Willard Thiessen
With a dream to see Christian television in Canada, Willard and Betty Thiessen visited American Christian television stations, hoping to re-broadcast them in Canada. When all options failed, they understood that God wanted to do a new thing in Canada.
In 1974, Willard left his career in rocket sales, and on October 6, 1976, he and Betty were on the air, hosting It’s a New Day, a one-hour Christian talk show. And the response was incredible! It’s a New Day, the first Christian show of this format ever seen in Canada, caused the phones to ring, and many viewers soon joined the team, using their resources to keep the new program on the air.
Within the community, people responded to the real message of Jesus being portrayed, called in for prayer; and, many, for the first time, understood the hope of God. Canadian Christian television - the dream – had become a reality.
In time, the market began spreading westward to other stations, and across Canada. Years passed and soon It's a New Day was airing five days a week on several television stations across Canada.
In 1978, the ministry began creating and producing the children’s program Follow Me, which aired for five years. Then in 1986, a new children's program named Sonshiny Day was launched and still today continues to air in various countries all across the world.
The passion continued to grow, and after applying for broadcast licenses for a 24-hour television station, the ministry was approved to launch a station in the Vancouver market and, later, a station in southern Manitoba. In June 2005, these two NOWTV stations were purchased by Rogers Media.
It's a New Day continues to reach people with the gospel, every day all across Canada and within the United Kingdom. The passion remains strong. The vision continues: to connect people to the love of Jesus Christ.
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