andrewpitchford.com » UCB

Visionathon – Getting Better and Better

apitchford — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 01:04:13 +0000

Sunday night I dropped into bed at 1:15am after a roller-coaster ride through our Visionathon fundraiser ‘Operation Acceleration’. We had a goal to raise sufficient funds to ‘fast-track’ turning on 100 new communities with a Vision relay station. Tomorrow morning on the ‘The Journey’, our Breakfast Show, there will be another great announcement.

In the meantime, see how Sunday night ended.

Italian Opera over Pasta

apitchford — Wed, 18 Feb 2009 22:28:18 +0000

Last night we had a wonderful meal at La Bella Roma on Sixth Avenue, Maroochydore. The team from CVC and all our guests had a wonderful night of networking with pizza and pasta but the night took a turn when Shaun stepped up to the plate.

Greg Ambroisine had noticed the Karaoke machine in the restaurant and had casually mentioned he would pay $10 to the first person to sing for their supper. Unbeknown to Greg, Shaun had heard the conversation and decided to offer his services. Leaving the Karaoke machine to gather dust in the corner, Shaun launched into a stirring performance that captured the attention of the entire restaurant.

That boys got a nice vibrato.

Prayer Lantern Launch

apitchford — Sat, 31 Jan 2009 16:20:13 +0000

While in Chiang Rai, Thailand we have experienced many hospitable moments from the people of the area. Thailand truly is a land of smiles. One of the memorable moments happened on the 29th when we went for dinner at the River House and enjoyed great fellowship beside the pool. Afterwards we gathered on the lawn and took a traditional Thailand prayer lantern as an opportunity to launch into praise and worship before praying for Thailand and the work of the Quinley family. It was an awe inspiring sight to see the lantern fill with hot air before heading into the evening sky. We would have watched it for over five minutes as it travelled higher and higher over our heads.

New Zealand in my sights

apitchford — Sat, 18 Oct 2008 04:50:13 +0000

Just about to start packing for New Zealand. I’m up early and off to the airport for a morning flight that sees me in NZ by mid afternoon. Although a Pom from birth, growing up in New Zealand has a profound affect on a person and I always love coming home to NZ. Whether its the isolation from the rest of the world or the sense of comadarie that is birthed in a ‘can do’ country where everything can be fixed with a length of number eigth fencing wire the nation has a homing pigeon DNA that you get free on sign-up.

This trip is a very special one for me as discussions within UCB are about a subject very close to my heart. The direction of our discussions surround the internet and the subject of social networking. Can we see the idea developed for the cause of discipleship and the driver for online media as a congruent and encompassing pathway for Online Ministry. Right now I feel that some see a problem needing a solution instead of a goal needing a strategy. My prayer (and I’d appreciate yours) is for the problem to become a dream and for like minds to be attuned to it’s fulfillment.

The Tallest Wayne in the World

apitchford — Sat, 29 Sep 2007 06:21:15 +0000

Here is Wayne Burke in Canberra earlier this year. For the National Day of Prayer and Thanksgiving, Wayne, his wife Chris and I attended this moving time of reflection, repentance and redemption. It was a time to uphold our Government, prayer for repentance on behalf of the nation and ask for God’s provision of water to this dry land.

Vision Radio Network’s 300th Station

apitchford — Fri, 28 Sep 2007 06:47:01 +0000

Here is the good news of the Vision Radio Network’s 300th station. This was such an amazing time to see the ministry come to a new level as the community of Yarrawonga in Victoria came on-air. This was especially significant as the people of Yarrawonga had earlier blessed another community by donating the funds for our 200th station to begin broadcasting in Yulara in the heart of the outback of Australia.

Celebrate with us as UCB’s CEO, Ian Worby (the Steve Irwin of Christian Radio) introduces you to our latest member of the family.

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We all need a launching pad

apitchford — Mon, 06 Aug 2007 10:00:37 +0000

I was clearing some material from around my desk recently and I found a note from John Fabrin, friend and CEO for the Rhema Broadcasting Group in New Zealand. At a past conference John had grabbed a piece of paper and written the words "The Message – Ephesians 1:11 – It’s Cool!" And he’s right. This note from John has been stuck on my whiteboard for a long time, reminding me of its very special content. Let me show you what I mean.

It’s in Christ that we find out who we are and what we are living for. Long before we first heard of Christ and got our hopes up, he had his eye on us, had designs on us for glorious living, part of the overall purpose he is working out in everything and everyone. Ephesians 1:11 (The Message)

You can read the whole amazing chapter of Ephesians 1 at www.biblegateway.com

I love the background, present impact and future hope of this verse. Here we find that even before we contemplated our position in life. God had a plan for us. Bringing that to bear he desires that we be experiencing ‘glorious living’. I’m into that. But it doesn’t stop there. We find that by knowing why we were created, we can take the ‘for’ out of this verse and use it for giving life ‘hope’ and a reason to turn up tomorrow.

I lost my way – Naah!

apitchford — Sun, 17 Jun 2007 13:21:54 +0000

What a day. It started off with (of course) a great breakfast. I’m starting to love the way you can have these omelette’s made to measure. I have to say that jalapenos in an omelette of capsicum, onion, olives and ham is just gooooood! As I recovered from my omelette and coffee it was time to be saying good-bye to the UCB International directors and their wives as they were about to set off to Boracay Island for both a retreat and an International Board meeting. From here it was off to church. Firstly I asked the host of our conference Chuck Quinley for a recommendation. After having previously doing some research about Newsboys leader, Peter Furler I had found out information about both the ‘Every Nation’ movement he is involved with and their Philippine group ‘Victory’. Having heard good reports about the local ‘Victory’ church as well as from Chuck it was off in the taxi for the 10am service. They are in the Fort area across from Market Market . Uh Oh, on arrival I find the church services is for 11am so off for a coffee at the nearby Market Market before coming back for the 11am service. This was the local Victory Fort Bonifacio congregation just across the road from Market Market. It was a great experience. An usher called Joy made me feel at home and the Pastor, Joey Bonifacio gave a stirring message on Fatherhood as it was ‘Fathers Day’ in the Philippines (following the American celebration date). Every now and then Joey would launch into a little Taglish (local speak) but the lady next to me would ‘fill in the gaps’ on my understanding. I believe the message will soon be available for download on the local church website at http://fort.victory.org.ph Please get it! If I see the link appear I’ll post it here. (27/6/07 The team at Fort Victory just emailed me the link for you to download the MP3 or listen online to this great message. Click HERE

My only concern with heading for church was the continued presence of security guards. I asked one of the guards and found that there were 15 guards on duty at this church. To be fair the guys fulfill multiple roles. They are always friendly, direct traffic which is a major component of getting order out of chaos and they do patrol both the inside and outside parking areas to give comfort to those fellowshipping inside. You will see other photos of the Security team at my Picasa photo site with link on the right hand side menu. But here is a lovely photo I had before church with the security guards of the car park of ‘Market Market’. I had asked to take their photo which they obliged. Then they invited me to ‘jump-on’ and they would take a photo. Gotta love these spur of the moment time eh! After church I went back across the road to Market Market for a while and had a challenging time shopping for the family. Its always fun trying to find creative gifts and things that you wouldn’t necessarily find or buy back home. Now because of the top secret nature of my shopping expedition I can’t reveal what I bought but I can show you some of the sales team that helped me out during my travels today. Below is Ann and Jack and on the right is Jecel and Myna. Talking and working with both of these guys was a lot of fun. We got through a few difficulties with our accents and they were willing to have a laugh and were incredibly helpful. They have all been invited to contact us in Australia if they ever want to come over so I hope they call first otherwise we’re going to have to buy a hotel with the amount of invitations I gave out today. Today was finished off with a taxi ride back to the Glorietta mall which is a block from our Hotel. From here I was able to go and see the new Fantastic Four movie for only 130pesos (about AUD$4) and have a mango and caramel sundae for 28pesos. My upshot on the Fantastic Four and the Rise of the Silver Surfer,… GREAT but too short. What happens next??? Try and pick the voice of the Silver Surfer without looking it up. It ain’t James Earl Jones but ya coulda been forgiven for thinking Darth Vader had lost some weight

It was a Roaring Success

apitchford — Sun, 17 Jun 2007 12:37:16 +0000

Here’s a few thoughts on the celebratory close of the UCB regional conference held in Manila. The event was hosted by UCB-IFA (Initiative for Asia) and for a start we thank both Chuck and Sherry Quinley and Ron and Joyce Titular who made the event such a success through their incredible energy, ideas and a great support team. The event held in the Asian Institute of Management building in Makati City attracted around 200 delegates from July 14th to 16th. The vibe was probably the underlying element that contributed to this event being a great source of inspiration for many delegates. Whether members of UCB, our International media partners or the local people of the Philippines, everyone came away with a renewed sense of call. Here in this photo, Chuck Quinely who heads up UCB-IFA, celebrates with the graduates of this ‘Redeem the Airwaves 2′ conference. The opening night challenge from Pstr Jimmy Oentoro to ‘get out of the boat’ set the tone for many conference delegates who then used the following to days to seek and confirm God’s direction for their life. This challenge culminated in a graduation ceremony which emptied the conference room floor to fill a stage of passionate media movers. From the audience were those interested in radio both terrestrial FM and internet based, others wanting to turn the music world upside down as well as script writers, TV and Film prospects and a range of people who simply wanted to volunteer for the Gospel. A time of worship and prayer at the conference graduation allowed the UCB International guests to pray for many of the young delegates. There weeping heart for the gospel was a touching reminder of why we seek to make the name of Jesus known. For the UCB International speakers who attended, the event was not only challenging at a personal level but also rewarding as fellowship and encouragement from fellow broadcasters always helps iron sharpen iron and spur one another on. Additionally the heart of the people of the Philippines has been an inspiration. Many International delegates were touched by the servant heart of the people, the deep desire to please and the work ethic that has been shown in the conference preparation as well as the development of ‘The Edge’ radio stations. The conference team celebrated the event with a dinner at the Circle’s Event restaurant in the Shangri La Hotel in Makati City. The incredible international selection of fare was a fitting end to the event and enabled friends to catch up and swap conference stories from the previous two days. The restaurant has to be recommended as a ‘must stop’ for all visitors to Manila. The selection from the buffet is extensive reaching over eight kitchen and food display areas from seafood catches of the highest calibre to desserts of creative finesse. For groups the closed areas with sound proof glass doors allows for inclusion with the rest of the restaurant atmosphere while providing for privacy of conversation and celebration. I took the opportunity to take a video tour through the selection which is available on request. Sadly the smell and taste are not to be found on film (yet). Here I had my photo taken with two of the staff dressed in Turkish attire. You can see to the bottom left corner the real Turkish coffee that was being heated on an open flame and being made available to the restaurant patrons. The attention to detail, the pleasant; no cancel that, incredibly friendly staff the entire dining experience a pleasure. Thank you to all of the Shangri La’s "Circle Restaurant" staff. We were well looked after in every way!

Market Market

apitchford — Fri, 15 Jun 2007 14:55:33 +0000

‘Party all night long’ would have been the mandate for tonight’s escapade at the Market Market mall. Local artists and bands like ACEL, JERICHO ROSALES and the hit act of the KITCHE NADAL all played to a packed central stage are with the audience spread over five floors. The connection with the local people through this concert must be immense for the EDGE Radio team. Many of us were impacted by the fact that they had strong sponsorship from local commercial groups like McDonalds and the mall Management. You will see from the photos uploaded to Picasa that they have done a great job on the branding with the stage banner having been in place for some time promoting the free concert event. Kudos to the team for the organisation and flow. Hats off to ‘Air Jordan’ – Jordan is one of the Announcers on the EDGE and a seasoned mic man. I call him ‘Air Jordan’ for two reasons, he loves using his big American jock voice with a love for brands and basketball. Add to that this guy must have lungs of steel to hold the ‘air’ he uses to just keep talkin’ and talkin’ and talkin’. He held the show together tonight and handled every twist and turn with style. Go Jordan! Thanks to the ‘fabulous Quinley family’ for letting me stay out late past bedtime. Not only did I have a great time out listening to the final acts including Kitche Nadal but the family were an awesome inspiration. OK enough of the sucking up, this little paragraph should pay for the Krispy Kremes – oh they were soooo goooood! Oh and about that video – watch for another post up next.