The Christian Broadcasting Council has welcomed award-winning television executive, producer and media mentor Graeme Spencer to its board of trustees, bringing more than 35 years of media experience to CBC at an important time of renewed growth and vision.

Graeme has spent around 30 years working in Christian media, including almost 25 years with GOD TV. Joining the broadcaster shortly after its launch in the UK, he went on to work across production, content creation and directing before serving as Chief Operating Officer, overseeing areas including broadcast operations, production, distribution and copyright internationally.

His relationship with the Christian Broadcasting Council also stretches back many years. Graeme previously served on the CBC executive committee and contributed to many CBC conferences and events. Graeme’s work at GOD TV won several CBC Awards, celebrating his many achievements in Christian broadcasting. He also won multiple Angel Awards and the John Q Davis award for outstanding contribution to Christian Television through Cloak Productions.

Equipping a new generation of Christian communicators

Today, Graeme’s experience extends beyond traditional broadcasting. Through Media Mentoring, he works with people who have something to communicate but need help identifying their audience, sharpening their message and finding the right platforms through which to share it.

It is a passion that fits closely with CBC’s commitment to encourage and equip Christians working throughout media.

Speaking to fellow trustees about his journey back to CBC, Graeme reflected on how dramatically the media landscape has changed. Television and radio networks are no longer the sole gatekeepers to broadcasting. Churches, ministries and individuals can now potentially reach audiences around the world through social media, podcasts, YouTube and other digital platforms.

That opportunity also brings responsibility.

“Every person with a YouTube channel, every person with a podcast” can now become a broadcaster, Graeme observed, raising an important question for Christian media: how do we ensure people with a message are equipped to communicate it effectively?

For Graeme, that means helping people understand “who they are, what they have to say, and who they want to say it to”.

He summed up part of his vision in another question: “How are we equipping a Christian voice to be effective in this season?”

“Today, everyone can be a broadcaster. The challenge for Christian media is: how do we equip the Christian voice to be effective in this season?” — Graeme Spencer

Experience forged through challenge

Graeme’s decision to take on the trustee role also comes after a challenging period personally. A significant health challenge forced him to step back from much of his work for a season.

As he has returned to greater activity, that experience has helped sharpen his focus on passing on what he has learned.

While Graeme continues to love producing, directing and creating content, he increasingly sees mentoring and equipping others as an important part of the next stage of his work.

It is a calling that has been recognised by others within the international media industry. Producer and media consultant Phil Cooke describes Graeme as an “extremely experienced and knowledgeable producer and media consultant”, while Christian broadcaster Patricia King has highlighted both his media experience and ability as a mentor.

His current work through Media Mentoring reflects a conviction that decades of experience should not simply be accumulated but shared with those coming behind.

A familiar face returns to CBC

Graeme’s appointment therefore represents both a return and a new beginning.

He already knows CBC, its history and many of the people who have helped shape Christian broadcasting in the UK. At the same time, he brings experience of an industry that has changed beyond recognition since CBC was founded more than 40 years ago.

That combination will be particularly valuable as CBC continues to develop its work supporting Christian media, encouraging collaboration, mentoring emerging communicators and providing a collective voice for Christians working across broadcasting and digital media.

CBC’s trustees warmly welcomed Graeme at his first board meeting, praying for God’s blessing over him as he begins this new chapter of service.

For CBC, his appointment is an opportunity to draw on a remarkable depth of broadcasting experience while looking firmly towards the future.

For Graeme, it is also a return to an organisation he has known for many years, but with a renewed sense of purpose: helping ensure that the next generation of Christian communicators is equipped to use today’s extraordinary media opportunities well.

Find out more about Graeme Spencer and his work through Media Mentoring at mediamentoring.net.