Yesterday, April 18, Elder Doug Batchelor, of Amazing Facts, addressed the Board of the Sacramento Central SDA Church in regard to some changes in his duties. As I write this, Elder Batchelor is in flight to the HQ of 3-ABN, where in a special TV program, these changes will be announced tonight. Then tomorrow, Elder Batchelor will fly back to Sacramento to preach Sabbath.

These changes have been approved by the President of the General Conference, the President of the NAD, ASI, and the Executive Board of 3-ABN.

Danny Shelton is resigning from his position as President of 3-ABN. I do not know, at this point what continued role Danny Shelton will have in the administration of 3-ABN. He is expected to announce today, that he wants to have more free time to devote to however he wants to spend his time.

Elder Doug Batchelor will become President of 3-ABN.

The two ministries are expected to continue but under the unified leadership of Elder Batchelor.

Addition to the above:

I just got off of the telephone from talking to Molly at 3-ABN.

She confirms the basic story that I have posted.

In regard to my question as to whether or not Danny Shelton will step down as President, she tells me that Danny has informed the Board that he wants to step down. As she understands it, a final decision has not been made as to whether or not Danny would step down.

Without revealing my source, I suspect that Danny Shelton and Doug Batchelor have reached an agreement on this, which Molly may not be aware of, and that my announcement that he was resigning as President is correct.

NOTE: This story is developing as we post. I encourage all to view the special program tonight (April 19) where this will be announced.

As a developing story, not all of the details are in place. It is possible that some changes will be made in the final version.

In any case, I have contacted 3-ABN, and told you what Molly said to me on the telephone.

As a developing story, we felt that you should be aware of it, and that you should have the opportunity to view the program tonight when the announcement is made.

When is this program going to be aired?

Tonight (April 19). I do not know the time.

3-ABN has been in need of pure leadership for some time. It has seemed highly difficult for our Lord to bless and promote His last day truth using questionable disciples entrusted to this task.
The separation of the end of the age saints from all impurities is necessary for Jesus to return to a purified flock.

Gus Foster

I think that is a harsh assessment. People are human and you can't judge people till you've walked in their shoes, be that in judging Linda or Danny. God has powerfully used both of them through the years and has continued to bless 3ABN.

Hello: Iam Arthur Griffith. Retired Adventist pastor to the deaf.
I would like to chat with the rest of you. At 86 now and disabled
I have plenty of time. Thank God, I still have a good mind.

Welcome Arthur! We are glad you are joined us! Feel free to join in any of the discussions!

Arthur Griffith, if you register please let me know, and we will give you a free account.. you have to register here

http://clubadventist.com/forum/ubbthreads.php/ubb/newuser

God has blessed 3ABN in spite of issues with personalities there and far be it from any of us to throw stones in glass houses. God also blessed Amazing Facts under the leadership of Joe Crews.

Doug Batchelor has done an outstanding job with Amazing Facts and I can't think of anyone better to take over leadership at 3ABN and keep it within the vision of what Danny hoped for when he started it with the help of so many others - which I believe included Joe Crews.

I look forward to watching the program and continuing to support 3ABN both financially and by promoting its programming among those I know.

BTW: why are people that are not registered or logged in able to post here?

At long last! (Much more could be said, but ...)

Regards,
Norm

[*NormF still keeps an eye on a few things.]

Gregory, for those who got stuck with a "way-less-than"-lifetime subscription to 3ABN on Sky Angel's satellite, and so no longer get any 3ABN productions, are there any alternatives available where this evening's announcement program can be viewed?

I suspect it will be kind of like watching the Berlin wall being pulled down - a bit anti-climatic, but satisfying in its own way.

Regards,
Norm

Thank you for the information, I will post it also on my site that all my tune in tonight to watch. I pray for 3ABN and I know that Danny has done a wonderful job with this ministry. I know that the Lord will bless Doug as well. He is a good man.

I know you did not ask me but I want to let you know they can watch it over the internet.

it can be watched on http://www.3abn.org

Especially, if you have high-speed internet.

I hope Danny is able to stay on at least in the capacity of a producer as the programs he produces on 3ABN are done so much better than what I watch on other Christian networks like TBN.

I have my own thoughts on that, however, unless Stan gives me clearance to do so, I will not go into that direction here at Club Adventist, but will more freely post my thoughts at Maritime SDA OnLine, Black SDA OnLine, etc.

Hmmm, after the 3abn discussion has been closed for so long here, I see you could resist this one.

Looks like it is going to start at 8:00 PM CT 3ABN Schedule

The following was copied from the Amazing Facts website:

-----beginning of quote-----

News Release: 4/18/2007 3ABN AND AMAZING FACTS TO UNITE MINISTRIES


MEDIA RELEASE

“If Christians were to act in concert, moving forward as one, under the direction of one Power, for the accomplishment of one purpose, they would move the world.”-- Testimonies, vol. 9, p. 221.

West Frankfort, IL – April 19, 2007 – Three Angels Broadcasting Network (3ABN) and Amazing Facts Ministries today announced upcoming plans for uniting the two international Christian media ministries. Lauding the global platform for evangelism this union will create, the Boards of Directors of both ministries unanimously approved moving toward joining the ministries under a new board and constituency.

Founded in 1984, 3ABN began broadcasting on November 23, 1986 and now transmits its signal to nine satellites that carry it to every inhabited continent with a potential viewing audience of hundreds of millions. In addition to its English-speaking television network, 3ABN operates 3ABN Books, 3ABN Radio and 3ABN Latino Television networks, along with a 3ABN television and radio production center in Nizhny Novgorod, Russia. The ministry has also announced plans to launch the 3ABN International Network before the year’s end. The second largest Christian network in North America (in numbers of owned and operated UHF stations), 3ABN also has full-power stations in Papua New Guinea, Uganda, and the Philippines.

Beginning with a fifteen-minute radio broadcast in 1966, Amazing Facts has grown into a successful soul-winning dynamo. For over forty years Amazing Facts has provided strong evangelistic, ministry through an array of services that include evangelistic training through the Amazing Facts Center of Evangelism (AFCOE), a team of live itinerant evangelists, publishing, radio and television broadcasts, Bible school and a popular internet ministry.

While there are still a number of organizational details to be worked out, with good council both ministries are confident these things can be accomplished rapidly. For the immediate future we anticipate most of the normal operations at both ministries will remain the same. Our goal will be to optimize greater evangelistic impact to the world, more efficient service to the body of Christ and better stewardship of resources through this dynamic partnership.

In making the announcement, 3ABN’s Founder Danny Shelton stated, “We’re excited about uniting our ministries, which will accelerate our array of evangelistic services to reach the multitudes. The Spirit-filled speakers of Amazing Facts will share the undiluted truth of God’s Word on 3ABN’s global platform. The ministries will mobilize an army of Christians to conduct Bible studies in cities worldwide. Time is short—we need to maximize our efforts to reach lost souls.”

Doug Batchelor, Amazing Facts President/Speaker, commented, “This uniting of ministries will expand our operations and forge an impressive team of Christian managers who bring their unique talents and reputation for visionary leadership to the new organization. Our union will surely lead to greater effectiveness and economy in spreading the gospel to the world. We’re really excited about this comprehensive opportunity to communicate the good news of Jesus Christ.”

Danny Shelton comments, “Through God’s miraculous blessing He has allowed me to witness 23 years of the unfolding of the vision for 3ABN. I truly believe that this historic partnership with Amazing Facts is a continuation of the vision and can only say with calm assurance, God is leading.”

Doug Batchelor states, “In 1844 Samuel Morse sent the first electronic message. Quoting from Numbers 23:23 ‘What hath God wrought!’ Media has now become for the proclamation of the Gospel what the printing press was 500 years ago. The union of these two dynamic ministries represents a miraculous milestone and opportunity to fulfill the great commission. It's hard to describe the staggering potential! I simply stand in awesome wonder declaring. ‘What hath God wrought!’ As 3ABN and Amazing Facts join hands and hearts, wonderful things can happen to expand Jesus’ Kingdom.”

“The secret of our success in the work of God will be found in the harmonious working of our people. There must be concentrated action. Every member of the body of Christ must act his part in the cause of God, according to the ability that God has given him. We must press together against obstructions and difficulties, shoulder to shoulder, heart to heart.--Review and Herald, Dec. 2, 1890.”

“’Press together; press together,’ are the words of our divine Instructor. Unity is strength; disunion is weakness and defeat.” {CH 517.3}

“Again and again the angel has said to me, ‘Press together, press together, be of one mind, of one judgment,’ Christ is the leader, and you are brethren; follow Him.--Letter 4, 1890.” {Ev 102.1}

For More Information, Contact:
Amazing Facts
Office: 916.434.3880, ext. 3009
info@amazingfacts.org

Watch Doug Batchelor on an extraordinary 3ABN Today LIVE tonight at 8 p.m. (CT). He'll join host Danny Shelton with a major announcement that will change the face of global evangelism.

(Rebroadcast Sunday, April 22, at 3 p.m. central time.)

-----end of quote-----

Here is the link to the above news item:

http://www.amazingfacts.org/news/read_news.asp?ID=138

Thanks, Daryl

I can just imagine Joe Crews looking down from above with a look of approval on his face.

...No, wait a minute!!! We don't believe that way. The dead know not anything but the living know that they shall die. Oh yea, I remember now.

Ok, Ok, let me start that again. I can just imagine Joe Crews patting Danny and Doug on the back once we arrive inside the golden gates and saying, "Well done."

Well, no one will be able to tear me away from the TV for two hours tonight. Wheewwweee only 35 minutes now. How exciting!

Can some one make notes? Please ... I am involved in something else that I can not get out of..

OK, let me find my paper and ink pen ;)

My wife and I have a high regard for Doug Batchelor, his presentations, his integrity, his intellect and his spirituality! We are delighted that these changes have finally happened and believe they are guided by the Lord's hand and that it bodes well for 3ABN's future ministry! We pray that Danny will seek the Lord's leading for his life in whatever course he chooses to follow in the future.

I want to watch all of the broadcast but I can't tonight. So Shane, please give us a report when it is all over. I am so imperessed so far as to how God has led these two ministries! I think God is about to do even more awsome things than ever before through 3ABN and Amazing Facts. Praise the Lord for leadership that is willing to listen to God's leading.

A lot of talk about the history of 3ABN and Amazing Facts and how things happened over the past few weeks that are leading to the merger. Danny said he had offered Doug Batchler a position with 3ABN and Doug turned it down. Then Danny offered him the position as president and Doug again turned it down (both times after much prayer) Then they got the idea of merging the ministries. The 3ABN board approved Monday and the Amazing Facts board yesterday. They want a close alliance with ASI too if they cannot actually include them in the merger.

The future officers are not decided however Doug Batchelor will be the likely President and Danny may remain the CEO. However things work out, Danny will not be leaving 3ABN.

2nd hour

BIG NEWS!!!

3ABN BACK ON SKYANGEL!!!

I know this messed up to say, but Danny's hair could compete with Donald Trump's. He seems so, car salesman like and smarmy. Anywho, Yay for Doug Batchelor! This should be great, hopefully Danny won't try to pull anything puppet strings.

Also announced in 2nd hour. 3ABN is going on VOD.

Sounds great to me!!

Wow!! The news is thrilling!!

Halfstep Denise

Well, I hope we'll see much less of Danny on the screen. I have no way of knowing for myself just what happened, but he certainly doesn't have my respect after the breakup with Linda. But I'm so grateful that 3ABN has continued its ministry.

On the other hand, I have high respect for Doug Bachelor -- have many good friends who have worked with Amazing Facts for many years. I hope we'll see Doug on screen more, but maybe not as I'm not sure if that's what will work best for him (definitely different personality from Danny).

I'm really excited about the VOD box they're bringing out -- it means anyone who can get high-speed internet can watch 3ABN at anytime with just a TV, no computer needed too! We're often overseas, but most often have good internet, so it will be wonderful to be able to have the programs that way. And my kids will LOVE being able to watch kids programs any time they want!!!!!

And it's just wonderful that Dish Network will now be carrying 3ABN in their basic lineup! I know they've been working on that and that's just EXCELLENT!!!

So happy evening to all in the USA -- it's Friday nearly noon here for me!

I hope we do continue to see Danny on 3ABN as well as Doug B as well as many of their new ideas or speakers that this joint venture brings together.

And I agree the VOD Box and everything else they are going to be offering is just fantastic news! It is very exciting to see how God is leading both of these ministries together.

It will also be interesting to see how ASI will work with all of this - which is a third ministry involved.

Yes ASI is wondeful. I have been to a couple conventions and the amount of energy, enthusiasm, dedication, and working for the Lord is incredible.

Could someone please fill me in on the Dish Network? Is this for real? If so, when does it start?

Elise

Shane:

Did you ever expect Adventist Today to link your comments on a subject in an e-mail message that they sent out?

Well, they did.

In a "Breaking News" message sent to their subscribers, they linked my post at the top of this thread. As such, your comments, and those of others have been distributed.

I took notes on what happened on the live program pertaining to the merger, and here they are in numbered format:

3ABN Live Notes – April 19, 2007

1. Danny Shelton said he had offered Pastor Doug Batchelor a position with 3ABN and he turned it down.

2. Then Danny Shelton offered Pastor Doug Batchelor the position as president and he again turned it down.

3. Then they got the idea of merging the ministries, 3ABN and Amazing Facts.

4. Garwin McNeilius thought this would be a great merger.

5. Shelley Quinn said to Danny Shelton, “When you offered him (referring to Pastor Doug Batchelor) the presidency.....”

6. Monday, April 16th, the 3ABN Board voted for merging with Amazing Facts.

7. Wednesday, April 18th, the Amazing Facts Board voted for merging with 3ABN.

8. New Board.

9. T9, page 221 quote re moving the world.

10. R&H 1890 quote re pressing together.

11. Join these ministries…..

12. 3ABN sees itself as a Supporting Ministry of the SDA Church, not as an Independent Ministry.

13. Danny Shelton alluded to Pastor Doug Batchelor as becoming President of 3ABN from this merger.

14. 3ABN and Amazing Facts will retain their individual identities.

15. Mollie will continue to take care of the Home Front (3ABN).

16. Dr. Walt Thompson said something about Danny Shelton’s willingness to share the burden with Pastor Doug Batchelor.

17. The future officers are not decided however Doug Batchelor will be the likely President.

18. Danny may remain the CEO.

19. However things work out, Danny will not be leaving 3ABN.

I don't think that has much to do with me but a lot to do with Club Adventist. Great exposure for C/A. I am sure there are other forums talking about this but AT choose to link to C/A. That says something about what Stan and the other leaders here have done here.

Daryl, nice job, I appreciate that and used that info, with Credit to you, to update our Pastors in our Conference.

Pastor Murray also had a dream and saw the meeting between Doug and Danny and the others in Denver that he was never told about. Doug says that his dream is Bible prophecy being fulfilled of old men dreaming dreams.

I heard that also.

I have not read all the posts in this thread, so please forgive me if this comment is redundant. Who shall now be the evangelist for Amazing Facts?

From what I understand, Amazing Facts has teams of evangelists. They also have a school of evangelism. Doug Batchelor is not the only evangelist there. It sounds like he will become the President of the combined ministry which mean he will keep his role at Amazing Facts but the details have yet to be worked out.

For me there's a caveat (as in the stockbrokers' ads): "Past performance is the best predictor of future activity..." or something like that.

IOW, Doug Batchelor is a totally different type of preacher from Danny [who never claimed to be a theologian; he's always been "just a country boy who made good"]. On the other hand, Doug is a BIBLE STUDENT as well as an EVANGELIST. I hope this new responsibility will not dilute his time away from his best talents.

I have a question is the VOD box the same as the satellite thing you can get from them? you know pay $199 and get the dish and the receiver then pay no subscription fee but get the 3ABN channels plus Loma Linda??

Check out this thread >>> 3ABN on IPTV

Well, he was the same before he took on Amazing Facts, and he's been doing that plus being senior pastor at Sac Central, right? I've not seen him work up close and personal, but I'm guessing he may have the skills to macro-manage and still be able to fulfill the mission. I think he's had great managers at AF (a very good family friend was in that position until he recently retired). Seems like he's good at surrounding himself with good people to do what needs to be done (seeing it from a distance here).

Hearing the recent news of the AF & 3ABN merger must say that I have felt for sometime that all was not "kosher" at 3ABN. Having seen the voluminous information from a variety of sources regarding Danny, Linda, Tommy and et. al. I believe the Lord's hand is intervening! God tolerated Lucifer's deception for a long time but eventually Lucifer's true intentions and actions became known. I pray that as the true nature of the situation as well as actions of the various parties becomes known that the various parties involved will repent and seek forgiveness.

3ABN has done much good but the Lord doesn't need 3ABN to finish His work. Yes, it would be wonderful if 3ABN can continue to be a positive witness to the world but it is not necessary in the scheme of things for it to continue in order to complete sending the final gospel message to the world. I hope that what is happening is not a cover up or business as usual.

I am a purchaser of one of the not-so-lifetime memberships on Sky Angel and was greatly disappointed when the Sky Angel satellite ended the 3ABN broadcasts. However I am convinced now that this interruption, beyond man's control, was probably God trying to tell us all that things were not right within the 3ABN ministry. Maybe God is still trying to get everyone involved to come clean, repent of sin and all wrong-doing and to turn to the Lord with all heart and soul, word and actions.

Bible history is replete with examples of how human behavior has frustrated the work of the Lord. Yet, in the final analysis, God is in charge and will overrule all and He will be vindicated before all His created beings!

Yes, Lord come quickly!!!

No. As the post described, this one uses your Internet connection and hooks up to your TV.

I think it is easy to suppose that we know why Sky Angel dropped 3ABN. I believe it was not the Lord who had his hand in that. He would not want the wonderful message that 3ABN brings about to be cancelled. It was likely the devil who was very unhappy with the message given by 3ABN and thus he worked hard to get it cancelled. But as all can see, God has intervened and it will be available to even more people now than ever before. That is how God works.

I think we should not rush in haste to judge things. I think this merger is fantastic. God doesn't "need" any of us to finish his work but he LOVES us to work with him and I am sure He will continue to use 3ABN and Amazing Facts and the Hope Channel and many other methods to finish His work. What a priviledge that he would let us work with him in reaching a lost world.

One can believe what they want (and often do), but that is kind of like saying because someone gets a cold, they must not be following the health message.

What happened was a mechanical failure on an old satellite. The satellite's estimated life is 12 to 14 years and it was 9 years old when it experienced the transponder failure. Saying it was God's will is like saying it was God's will that Hurricane Katrina destroyed New Orleans. It is possible but not likely. And if it was God's will, why did He have to knock out Golden Eagle and Spirit Television too?

I do not believe that the failure was God's will - not for one minute. It has hurt many ministries beyond 3ABN. However God was able to use this tragedy for good. As a result of the transponder failure, many Adventists have purchased the FTA dishes and now have not only 3ABN but also Hope and LLBN in their homes.