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television, the busy 45-year-old pastor urged broadcasters, “Don’t sell radio short! By this medium, you can find people wherever they are. With tele vision, you will generally find them only in the living room. Actually, while I believe there is a wide open field in television, I would suggest the preacher, c o n t em p l a t i n g this medium, first become established in radio. It is much easier to work on television after a loyal following has been established. Also, the expense of TV is not to be forgotten. It costs as much as two thirds more than radio.” Dr. MacArthur was graduated from the Eastern Baptist Theological Semi nary and ordained in 1938 by the American Baptist Convention (al though he no longer belongs.) In 1941 Bob Jones University conferred upon him the degree of Doctor of Divinity and appointed him a member of the Board of Trustees. His son, John, is in his second year at Bob Jones. Be sides his daughter Jeanette, the Mac- Arthurs have two other daughters, Julie, 13, and Jane, 6. Concerning the future of broadcast ing, Dr. MacArthur stated: “ I am vio lently opposed to any sort of a com promise with the National Council of Churches. Today, there is an attempt by this group to control all of the re ligious radio and television programs. In many areas where they have been successful in so doing, the programs which exalt the traditional principles of our faith, are no longer heard. We need to stand firm in our position, for it can happen here!” While Dr. Jack MacArthur, radio and TV pastor, has enjoyed the oppor tunity of ministering to millions, yet his humble spirit indicates why God has so blessed him. “ I’ve never had an ambition to be something big,” he pointed out. “ I must do only that which God has called me to do. I’ve tried to live my whole life just that way.” The globe en-circling ministry of “The Voice of Calvary” indicates the extent of God’s reward for such dedicated faithfulness in His service.
the West. “We are praying,” Dr. MacArthur continued, “ that if it is the Lord’s will, we may be able to expand soon into the Midwest area.” “Since the church pays my salary,” Dr. MacArthur explained, “ I am able to give my time free to ‘The Voice of Calvary.’ The only reward that my staff and I seek is the spiritual fruit shown in lives which have been re deemed by the Lord Jesus Christ. The ether night I was preaching in Covina. A successful young businessman came up and told me that his wife had been trying for years to get him to go to church but he never would go. Then, one night, while trying to get some thing of interest on TV, he found our program. But more important he found the Lord as His Saviour.” While most telecasters would shy away from a Sunday evening time w7hen high-rated network programs are on, Dr. MacArthur and his staff have gained the number one televi sion rating of any religious program on the seven channels in the Los An geles area. His “flock” over TV is esti mated c o n s e r v a t i v e l y at 300,000 viewers. “The format of the ‘Voice of Cal vary’ is,” in the words of its founder- director, “ amazingly simple. We have some songs by our choir, conducted by Anthony Trotto, who also makes spe cial arrangements to feature our solo ist Vere Raley. My daughter Jeanette and Betty Lankford occasionally sing on the programs. Staff musicians in clude Margaret Summers, pianist, and Selby Debelius at the organ.” In addition to his television min istry, Dr. MacArthur directs “The Voice of Calvary” radio ministry, fore runner of the TV outlet. The program is now heard once a week on four key stations in metropolitan areas, includ ing Chicago. “ Last year,” Dr. Mac Arthur reported, “we gave 35,000 books to our listeners. We have al ways tried to make the offers for lis teners to have a spiritual ministry and appeal.” Despite his outstanding success on
Dr. MacArthur's daughter, Jeanette, is one of the featured soloists of the weekly series of television productions.
Anthony Trotto, choir director and musical arranger, stand out of camera range in the shadows, checking tonal quality and blend. Selby Debelius is featured organist.
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