Reporting the News through the Lens of Faith

LUCILLE OCAMPO-TALUSAN

“You passed the audition!” a Christian Broadcasting Network (CBN) Asia staff member excitedly told me. Still, I remember not feeling as excited as she was because I suddenly realized it was a daunting task. From a freelancing job producing segments for ABS CBN and CBN Asia’s The 700 Club Asia, I was one of two chosen to pioneer a CBN News team in Southeast Asia.

CBN News is the news department of CBN, whose flagship program is The 700 Club, America’s longest-running Christian television show, with headquarters in Virginia Beach. In 2004, CBN News decided to organize a news team based in the Philippines for easy access and quick turnaround time to report news from the region that interests the American (mostly Christian) audience. Out of two hundred CBN branches worldwide at that time, the Philippines’ CBN Asia was chosen from this part of the world because English is a second language here. Also, Filipinos have physical features that enable us to blend with almost any nationality, a significant advantage, especially when doing assignments in restricted areas.

Is that You, Lord?

Before committing to an international news producer position, I prayed, “Lord, is this what You want me to do for You?” Am I equipped, Lord? At 44, I was not techy. I don’t know about you, who were born in the sixties, but my system seems to automatically eject anything to do with modern technology. I was reminded of Moses’ initial response when God called him to lead his people out of slavery, “Who am I ….” But God reassured him, “I will be with you…(Exodus 3:11-12)”

The Lord brought me back to the time in 1986 when a CBN International producer interviewed me on my deliverance from occultism. It was the year when I received Jesus as my personal Savior and Lord. While watching her instruct the cameraman, I uttered, “Lord, I want that.” Nineteen years later, God told me, “Child, isn’t this what you prayed for?” It was mere wishful thinking to me, but God took it seriously. He knows our innermost desires and grants them according to His good and perfect will. He can do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power at work in us (Ephesians 3:20 NIV), that same power that resurrected Christ!

God does not call the qualified; He qualifies the called.

Senior International News Correspondent Gary Lane flew to the Manila office from Virginia Beach to orient me in person. My primary task was to surf the internet for stories I would produce for CBN News, which would showcase God’s work in Southeast Asia and neighboring countries amid persecution against Christians, calamities, disasters, wars, etc.….

I said yes to all his instructions, but deep inside, I knew it would only be by God’s all-sufficient grace because, first of all, I did not know how to surf the internet! Second, it was the season in my life when I was at my lowest, having to deal with marital challenges. Nevertheless, I gave it a try.

When I got home from the interview, I asked my youngest son to teach me how to surf the internet. How much, Mom?” was his quick reply, and he settled for P200. Smart kid! But his mother is smarter because little did he know that it would be “unli” coaching! My fears and doubts were real, but I did not allow my limitations to stop me from heeding God’s call and stepping out as an international news producer. I also realized that the hardships I went through produced in me the resilience and perseverance needed for the job.

The Anointing and the Word

When the deadliest tsunami hit on December 26th, 2004, it was confirmed that God orchestrated everything. Our news team was already established. In just four days after the tsunami hit, we were on ground 0. Major news entities were also present, but what set us apart was that we did the news from God’s perspective. An example is reporting how CBN Asia’s humanitarian arm, Operation Blessing, brings material help to survivors of calamities and tragedies and, more importantly, the good news that Jesus is their Source of hope.

More challenging coverage followed, such as the tsunamis in Japan, earthquakes in Indonesia and Bohol, Mt. Merapi, Taal, Mayon volcanic eruptions, cyclones, etc., and man-made disasters like the wars in Mindanao, violent protests in Hong Kong, Thailand, and Myanmar; sent to dangerous places like Kabul in Afghanistan, Basilan, Poland near the war-torn Ukraine border, Myanmar and so forth. I reported from the lairs of the Taliban, Abu Sayyaf, Maute, Isis, and FPI Muslim extremists.

It was frightening, but I knew God chose me to do the task because He said so in His Word for me when I took the job, “you have come to your royal position at such a time as this (Esther 4:14)”. And “if I perish, I perish,” (Esther 4:16).

followed, such as the tsunamis in

And in 2005, the Lord used a South American prophet to confirm my calling. He said that I was like an arrow. I will not run but leap. And where the arrow lands, there the faith of the people will rise.

I can fulfill my purpose in life through my work. And it is to spread the gospel, salvation through Jesus Christ, and declare Kingdom principles through my reports. I remember giving a Bible to a Muslim leader who was responsible for the massacre of 5000 Christians in Maluku, Indonesia. I saw how the Holy Spirit directed my coverage and protected me from harm all the time.

In 2007, I was tasked to cover the aftermath of the Monks’ massacre in Yangon. Reporters were not allowed, especially after Myanmar soldiers shot dead a Japanese reporter. As always, I asked the Holy Spirit, and He led me to Isaiah 45:2- 3: “I will go before you and will level the mountains. I will break down the gates of bronze and cut through the bars of iron …so you may know that I am the Lord who summons you by name.” The phrase, “cut through the bars of iron,” jumped out of the page. I knew it was God’s Word for me because at that time, CNN referred to Myanmar as the “iron gate”.

The Lord also spared me from being deported. At the last minute, I changed hotels because I found one that was $5 cheaper. Later, I learned that all the reporters staying in the original hotel were deported. I successfully produced the report. But I believe my purpose was more than the report: I brought my Buddhist driver to a Christian church, where he heard the gospel.

There are a lot more stories of God’s Adventures to share. I am so grateful and in awe of how He has given me this unique ministry of proclaiming God’s truth to pierce through the darkness of this world and for bringing his light into our home as he transformed my husband and restored us as a family.

I’m on my 21st year as the Asia Correspondent for CBN News, and it’s amazing how the Lord has been accomplishing His work through me, faithfully guiding me, and watching over my coming and going now and forevermore (Psalm 121:8).