From HCJB web site
In 1930, Clarence Jones met four Christian & Missionary Alliance missionary couples working in Ecuador, South America, who would help in the founding of Radio Station HCJB: Reuben & Grace Larson, Stuart (D.S) & Irma Clark, John (J.D.) & Ruth Clark and Paul & Bernice Young. Jones also recruited Eric & Anne Williams as the engineer and technical staff to build and operate the station’s first radio transmitter and studio.
The station’s call letters “HCJB” were chosen by the founders to reflect its ultimate purpose of “Heralding Christ Jesus’ Blessings.
HCJB “The Voice of the Andes” aired its first program from Quito, Ecuador on Dec 25th, 1931. Radio Station HCJB was the first missionary radio station in the world, as well as the first radio station in Ecuador with daily programs. The radio ministry had a rather humble beginning since there were perhaps as few as 13 radios capable of receiving its first broadcasts.
With the addition of a 10,000 watt transmitter in 1940, designed and built by Clarence Moore, HCJB’s transmitter power was able to send the station’s English and Spanish programs far beyond Latin America. Soon HCJB was receiving letters from listeners all around the world.
HCJB quickly began adding programs in other major international languages. The first to be added in 1941 was Swedish programs by Ellen de Campaña. Shortly after that, HCJB added Russian programs produced by Peter Deyneka Sr. and the Slavic Gospel Association. That same year, HCJB added programs in Quichua, a language spoken by indigenous groups living throughout the highlands of Ecuador and nearby countries.
HCJB quickly began adding programs in other major international languages. The first to be added in 1941 was Swedish programs by Ellen de Campaña. Shortly after that, HCJB added Russian programs produced by Peter Deyneka Sr. and the Slavic Gospel Association. That same year, HCJB added programs in Quichua, a language spoken by indigenous groups living throughout the highlands of Ecuador and nearby countries.
By 1944, Radio Station HCJB had added broadcasts in Arabic, Czech, Dutch, French, German and Yiddish. In later years, other major languages would be added such as Portuguese and Japanese. While a few language programs were recorded elsewhere, the vast majority of HCJB’s local and international programming was produced and aired live from the station’s studios in Quito.
