10 Questions with the Bible Broadcasting Network

Turn on a BBN station, open the app, or listen online, and the goal is the same: provide programming centered on the Bible and make it available wherever listeners happen to be.

But behind that simple idea is a worldwide operation navigating many of the same challenges facing broadcasters everywhere — changing technology, shifting listening habits, and the challenge of reaching new generations.

In a media world that continues to evolve, what does Bible Broadcasting Network’s mission look like in practical, real-world terms today?

In this edition of Frequency Files: 10 Questions, Carl Redemann, Executive Director, and Jason Padgett, Business Manager, discuss the ministry’s purpose, the challenges of leading a worldwide radio network, how technology is changing the way people listen, and how BBN is preparing for the future while remaining committed to its original mission.

How would you describe Bible Broadcasting Network’s mission today in practical, real-world terms?

At its heart, BBN’s mission is about making the Bible accessible to people wherever they are. Redemann and Padgett say that means providing programming that points listeners to Christ, strengthens their faith, and delivers clear biblical teaching — whether someone is listening through a traditional radio signal, a mobile app, the BBN website, or online streaming.

“We are not simply trying to fill airtime,” Redemann and Padgett explain. “We are trying to serve people.”

That service reaches people in all walks of life — someone driving to work, a parent at home with children, a patient in a hospital room, a truck driver on the road overnight, or a listener thousands of miles away hearing BBN in their own language.

For Redemann and Padgett, the mission is personal. The goal is to make the message of the Bible available in a way that is dependable, understandable, and accessible wherever people are.

What does leadership at BBN look like on a day-to-day basis behind the scenes?

While listeners hear the finished product on the radio, much of what keeps BBN operating happens behind the scenes.

Redemann and Padgett describe leadership at BBN as a combination of stewardship, prayer, decision-making, and service. A typical day may involve conversations about engineering, technology, finances, staffing, programming, legal matters, facilities, and future planning.

Much of that work may not be visible to listeners, but every decision comes back to the same purpose: making sure BBN continues to faithfully serve its audience.

Redemann and Padgett say they view every decision through the lens of faithful stewardship, recognizing that the ministry’s resources have been entrusted to them by God’s people and should be managed wisely.

How has BBN evolved over the past decade while maintaining its core identity?

Like many broadcasters, BBN has experienced significant changes in how people access content.

Over the past decade, streaming, mobile apps, smart speakers, and online platforms have changed the way many listeners consume audio. Behind the scenes, BBN has also adapted its systems and operations to support those changes.

But Redemann and Padgett say the foundation of the ministry has remained unchanged.

BBN continues to focus on Christ-centered music, sound Bible teaching, and reaching people wherever they are. The network also remains listener-supported, operating without commercial advertising or underwriting.

“The methods have expanded, but the message has remained steady,” Redemann and Padgett say.

How is BBN thinking about reaching listeners as media habits continue to shift toward streaming, apps, and on-demand content?

Traditional radio remains an important part of BBN’s ministry, but the organization recognizes that people are finding content in more ways than ever before.

Today, listeners may connect through a radio receiver, smartphone, computer, connected vehicle, smart speaker, or streaming platform.

Redemann and Padgett say the goal is not to replace one method with another, but to make sure BBN remains available wherever people are already listening.

A radio signal can reach a specific region, but digital platforms allow BBN to reach people around the world. Those tools are viewed as extensions of the same mission that has guided the organization for decades.

How do you balance consistency of message with changes in how people consume audio content today?

For BBN, the message comes first.

Redemann and Padgett say technology should serve the mission, not drive it. The organization is not interested in chasing trends simply to appear current. Instead, new tools and platforms are evaluated by one question: Will they help BBN more effectively deliver biblical teaching, Christian music, children’s programming, and evangelistic content?

The balance, they say, is remaining steady in doctrine and purpose while being flexible in delivery.

What are the biggest operational challenges facing BBN right now?

Running a worldwide broadcast ministry requires constant attention to a wide range of areas, including transmitters, towers, studios, digital platforms, staffing, regulatory requirements, and financial stewardship.

But one of the biggest challenges is reaching new listeners.

While longtime listeners remain an important part of the BBN family, Redemann and Padgett say the ministry also wants new generations to discover BBN and connect with its programming.

That means thinking carefully about awareness, accessibility, and how people discover audio content in today’s media environment.

Growth is important, but for BBN, remaining faithful to its mission is the priority.

What do you think sets BBN apart from other radio networks in terms of audience connection and reach?

One of the things that stands out about BBN is the personal relationship many listeners have with the ministry.

Redemann and Padgett say listeners often describe BBN as more than just a radio station. For many, it becomes a companion, a source of encouragement, or even a lifeline during difficult moments.

The network also reaches a diverse audience through stations, digital platforms, and multiple languages around the world. Even with that broad reach, Redemann and Padgett say the connection with individual listeners remains deeply personal.

Another distinction is BBN’s ability to provide programming without commercial interruption, allowing the message to remain the focus.

How do you approach decisions around growth, facilities, and acquisitions such as 100.9 FM in Charlotte?

Redemann and Padgett say decisions about expansion begin with prayer, careful evaluation, and a focus on stewardship.

Growth by itself is not the goal. The question is whether a decision will help BBN better fulfill its mission.

When evaluating opportunities such as the acquisition of 100.9 FM in Charlotte, factors such as coverage area, population served, signal quality, cost, and long-term sustainability all play a role.

Facilities and broadcast signals are tools, Redemann and Padgett say. Their importance comes from how they help the ministry reach more people with the message BBN exists to share.

Where do you see opportunities for BBN to extend its mission and reach more listeners in the years ahead?

Redemann and Padgett see continued opportunities through digital platforms, including apps, streaming, smart speakers, and on-demand content.

The ministry also continues to focus on international outreach. BBN currently provides programming in eight languages, allowing the organization to serve listeners across different cultures and countries.

In a world filled with competing voices, Redemann and Padgett believe there remains a strong need for reliable, biblically consistent teaching.

How do you define success for BBN beyond audience size or signal reach?

For BBN, success is ultimately measured by faithfulness.

Redemann and Padgett say the important questions are not only about audience numbers, but about impact:

Are we clearly proclaiming the Word of God?

Are people being encouraged in their faith?

Are families being strengthened?

Are lives being changed?

Are we using the resources entrusted to us wisely?

While reach and audience size matter, Redemann and Padgett say some of the most meaningful moments come through individual stories — a listener who found encouragement during a difficult season or someone whose life was changed through the ministry.

For BBN, success is not simply measured by how many people are listening. It is measured by the difference that message makes.