On March 25, 1956 the first known It Is Written broadcast was aired. Since then, It Is Written has used the most updated technology to share the love of Christ. Today, its programming can be viewed by 97 percent of the world’s population.
Although this ministry was the first religious television program to air in color, It Is Written’s history was not always a success story. When a prominent church leader first asked George Vandeman to try television as a means of reaching people with the gospel, the project failed. It was the late 1940s, and people were unsure how to use television for Christian programming. Not everyone was convinced that the new technology had a future.
George Vandeman circa 1956 at the early It Is Written studio located in New York City.
In 1956, George Vandeman tried again and in March the first broadcast of It Is Written finally aired on television. The world of televised evangelism hasn’t been the same since. For the past six decades It Is Written has continued to share the light of God’s love around the world.
Today, It Is Written’s evangelistic series and weekly programming can be viewed by 97 percent of the world’s population on multiple television networks and online. It Is Written programming is broadcast on several networks including TBN, The Discovery Channel, ADTV, FirstLight, Hope Channel, LifeStyleTV, SafeTV, and 3ABN.
“As we turn the corner into our 60th year, our plans are bigger than ever,” said John Bradshaw, who has served as speaker and director of It Is Written since 2011. “Just weeks ago I met a stranger on a gravel path on the opposite side of the world who recognized me and said, ‘It Is Written has changed my life,’” Bradshaw said.
Sixty years after its first broadcast, It Is Written has sought to remain at the frontlines of media evangelism. Last year, it started a Bible school, released a mobile app, began a humanitarian project in Mongolia, and made the new Revelation Today evangelistic series available live to anyone with an Internet connection or smartphone. At the same time, it produced new television programming in English, Spanish, and American Sign Language, and relocated its headquarters to the U.S. state of Tennessee from California.
“I wish that my father were alive today to see what It Is Written has become in 2016,” said Connie Vandeman Jeffery, daughter of the founder, George Vandeman. “I wish he could meet John Bradshaw, and they could share stories of people who gave their hearts to Jesus because they tuned into a TV station or went to an evangelistic meeting, or found the program online.”
“How many more years do we have left to fulfill the gospel commission? It’s impossible to imagine we have another 60 years,” Bradshaw said. “I am hopeful we won’t celebrate too many more anniversaries. Jesus is soon to return, and the sooner the better.”
It Is Written plans to celebrate their diamond anniversary with a special televised program this fall featuring stories, music, and special features about the ministry’s impact around the world. Check with your church and local listings for broadcast times in your area.
Over the past six decades technology has changed dramatically. However It Is Written has remained steadfastly dedicated to using the most updated media to reach the world with the gospel.
