Press Room

The Inspiration Networks Breaks Ground on
New World Missions Ministry Outreach and
Partner's Center

Charlotte, NC, Nov. 5 – The Inspiration Networks today broke ground on the City of Light, the organization’s new 93-acre world missions ministry outreach and partner’s center in Lancaster County, South Carolina. The groundbreaking celebration was hosted by David Cerullo, Chairman and CEO. He announced that the first phase of the ten-year project is scheduled to be completed in late 2007 and the first two buildings encompassing approximately 160,000 square feet are scheduled to be occupied by January 2008.

Special guests included the Honorable Mark Sanford, Governor of the State of South Carolina, as well as many government officials from South Carolina and Lancaster County. “We were honored that these distinguished leaders took time to attend our groundbreaking,” Cerullo said. “We have been delighted by the support we have received from all of the government organizations in South Carolina. More than just jobs, this new facility will bring heightened visibility to the region. We will beam programs throughout the world from our new South Carolina home, and bring thousands of people every week to our headquarters.”

The groundbreaking also featured religious leaders Rex Humbard, Jerry Falwell, Rod Parsley, John Hagee, Benny Hinn, and Pat Robertson. “These men are Christian television pioneers, but they also are friends of our ministry. We wish we could have taken time to recognize by name all of the pastors and church leaders who attended, some coming from as far away as London, England,” said Cerullo. “Their presence symbolizes the fact that our ministry is a partnership. We work with many great ministries from throughout the United States and the world. We were honored by their presence with us.”

Music for the groundbreaking was provided by Keith Duncan, Alicia Williamson Garcia, John Starnes, the Christ Tabernacle Choir (from Brooklyn, New York), and Noel Robinson (from London, England).

The Inspiration Networks announced plans to build the City of Light in January of 2006. The new facility will enable the organization to more efficiently and economically meet the growing demands of its cable television, new media, and ministry outreach efforts. Operations for The Inspiration Networks now are located in nine buildings throughout the greater Charlotte region, with production taking place in two separate buildings.

Cerullo stated, “The City of Light is more than just about land and buildings. It is about ministry, outreach and mission. It is about being a part of causing the knowledge of the glory of God to cover the earth like the waters cover the sea on every continent, in every major language group and through every form of technology available.

The City of Light will consolidate broadcast and ministry activities at one location. The organization currently employs 350 people. The City of Light is designed to accommodate up to 1,500 employees. The project culminates more than five years of research and planning.

“Anytime a company headquarters chooses to locate in South Carolina it’s obviously a great win for our state,” said Governor Mark Sanford. “With 134,000 more people working in our state than there were four years ago, our administration remains committed to focusing on improving the soil conditions for businesses in order to keep creating jobs and raising income levels for our citizens.”

“Television and film projects have been a priority of Governor Sanford’s administration to build our state’s growing film and media infrastructure,” said South Carolina Secretary of Commerce Joe Taylor. “The new Inspiration Networks’ headquarters and facility will add to South Carolina’s diverse mix of industries in one of our state’s fastest-growing regions.”

When completed, the City of Light will include an International Prayer & Welcome Center, a WorldReach Headquarters, an International Ministry & Media Training Center, and an International Media & Production Center. Facilities also are planned to accommodate the organization’s other specialized ministry outreaches. These include a Tea House for its women’s ministry, a Youth Evangelism Center, a Children’s Evangelism Center, and a state-of-the-art entertainment pavilion for concerts and events.

The Inspiration Networks includes cable TV networks INSP-The Inspiration Network, La Familia Cosmovision (LFC), Inspirational Life Television (i-Lifetv), and INI—Inspiration Network International. INI is delivered direct to home (DTH) serving 50 million households in Europe, North Africa and the Middle East. 50% of INI’s schedule is original and exclusive programming with programs for children, teens and the international family. INI also features a blend of U.S. and European ministry programmers. INSP is carried on more than 2,500 U.S. cable systems serving 22 million households. i-Lifetv is a digital inspirational lifestyles network launched in June 1998 serving over 9 million subscribers. La Familia Cosmovision is a digital network that features family-friendly programming for Hispanic families.
 
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