 Many of our visitors may not be aware of the ministry of GCM Ministries (formerly IRR/TV). Below, Dr. Hannu Haukka's answers frequently asked questions:
For starters, Hannu, who are you, who are your references in North America?
Good question. We target Russia, Asia, Africa, the Middle East and are seen by hundreds of millons of people every week. Therefore our programs are not on television in North America. Here are some references:
1) Dr. Pat Robertson, the founder of CBN, Michael Little, the current president of CBN both are friends of GCM Ministries and know us well going all the way back to 1986.
2) Dr. Frank Wright, the president of NRB knows us as I have been a part of the NRB international committee in the USA.
3) Co-work with David Mainse, founder long time host of the popular TV program 100 Huntley Street produced by Crossroads in Canada goes back to 1982.
4) Dr. Marcus Lamb of Daystar Television in Texas has been a friend of the ministry over the years.
5) Dr. Marvin Kehler, long time president of Campus Crusade For Christ, Canada has partnered with us for 13 years and serves on the boards of GCM Ministries in the USA, Canada, and Finland.
On May 1, 2010, it was a great honor for myself, my family, the board of directors and staff of Great Commission Media Ministries to receive an honorary doctorate from Trinity Western University, one of the top universities in Canada.
What about the team at GCM Ministries?
In May we had 113 missionary staff in our various target areas. This includes 48 people employed short term from March to July to assist in conducting 14 historic, month-long, city saturation campaigns in Russia. We have 65 permanent staff. About 40 work at our headquarters in Finland. Another 35 work in 7 countries on three continents.
What about denominations?
GCM Ministries is a non denominational, charitable organization. On our staff we have Baptists, Pentecostals, Evangelical Christians, Lutherans, Nazarenes, Christian Missionary Alliance members. We serve to reach our generation with the Gospel in the most effective way possible.
Where are you geographically?
We are in Russia, Ukraine, Central Asia, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Middle East and Israel (in Hebrew, Russian, Arabic).
In Asia, we are in China, India, Laos and Nepal.
In the Islamic world we target Turkey, Iran, Egypt, Jordan, Syria, Lebanon, Morocco, Tunisia, Libya, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Oman and the United Arab Emirates, Somalia and Ethiopia.
Over 4 billion people live in these areas. To reach 4 billion people is a challenge way over the ability of the Church today. In fact, it can’t be done without God's supernatural direction. But, the Lord, the author of the Great Commission (Mark 16:15) knows exactly how it is to be done. Potentially GCM Ministries has the ability to reach up to 2.5 billion of these people.
The budget of GCM Ministries?
Last year we spent 6 million dollars to take the Gospel to the above listed nations. As a result, millions of people were exposed to the Gospel. Hundreds of thousands responded. We know of thousands that have already come to know the Lord.
Most of the funds came from private individuals in Europe and North America. We thank God for our partners, for their faithfulness, their commitment to this ministry.
What's on the horizon?
Evangelism. Mega city media saturation campaigns in Russia, Ukraine, India, Africa, and the Middle East.
What is the mission statement of GCM Ministries?
Win! Train! Send!
Our mandate is to invite people to follow Jesus, to find their place in God's plan, to be a blessing to others and to be part of the Great Commission.
Finally, what is your greatest joy?
To see people find a living faith in God! To see their lives restored and changed! These are challenging times. I would like to thank all our partners for their wonderful support and encouragement.
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Interview with Hannu
