted to endorse this half hour program as a cost effective way to reach the lost and least around the globe, while also retaining the full hour televised church service that is beloved by so many around the world. The ministry is so grateful for the thousands of generous donors who make this ministry possible. We remain committed to producing the very best in religious broadcasting, and delivering a world class worship experience directly to your home or mobile device. Our past has been glorious, but the best is yet to come!
–Russ Jacobson is the Chief Operating Officer for Crystal Cathedral Ministries, and also serves as the worship pastor for the traditional service. Russ is a graduate of UCLA, and Fuller Theological Seminary. He has been married to Deanna for 20 years, and they have three children: Teyo (13), Lani (11) and Lea (9.5).