WCFC TV38/TLN's 40th Anniversary Banquet took place in Lombard
WCFC TV38/TLN's 40th Anniversary Banquet took place in Lombard - by Natalia Dagenhart
Every city has a heart. What do you think it means? Is it some special location, or a building, or maybe a statue? No. It's a concentration of positive energy, spirituality, and a constant beat of wisdom, kindness and love that spreads around the city. It keeps the soul of that huge megapolis alive, and Chicago has one too. It is called Total Living Network (TLN), Chicago's own Christian television station that keeps the city's moral and spiritual standards high.
TLN's fortieth Anniversary Banquet called "Shining His Light - Sharing His Love" took place on March 10, 2017 on the grounds of contemporary Lindner Conference Center at the Northern Seminary campus in Lombard. It was a slightly cold, but beautiful Friday night, a perfect night for such an important event. Lindner Conference Center greeted the guests and the hosts of this gorgeous banquet with perfectly decorated tables and a friendly atmosphere.
It all started at 5:30 p.m. with a VIP Reception with Kay Arthur, an international Bible teacher, four-time ECPA Christian Book Award winning author, and co-CEO of Precept Ministries International. The attendees received an autographed book called "Being a Disciple: Counting the Real Cost" and had a chance to get photographed with Kay Arthur, who is not just a great author, public speaker and an international Bible teacher, but also a beautiful woman with strong spirit and warm eyes.
The banquet brought together a great number of people connected to each other by their strong and immutable belief and support of this great television station that directs people to Christ, addresses their life concerns through media, gives them hope, and helps them to overcome their inner battle and to survive in this fast changing world.
TLN's programming impacts those who seek hope and a new way of life. It gives them the support that they are looking for by spreading God's word and renewing their body, mind and spirit. There were a lot of people present at the banquet that are the viewers of this great television station who appreciate its impact on their lives. Everyone equally deserves God's love and salvation, and TLN proves it every day through its programming.
The banquet was hosted by Jim Gibson, The Master of Ceremonies and President of The Gibson Organization LLC. Being an Emmy Award winning TV host, professional entertainer, recording artist and 2014 inductee into the Fox Valley Arts Hall of Fame, Mr. Gibson did a wonderful job and kept the event flowing in a relaxed, yet very well organized manner.
It all started with a video reflecting TLN's history that brought a lot of sweet memories to the attendees of the event. Reverend Owen Carr, who is honorary founder of Channel 38 in downtown Chicago, said a prayer that set up the right mood for the night and was greatly appreciated by the attendees of the banquet. Chief Operating Officer of TLN Greg Bogdan gave an introductory speech, and later Jim Gibson gave recognition to all of the elected officials, table hosts, sponsors, banquet committee members and many others. Without all these people this event would not have been possible. It took a lot of strong and devoted people and their time, energy and input for the WCFC TV38/TLN's 40th Anniversary Banquet to take place.
Highly professional and inspiring music by pianist Huntley Brown accompanied the night. Mr. Brown is an internationally recognized Christian pianist and ordained minister. He is famous around the world because of his television, radio and concert appearances in over thirty-five nations, including England, Palestine, Japan, South Korea, Wales, South Africa, China and Russia. Mr. Brown was the artist in residence for the Total Living Network in Chicago for many years. Many of the attendees of the banquet recognized his energetic, yet highly touching, sincere and inspiring style of playing piano that touched everyone's heart and brought a strong and concrete message about love to God.
Testimony from Mary Stutts became another important part of the evening. Being a well-known speaker, prayer pastor, author, regional VP of external affairs for Comcast/NBC Universal and former public affairs manager for WCFC-TV38, Ms. Stutts calls herself a "prayer warrior" and is a frequent speaker on subjects related to women in leadership, mentoring, and facilitating diversity. Her appearance at the banquet was highly appreciated and valuable.
The keynote speech by Kay Arthur became the centerpiece of the night. The touching, sincere manner with which she delivered her message approached every heart of every member of the audience. "We got to know God's word," she said in her message. It wasn't an accident that the banquet was called "Shining His Light - Sharing His Love". As Kay Arthur noticed, "this station wants to bring light into the darkness; we got to do it, and we got to do it now. And if we don't do it, I believe we are going to suffer great repercussions as a nation."
She also referred to Scripture and described current problems of our society and their possible consequences in the light of religion. There is always a way to salvation, but it has to be built on the basis of a strong belief in Jesus Christ. As Hosea 4:6 says, "My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge." Kay Arthur helps her listeners avoid that and brings them knowledge about our savior that helps to save lost souls. That night, her powerful message echoed in every heart. Her voice wasn't very loud, but it was heard even at the farthest parts of the conference hall as it was full of energy, sincere emotion, and strong belief in Jesus Christ.
Jerry Rose, Chairman of the Board of Total Living International (TLI), a writer, a veteran broadcaster and television host at Total Living Network, held an interview with Kay Arthur after her speech and then presented a powerful personal appeal. Debra Fraser, TLI President, Chief Executive Officer and a highly skilled professional with thirty years of television experience, was happy to thank everyone who chose to spend that night with TLN and to demonstrate their support to Chicago's own Christian television station. She addressed to the audience her warm and sincere appeal and encouraged everyone to financially support TLN.
The evening ended with the benediction given by Vance Henry, Deputy Chief of Staff, Community and Faith-based Partnerships, Office of the Mayor of Chicago. The appearance of the city official at the TLN's banquet was a very significant and important part of the event that demonstrated the city's support of this Christian broadcaster that is focused on spreading the Gospel message through media. It was highly appreciated by the organizers of the event and by the banquet attendees and guests.
I was extremely happy to attend this event. Being given an opportunity to serve as one of TLN's banquet committee members, I greatly appreciate TLN's purpose and mission and will always support it.
Everyone worries about food for their body, but not all of us worry about food for our soul. Total Living Network helps people not only in the Chicago area, but also nationally and internationally to find their way to God, salvation and inner peace. Through high moral standards, spiritual values and open heart, TLN proves every day that it serves a very valuable role in our city - being the soul and the heart of Chicago.
Natalia Dagenhart