Historic Radio Mission Group Names New President
The world's oldest international mission broadcasting agency, HCJB Global, announced Wayne Pederson as its new president on Monday.
Pederson, who is currently vice president of Moody Broadcasting in Chicago, succeeds David Johnson, who stepped down in June, to be the seventh president of the international missions organization.
"The board is delighted that Wayne has accepted the call to become HCJB Global's president. With his combination of godly character, seasoned leadership skills and passion for HCJB Global and its mission, he is uniquely equipped to serve as our president," said John Baugus, chairman of the board for HCJB Global.
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Glen Adams, the HCJB board member who headed the search team that selected Pederson, added, "Wayne Pederson has a great heart for missions, and he is intimately acquainted with HCJB Global. He is an exceptional leader with many years of experience in Christian broadcasting."
Pederson has been active in HCJB's leadership team for quite some time. He has been serving as acting president, been a member of the board of directors of HCJB Global for over two years, and worked with the ministry to raise money for key projects, including the launch of its satellite ministry in Latin America and Russia.
"I have a passion to see people come to Jesus," Pederson said. "My focus has been on using the media to accomplish that. However, as I grow older, God has sensitized my heart to the physical needs of people worldwide."
The Christian broadcast veteran said he looks forward to combing HCJB Global's radio ministry with its health care arm, HCJB Global Hands, to share that "God cares not only for people's eternal salvation, but for their welfare in this life."
He also wants to take advantage of new technologies on the internet - including Facebook, YouTube, podcasting and streaming – to reach the next generation with the Gospel.
"In order to do that, we not only need the new technology, we need young people that know how to use the new technology with the Gospel of Christ," he shared with Mission Network News.
Prior to joining Moody Broadcasting as manager of WMBI radio station, Pederson was executive director of Christian Music Broadcasters, president of the Mission America Coalition and president and chairman of the National Religious Broadcasters. From 1967 to 2002, he held various positions at Northwestern College, rising to the level of executive vice president for radio.
Pederson has a bachelor of arts degree in psychology from the University of Minnesota and a master of theology from Free Lutheran Theological Seminary in Minneapolis. He and his wife, Norma, live in Chicago and have two married children.
He will take the helm of the ministry on Nov. 1.
For more than 75 years, HCJB Global has been making disciples of Jesus Christ through the use of mass media, healthcare and education. The ministry works in more than 100 countries and broadcasts the Gospel in more than 120 languages and dialects.
