2022
YEAR IN REVIEW
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WHAT I'M THINKING
MESSAGE FROM OUR EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
The highlight of 2022 was celebrating 75 years of media ministry. It was a milestone for our supporters, and for the team at Square One.
Focusing on our history underscored the legacy of our founders. Faith in the Lord. Prayer in all circumstances. Creativity to reach many audiences, in many languages and formats. And the Transformation that God brings about when people hear the Gospel.
Looking forward, I believe the legacy of our past opens the door for us to start sharing the Gospel with Canada’s Indigenous people in the coming year. Let’s see what God will do as we step out in Faith, Pray to know God’s will, use Creativity to reach new audiences, and preach the Gospel so that hearts are Transformed.
Shoaib Ebadi
President and Executive Director
REFLECTIONS ON 2022
OUR 75TH ANNIVERSARY YEAR
WHAT WE'VE DONE
A QUICK OVERVIEW OF 2022
2.2 MILLION
VIEWS REACHED
on the Ekj Ran YouTube channel.
1,807
RADIO STATIONS
aired Encuentro and Encuentro Familiar.
90
COUNTRIES
countries where kids watched Ella’s Backyard Vlog.
18
EPISODES
of the Alpha Course produced with voice-overs in Dari.
402
PLAYS
of Tales from Cottonwood Trails since its launch in October.
13
EPISODES
of 180 Grados produced.
396
TOTAL EPISODES
produced by our Winnipeg studio and partner studios in Ukraine, Bolivia, and Paraguay.
GOING BACK TO
SQUARE ONE
WITH A DOCUMENTARY TO MARK 75 YEARS
22 interviews were filmed for Back to Square One, the documentary, to celebrate 75 years of media ministry. A treasure trove of additional interviews, images, soundtracks, video clips, reports, and publications from our archives completed the footage. The film premiered on October 19 at a theatre in Winnipeg. Four more screenings were held in churches in Winnipeg, Boissevain, Steinbach and Winkler, as well as two online events. Responses to the documentary were enthusiastically positive. Said one viewer, “My heart is being stretched. Back to Square One is a true work of art, a powerful testimony to God’s grace.”
WHAT THEY'RE SAYING
I really need peace in my heart. Your videos help me. Thank you.
— Yulya, commenting on Ella’s Backyard Vlog.
RESPONDING TO THE WAR IN UKRAINE
IN UKRAINE AND IN WINNIPEG
The Bible Today’s production schedule, carefully planned in advance, was abandoned when bombs began to fall on Ukraine in February. While they have been focusing on humanitarian aid in their country, Natalia Chernomor and her team still produce media as they are able: news reels, social media posts, and films about the church’s response during suffering. Says Natalia, “I have never seen people turn to God so strongly as they are doing now!” Meanwhile in Winnipeg, we are co-hosting a series of prayer vigils for peace in Ukraine.
A LOOK AT 2022
YEAR IN REVIEW TIMELINE
JAN
FEB
A Good Life (Low German) reaches 100,000 views.
Pastors from supporting churches begin sharing at staff devotional times.
First episode of Square One Talks is released. Topic: residential schools.
MAR
Square One celebrates 75 years of ministry on February 23.
$75 for 75 Years campaign is launched for studio upgrades.
The Bible Today-Ukraine moves into crisis mode as Russia invades Ukraine.
APR
MAY
Views of Ella’s Backyard Vlog (Russian) triple in Ukraine as parents look to reassure their children in a time of war.
Auditions for voice actors begin for Tales from Cottonwood Trails.
Ernesto, Marina, Grant and Eli record interviews for 180 Grados (Spanish) in Argentina and Paraguay.
Shoaib speaks about Violence, Hunger and Hope in Afghanistan at Missionfest Manitoba.
JUN
Shoaib and Grant meet Natalia and Yulia (Ukrainian) in the Netherlands for a Square One Talks interview about faith and war.
New high-resolution camera equipment installed in the film studio.
Terry Liske hired as Regional Liaison for Saskatchewan.
Women at a shelter in Mexico study Irene’s book about domestic violence (Low German).
Ella’s Backyard YouTube channel (Russian) surpasses 4 million views.
JUL
Eli begins recording Dari voice-overs for the “Alpha Film Series”.
Garri leaves; Ana joins the Ella’s Backyard production team (Russian).
First prayer vigil for peace in Ukraine.
The Bible Today produces first video in the series, "War: Truth Unsimplified" (Ukrainian).
Launch of a dedicated YouTube channel for vintage episodes of The Third Story.
AUG
SEP
Back to Square One, the 75th anniversary documentary, is complete.
OCT
NOV
DEC
The final episode of Ekj Ran (Low German) released after eight years of continuous production.
The full $100,000 is raised for the studio upgrades project.
Launch of children’s program, Tales from Cottonwood Trails.
School of Leadership (Arabic) episodes begin airing from Cairo on The Kingdom SAT.
Nicole retires; Heriberto and Viola take over her responsibilities (Spanish).
Back to Square One premieres in Winnipeg on October 19.
Ernesto and Marina speak at multiple events in Central America.
RightNow Media contracts to carry Micah’s Super Vlog videos until 2027.
Release of “Ukraine: Faith in a Time of War”, the Square One Talks episode with Natalia.
