History

Clarence Jones and wife Katherine were called by God to start a missionary radio station in Latin America. Over the next two years Clarence seeks permission in Venezuela, Colombia, Panama and Cuba but permission is denied. But still he is convinced of his mission.

After prompting from friends he looks for permission in Ecuador and is granted a 25 year license for HCJB radio. On Christmas Day 1931 HCJB begins transmitting, broadcasting programmes in Spanish and English.

On Easter Sunday a new 10 kW transmitter goes on the air spreading HCJB's programmes around the world.

Through an affliation with NBC (National Broadcasting Cooperation), in North America, HCJB is equipped to broadcast important news regarding war events in eight languages.

Medical professionals joined the HCJB team and provided support to those affected by a significant earthquake in Pelileo, Ecuador. Residents were kept informed via updates from HCJB radio.

Convicted that hearing the message of Jesus was not enough for the people of Ecuador and that they needed to experience his love practically, construction began for a fully equipped, modern hospital. A place where all people could receive the best care, regardless of their race, social class or ability to pay. In 1955 Hospital Vozandes-Quito opens.

HCJB became aware of the huge medical need in the eastern jungle of Ecuador. Through gifts provided by radio listeners, HCJB were able to fund the construction of Hospital Vozandes-Shell which became a great outpost for relationships with communities in the jungle.

By 1960 regular teams would travel out into hard-to-reach places in the Ecuadorian jungle to provide medical clinics for small communities. Either by foot or in a custom-made medical caravan, teams would deliver medical supplies, food and other items. After the clinic closed for the day, residents would be invited to attend an evening meeting where the gospel would be presented to them.

To meet the huge amounts of electricity needed, and to provide the station with a cheaper, cleaner source of energy, HCJB engineers commissioned an innovative hydroelectric project. Working for over 6 years the project was finally complete in 1965, generating 1.8 million watts of power!

Lake Loreto dam is completed and dedicated. The dam was constructed to help regulate the water supply to the hydroelectric project.

The community development department launches in Ecuador, initialising the training of primary healthcare workers in small rural populations. This department would subsequently grow to coordinate Water, Sanitation and Hygiene projects (WASH) within communities. But also, piloting the training of villagers to become primary healthcare workers for their communities.

HCJB installs a 500 kW transmitter which doubles the organisation's total broadcast power to 1 million watts. A second hydroelectric generating plant is constructed adding an additional 4.2 megawatts of power to the station.

HCJB partnered with Trans World Radio and Far East Broadcasting Co. with a commitment to broadcast in every major language so that all men, women and children could hear the gospel in a language they could understand. Other organisations such as SIM, FEBA Radio and Words of Hope later joined the partnership called ‘World by Radio’.

In order to enable people to hear the gospel in a language they understand, partnership became essential. By developing partnerships with local believers, churches and ministries to plant local radio stations and produce programming, HCJB created a sustainable, replicable model that would positively impact communities consistently for the long-term.

To propel the radio planting initiative, and develop medical and community development projects, HCJB teams moved out of Ecuador and across the world to better support, equip and train local partners.

In 1997 creative radio productions begin in the UK under the name Whistling Frog Productions. The team have now been producing special Christian features on local radio in the UK for over two decades. The team looks for real stories of how God has changed lives and brought hope into dark places whilst making them relevant and engaging for everyday listeners.

The North African service begins broadcasting Arabic programming. By 2008 this will have 1 million listeners each week.

Medical relief teams are sent from Ecuador to Indonesia and Pakistan to help with disaster relief efforts. HCJB also joins the English Conversation Project (ECP). ECP helps learners improve their understanding of English through topical radio programmes spoken in fewer words, shorter sentences and at a slow speed. Learners can also be a part of English conversation clubs in their community or online.

The growing mission of HCJB across the world was celebrated in 2009 as our first African water project was completed in Ghana. Since then we have partnered with other organisations across Africa to implement water systems in local communities.

Medical relief teams are sent to Haiti in response to the devastating earthquake.

A new medical internship begins in Ghana, where university students put their training into practice at mobile village clinics.

HCJB’s first unreached people group (UPG) team begins to serve in a Central Asian nation. A doctor establishes a medical clinic and our first Central Asian water project is completed in a remote region, working with local Christian partners.

HCJB becomes Reach Beyond! With a new name change comes a renewed passion and drive to share the love of Jesus in places where the gospel has seldom, if ever been heard. Through radio and modern media we aim to be the voice of Jesus. Through medical clinics, counselling in war-torn countries and clean water projects we aim to be the hands of Jesus.

Over 600 radio stations have been planted by the organisation since 1992!

The Millside Centre opened its doors to the community in February. Based in the ground floor of Reach Beyond's offices in Bradford, the centre provides a safe space for vulnerable people such as refugees and asylum seekers to access the help and support they need.

Together with a local partner, Reach Beyond established a primary healthcare and maternity clinic within a Rohingya Refugee Camp, Bangladesh. The team serve over 100 patients a day, treating conditions and prescribing medicine. Monthly teams of Christian medical professionals from around the world join to support the running of the clinic.

Reach Beyond began sending teams to the Greek Islands to serve refugees. These regular teams partner with local NGOs to help distribute food and water, and assist with capacity building activities in addition to providing simple medical care and advice to women and children.