2020
YEAR IN REVIEW
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WHAT I'M THINKING
MESSAGE FROM OUR EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
People get excited when I share about my work here at Square One. I feel that same excitement about all of our projects. You see, our media brings the hope and joy of Christ right into the homes and hearts of people all over the world!
With God’s help, hundreds of thousands of listeners and viewers of different ages, locations and languages heard the Gospel through our Ministry in 2020. We know that God is more than able to cause the seeds that were planted to flourish.
We’re so grateful for each one of our supporters who joins us in the work. As we continue producing our long-time programs, we’re also exploring potential new projects and partnerships. Stay tuned to see what God has planned for 2021.
Shoaib Ebadi
Executive Director
REFLECTIONS ON 2020
SOME THOUGHTS ON A UNIQUE YEAR
WHAT WE'VE DONE
A QUICK OVERVIEW OF 2020
4,000+
LISTENS
to A Skoop of Life podcast, Season 1.
100TH
EPISODE
of Encuentro Familiar produced by Marina.
UP TO 10,000
VIEWS ACHIEVED
on each episode of Ekj Ran.
30TH
EPISODE
of Micah's Super Vlog
since it launched in 2014.
20,000+
SUBSCRIBERS
reached on The Bible Today-Ukraine Instagram account.
800,000+
VIEWS
of Ella's Backyard in 2020 alone, doubling its viewership.
13
NEW EPISODES
of 180 Grados released - 8 early in the year, and 5 at the end of the year.
PROJECT HIGHLIGHT
ELLA'S BACKYARD HOSTS A VIRTUAL ONLINE CLELBRATION
The “Looking Back, Looking Ahead” Russian Media Celebration Banquet we planned for April was eventually held as an Online Celebration on October 22. Though it was quite different than we originally intended (and isn’t that true about most of 2020?), it was a wonderful evening of Looking Back over the years of growth, challenge and change; and of Looking Ahead to the next generation of Russian media under the leadership of producers Garri and Albina.
WHAT THEY'RE SAYING
I reconciled with God by saying the prayer that’s on your website. Thank you for giving me that word of hope. It was what I needed.
— Nancy, an Encuentro listener
PROJECT HIGHLIGHT
IRENE MARSCH WRITES LOW GERMAN BOOKS ON TIMELY TOPICS
Tronen Un Trua (Tears and Grief) launched in March, on time for Irene’s teaching tour in Mexico. The tour was cut short because of COVID-19, but that didn’t stop the books from being widely distributed. Irene writes from the heart about the hurts women share. Vebroaken un Vestoaken (Broken and Unnoticed) is her book-in-progress about domestic violence. The pandemic caused both grieving and domestic violence to rise during 2020. Irene comments on the timeliness of the topics. “God leads, and then it turns out that the timing is just right!”
A LOOK AT 2020
YEAR IN REVIEW TIMELINE
JAN
Natalia becomes the Director of The Bible Today-Ukraine after Alex retires.
Ministry partners David & Sieglinde of Exalta Jesús in Paraguay visit Square One.
A Skoop of Life Podcast launches.
Ernesto and Marina lead a Pastor Couples’ Retreat in Honduras. They come home to quarantine.
FEB
MAR
APR
MAY
JUN
In lockdown, Ernesto, Marina and David start a daily program live on Facebook.
Irene launches her book, Tears and Grief. Her books also release on WhatsApp.
JUL
Ella’s Backyard passes 2,300,000 views on YouTube.
Ella's Backyard Vlog releases it's 1st video made in Winnipeg with the studio's new green screen.
Irene begins writing about domestic violence, the first Low German book on this topic.
“The Sound of Hope: The Ernesto Pinto Story” by Paul Boge wins a “Word Award”.
MSV's Armor of God music video is released in Russian.
The Bible Today streams 30-minute videos on Instagram.
Eduard produces Ekj Ran from Brazil while stranded there due to Covid-19 restrictions.
Micah’s Super Vlog (MSV) releases the 1st of 6 new Mailbag Videos on YouTube.
1st episode of the new Low German program, Wajch Wiesa is released.
Sherryl and Grant begin recording Season 2 of A Skoop of Life.
AUG
SEP
OCT
New Board Members, Ruth Dahl and Orlando Braun are appointed at the AGM.
Rein (Communications Assistant) and Brenda (Accounting Clerk) join the staff.
Eli starts as a Production Intern.
NOV
DEC
Online art auction fundraiser for Ella’s Backyard Vlog.
5 new episodes of 180 Grados are released in November & December.
Natalia of The Bible Today launches the “Pro-Relationship blog” to complement her new podcast.
Marina and Heriberto speak live from Winnipeg on Christmas Eve on Radio La Mejor in Honduras, Argentina and Chili.
Micah’s Super Vlog releases a video about thankfulness, “Gabe’s Donut Dilemma”, for Thanksgiving.
Virtual Celebration of the Russian Media ministry.
Raze Zindagi (Secret of Life) produces its 400th episode in Dari / Persian.
Studio segments recorded for new episodes of 180 Grados.
PROJECT HIGHLIGHT
THE BIBLE TODAY LAUNCHES PODCAST AND BLOG
The Bible Today-Ukraine produced 30 short “Pro-Relationship Podcasts” about living in meaningful relationship with God and the people around you. To support the podcast, Natalia started a “Pro-Relationship Blog” on her Facebook page. In one day, she received 100 friend requests. The Pro-Relationship series is a spin-off of Natalia’s long-running radio program, For the Sake of Love.
It’s exciting to look back and see all that we accomplished in 2020. But we can’t stop now! Psalm 96:2 says, “Sing to the Lord, praise his name; proclaim his salvation day after day.” Join us as we continue sharing the Gospel, day after day, with people everywhere.