COLORADO SPRINGS, COLORADO (ANS) -- Wayne Pederson, vice president of Moody Broadcasting, will become HCJB Global's new president Nov. 1, the international mission's organization announced today.

Wayne Pederson

Pederson will replace David Johnson, who stepped down in June after serving for seven years. Dr. James D. Allen has been serving as acting president.

Pederson is the seventh person to serve as HCJB Global's president. He has been a member of the board of directors of HCJB Global for two-and-a-half years. He also has worked with the ministry to raise money for key projects, including the launch of its satellite ministry in Latin America and Russia.

"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.

"Wayne Pederson has a great heart for missions, and he is intimately acquainted with HCJB Global," said Glen Adams, the HCJB board member who headed the search team that selected Pederson. "He is an exceptional leader with many years of experience in Christian broadcasting.

"Further, he comes to us at an important time in the life if our ministry, and he brings a vision that will challenge all of us as we join together in the coming months and years to be the 'voice and hands of Jesus,'" Adams said.

"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.

"By combining HCJB Global Voice with HCJB Global Hands, we can demonstrate the love of Christ in very practical ways. That kind of caring opens the door for us to share the great spiritual truth that God cares not only for people's eternal salvation, but for their welfare in this life," Pederson said.

A native of Minnesota, 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.

Prior to joining Moody Broadcasting as manager of WMBI, 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.

For 77 years, HCJB Global's passion has been to make disciples of Jesus Christ. Using mass media, healthcare and education, and working with partners around the world, HCJB Global has ministries in more than 100 countries. The Gospel is aired in more than 120 languages and dialects. Thousands of healthcare patients are meeting Jesus. Local believers are being trained as missionaries, pastors, broadcasters and healthcare providers.

Media Contact: Alex Coffin, 704/364-2942, acoffin@inchristcommunications.com  

** Michael Ireland, Chief Correspondent of ANS, is an international British freelance journalist who was formerly a reporter with a London newspaper and has been a frequent contributor to UCB Europe, a British Christian radio station. Michael's involvement with ASSIST News Service is a sponsored ministry department -- Michael Ireland Media Missionary (MIMM) -- of A.C.T. International at: Artists in Christian Testimony (A.C.T.) International.