FEBC Philippines began with a bold vision. In the 1940s, two friends who met at Southern California Bible College—Dr. Bob Bowman and Mr. John Broger—both passionate about bringing the Gospel to Asia, responded to God’s call to establish a radio ministry that would reach the “Far East,” especially China.
The Second World War had just ended, and people were searching for hope. For John, then a young warrant officer, radio became a lifeline—as he once saw how it guided pilots to safety in the middle of a crisis. That moment convinced him: radio can lead people not just to safety, but to salvation.
Together with Rev. William Roberts, who rallied his church to support the vision, the three incorporated the Far East Broadcasting Company (FEBC) in Los Angeles, California, on December 20, 1945. John Broger and his wife Dorothy set sail to the Far East with nothing but a shared burden and $1,000 in hand. They had no board, no denominational support—only faith in God’s promise:
“I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will guide you with My eye.” (Psalm 32:8)
Their original plan was to build a station in Shanghai. But when China closed its doors to foreign missionaries, God opened another—a better one. In September 1946, John Broger secured a radio franchise in the Philippines. Soon after, a site was found in Karuhatan, Valenzuela City, and FEBC was registered with the Philippine Securities and Exchange Commission. Meanwhile, Bob Bowman and his wife Eleanor built a strong community of partners in the U.S., leveraging Bob’s radio program, Call of the Orient.
God’s provision poured in—land, equipment, partners, and workers. And on June 4, 1948, after a nail-biting race against time, FEBC aired its very first broadcast. With only two hours before their final deadline, the team gathered, prayed, and went on air with the hymn All Hail the Power of Jesus’ Name. It wasn’t just a proof of performance—it was a proof of God’s power and provision.
FEBC leadership worked hand in hand with Filipino pioneers like Rev. Max Atienza, Bishop Fred Magbanua, and many others in building the foundations of the ministry. In 1958, DZAS began airing the morning devotional program Hardin ng Panalangin, hosted by the late Pastor Proceso Marcelo, lovingly known as “Ka Esong.” To this day, it continues as the longest-running program of FEBC and has touched millions of Filipino listeners across generations.
Over the years, with the goal of reaching every people group and language with the Gospel, the ministry expanded across the Philippines—from Manila to Koronadal, Zamboanga, Davao, Bacolod, Cebu, Legazpi (Albay), and Santiago (Isabela), and later in other areas through smaller FM stations in Cagayan de Oro, Tacloban, Cotabato, and Quezon (Palawan).
Today, FEBC Philippines operates 13 AM and FM stations, broadcasting in 29 local languages and dialects across 15 regions of the country. Each station’s story reflects God’s ongoing plan and divine orchestration. Here are the stations that make up the FEBC Philippines network to this day:
 | 702 DZAS (AM) “Agapay ng Sambayanan” – Mega Manila First broadcast: June 4, 1948 |
 | 98.7 DZFE (FM) “The Master’s Touch” – Metro Manila First broadcast: June 1, 1954 |
 | 1143 DZMR (AM) “Missions Radio” – Santiago City, Isabela First broadcast: April 24, 2011 |
 | 106.3 DZRK (FM) “Radyo Kapitbisig” – Quezon, Palawan First broadcast: February 1, 2014 |
 | CARE 104.3 DWAY (FM) – Legazpi, Albay First broadcast: December 6, 1973 |
 | 97.5 DYFE (FM) “Unang Tugon ng Pamayanan” – Tacloban First broadcast: May 23, 2018 |
 | UP987 DYFR (FM) “Life-Changing” – Cebu First broadcast: October 12, 1975 |
 | 1233 DYVS (AM) “The Sweet Voice of Salvation” – Bacolod First broadcast: September 28, 1974 |
 | 1116 DXAS (AM) “Your Community Radio” – Zamboanga First broadcast: October 28, 1968 |
 | 1197 DXFE (AM) “The Good News Radio” – Davao First broadcast: February 14, 1972 |
 | 106.9 DXGR (FM) “Radyo Gandingan” – Cotabato First broadcast: March 14, 2022 |
 | 103.3 The New ‘J’ DXJL (FM) “Your Positive Choice” – Cagayan de Oro First broadcast: August 16, 2006 |
 | 1062 DXKI (AM) “Your Friendly Voice” – Koronadal First broadcast: December 19, 1964 |
Beyond local radio, FEBC Philippines also became a key player in broadcasting the Gospel to China and Southeast Asia through shortwave. On July 29, 1949, a 10,000-watt transmitter—once called the “Voice of Freedom” during World War II—was installed in Karuhatan as FEBC’s first shortwave station. It was used to deliver Christ’s message deep into restricted and persecuted areas of Asia. Chinese, Russian, and many other Asian languages began broadcasting. Among FEBC’s first Chinese broadcasts were those done by William Schubert, a missionary from China who had fled the country because of the communist takeover.
In the 1950s, FEBC strengthened its international reach. The shortwave transmitters in Karuhatan were relocated to Bocaue, Bulacan in 1958, with a second site added later in Iba, Zambales. During this time, FEBC also built and distributed pre-tuned radio sets throughout the Philippines for the first time, called “Portable Missionaries” or PM Radios. Many were pre-tuned to DZAS, the local AM station; the rest to tropical band transmitters for the provinces. Eventually, about 3,000 units were given out in areas where radios were a novelty. Many Filipinos—including those in tribal communities and remote villages affected by conflict—would come to know Christ through this effort. To this day, FEBC Philippines continues to distribute PM Radios in hospitals, jails, urban poor communities, and coastal and mountain villages through Handog Radyo, mobilizing supporters to take part in putting radios in the hands of those who need to hear the Gospel.
In 1978, FEBC Philippines launched Papuri! Music, a groundbreaking ministry that gave birth to original Filipino Christian songs deeply rooted in Scripture. At a time when most Christian music was in English, Papuri! offered heartfelt praise in the heart language of Filipinos. Its songs became staples in churches and homes, touching generations and becoming part of the nation’s spiritual heritage. Today, Papuri! continues to inspire through digital platforms, concerts, and new music—faithfully lifting up the name of Jesus.
In the late 1980s, FEBC embarked on its largest infrastructure project—the Southeast Asia Voice of Evangelism (SAVE). This major upgrade of shortwave equipment culminated in 2005 and today supports broadcasts in over 40 Asian languages. FEBC also established ministries in Thailand, Vietnam, Japan, Singapore, South Korea, and more—keeping the Good News alive in regions facing hardship, war, and spiritual darkness.
Keeping pace with change, FEBC embraced the digital age. With the rise of the internet in the 2000s, the ministry began reaching Filipinos abroad through online streaming, social media, and podcasts. Today, through on-air, online, and on-the-ground efforts, it reaches people from all walks of life—urban professionals, students, rural communities, OFWs, the marginalized, and the unreached.
In 2012, the ministry’s headquarters—then called Christian Radio City Manila (CRCM)—moved to Ortigas, the heart of the business district. It is now known as Christian Media Center Manila, reflecting its multi-platform ministry, and occupies the 38th and 46th floors of One Corporate Center, home to the studios of 702 DZAS and 98.7 DZFE.
Partnerships with like-minded organizations have further expanded the scope of FEBC’s ministry beyond regular Gospel radio broadcasts. In 2013, FEBC Philippines deployed its First Response Radio (FRR) emergency broadcast service in Tacloban City—ground zero of Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan), the deadliest typhoon on record. Within 72 hours of the storm’s landfall, using a suitcase radio transmitter, FEBC was able to establish an emergency broadcast station on the top floor of the damaged Tacloban City Hall. This became a vital line of communication, providing life-saving information and hope to typhoon survivors. Since then, FRR has set the standard for FEBC’s disaster response operations, with stations switching to First Response mode as the need arises.
In 2022, FEBC partnered with DAVAR Audio Bibles, providing the equipment and production expertise, and helping in the distribution of the Ayangan, Hiligaynon, and Antipolo Ifugao audio bibles.
Today, FEBC Philippines is part of a global broadcast network proclaiming Christ in about 150 languages and broadcasting 5,000 hours a week. And while technologies evolve, the message remains the same:
We are all sinners, but Christ loved us and gave His life to redeem us. Life is found in Him alone.
At the heart of FEBC’s identity is its calling as a Gospel Media Ministry, committed to the Great Commission of Jesus Christ. Its vision remains unwavering: Until All Have Heard. Through the decades, FEBC has made a significant contribution to the body of Christ by providing access to the Good News through diverse platforms—radio broadcasts, digital media, and on-the-ground initiatives. Recognizing the diverse needs of its audience, FEBC ensures that those without internet access can still hear the Gospel through radio, while those whose demographics or lifestyles limit radio listening can connect via apps, social media, and other digital means.
Through the years, FEBC’s message has remained pure and unchanging—broadcasting ad-free on all platforms. And the Lord continues to provide and sustain the broadcast—through dedicated workers, faithful partners, and prayerful supporters like you.
This is God’s story. We are simply the messengers.
Communicating Christ in Our World. Until All Have Heard.