CBN (Christian Broadcasting Network) was the first Christian television station in the United States. It began broadcasting on October 1, 1961. Now, more than fifty years later, it is the largest television ministry in the world. It was founded by televangelist Dr. M.G. (Pat) Robertson, and its headquarters and main studio are in Virginia Beach, Virginia.
CBN utilizes a religious variety program format that has been successfully used in religious broadcasting ever since. Using television and the internet, CBN is proclaiming the Good News in 147 countries and territories, with programs and content heard in 62 different languages.
One of the mainstays of the network is The 700 Club. The show refused commercial advertisements and was funded by 700 contributors donating ten dollars per month, hence its name. At that time, $7,000 was enough to allow CBN to meet its monthly expenses. Today support is provided through monthly pledging by CBN Partners.
The network's journalistic branch, CBN News, provides news updates for The 700 Club and produces religious news programs such as CBN News Watch and Christian World News. The hour long talk-show, The 700 Club, is one of the longest-running programs in broadcast history. It is seen in 97% of the television markets across the United States. CBN is also the first Christian ministry to build and operate its own satellite.
Here is information on some of the other ministries operated by CBN:
The CBN Prayer Center provides prayer as well as biblical guidance and resources to callers 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Orphan's Promise ministers to orphaned and vulnerable children by providing training and help for their physical, spiritual and educational needs, and teaches them the hope of the Gospel.
Operation Blessing International is a nonprofit, humanitarian affiliate organization that Pat Robertson founded in 1978. It provides programs of disaster relief, medical aid, hunger relief, orphan care, water wells, and community development. God's love is demonstrated by alleviating human need and suffering in the United States and around the world.
Superbook is bringing the Bible to the next generation. Through this computer generated and animated version of stories from the Bible, moral truths and life lessons are taught through the experiences of two time-traveling children and their robot friend. The goal is to bring the Bible back into the lives and hearts of children here in America and around the world. The stories are available through the Superbook DVD Club, as well as on a Superbook Kids Bible App.
Pat Robertson founded Regent University, located in Virginia Beach, VA, in 1977, serving as its president and chancellor. The university is considered one of the nation’s leading academic centers for Christian thought and action. Regent is a fully accredited graduate university that offers degrees in business, communication & the arts, divinity, education, government, law, organizational leadership and psychology & counseling. In addition, Regent offers a bachelor's degree completion program. Regent University is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools to award the bachelor’s, master’s and doctor’s degrees, The university has an enrollment of over four thousand students. In addition to the main campus in Virginia Beach, Regent offers programs online via their Worldwide Campus.
CBN’s mission statement includes the following declarations:
“The mission of CBN and its affiliated organizations is to prepare the United States of America and the nations of the world for the coming of Jesus Christ and the establishment of the Kingdom of God on earth. Our ultimate goal is to achieve a time in history when ‘the knowledge of the Lord will cover the earth as the waters cover the sea’. In achieving our mission nothing should be done that does not glorify God and His Son, Jesus Christ.”