In the year 1974, two foreign missionaries, Evangelist Bob Post and Wayne Norman from Tulsa Oklahoma in the USA, arrived on the island of Dominica on a two-pronged mission -

From the several sites visited, one captured their attention greatly; it was a part of Stowe Estate belonging to Mr. Stanley Fadelle – a beautiful place on a hill top overlooking the Atlantic Ocean with a horizontal view of the French Island of Martinique, and the village of Grand Bay to the south. Having received permission from the Government of that day and secured the sight for the Radio Station, the missionaries left Dominica with the intention of returning shortly to begin construction of the Radio Station.

A year later, in 1975, the missionaries, along with friends, returned to begin first with the road construction and soon after the sight was prepared for the construction of the Radio Station. Work progressed rapidly and in 1976 the Radio Station was ready and came on the airwaves on the Frequency of 1060. Its voice was heard throughout the Eastern Caribbean and parts of Guyana. Letters began flowing in from listeners all over the Caribbean, expressing their joy at receiving a radio station of this nature in their homes.

The Radio Station was first named “Voice of Hope” by the first owners who thought the name appropriate because through the Radio Station the hope of salvation would come to the people of the Caribbean.

During the early years of the Radio Station, it was staffed by Evangelist Jim Vanheck, a Director, the founder of the First Cornerstone Baptist Church in St Joseph; Cecil Shillingford, Local Manager; Franklyn Francis, Secretary and Announcer; Henry Pascal and Philip Prosper – Announcers; Rumould Gregoire and others – Groundsmen/Watchmen.

The Station began with limited resources which, like most start-up enterprises, created its own measure of setbacks; part of which was the inability to adequately compensate its Staff. The Announcers’ salary at the time was $150.00 per month! So what kept them at their jobs? - Their strong devotion to God’s ministry. The focus was the purpose of the mission – to bring the Word of Truth to the Caribbean people.

In 1978 fire broke out at the Radio Station. The fire started at the transmitter equipment and within a few minutes the wooden structure, other equipment, furniture, and other items were all destroyed, leaving only the concrete structure. This unfortunate situation did not however dampen the interest of the owners. They returned to the island with a team of helpers to rebuild what the fire had destroyed. Shortly afterward, in August 1979, Hurricane David struck the Island and left behind massive destruction. The Radio Station lost its 460-foot antenna.

In both instances, Station supporters responded with prayer, financial support, and voluntary help. Young people canvassed neighboring islands and raised money, while an architect donated plans for the buildings.  Individual churches sent teams of workers to help build the Station’s facilities and volunteers from Canada and the U.S. provided valuable engineering assistance as required.

However, in the wake of these mishaps and losses, and their inability to continue financing the Station, the owners of the Station took the decision to relinquish ownership to the Back to God Hour Ministries. The new owners moved the On-air section of the Station to rented space at the Sisserou Hotel. In the meantime, the current site in Madrelle, Loubiere, was negotiated for and acquired. It was felt then that a change of name would be appropriate, and the Radio Station became known as the “Voice of Life”, with a Frequency change from 1060 to 740.

The Voice Of Life – ZGBC Radio  became well known in the Eastern Caribbean as the Voice which brought peace and comfort to the hearts of its listeners. There was a constant flow of listener responses both locally and overseas.  Then came “911” which short-circuited the financial support from our North American partners, coupled with the assessment of the then owners who rationalized that VOL’s listenership did not justify the financial outlay in maintaining the Station on the Island. The decision was then taken to release three members of Staff in order to lighten the financial burden. Despite this action, the fiscal position of the Station did not improve, and in January 2004 the AM Frequency which was maintained at great expense was, of necessity, disabled. This action greatly affected the Station’s listeners, particularly in the Eastern Caribbean, who were then and are currently no longer able to receive us on the airwaves.

Once again, the Voice Of Life – ZGBC Radio was faced with a financial crisis, and closure became imminent. September 24, 2004 has become a significant date in the history of Voice Of Life – ZGBC Radio. The Board of Back to God Hour Ministries and RACOM had earmarked that day as the date of closure for the Station. News of this closure quickly spread throughout the Island of Dominica. What transpired on that day could only be attributed to the Mighty Hand of God intervening in the affairs of men! On that day, a local Christian family, Bro McKenzie Mitchell and family from Portsmouth, whom God has blessed financially, exchanged the required finances for the ownership of a virtually-dismantled Radio Station.

A four-day Share-a-thon was immediately set in motion, co-ordinated by Evangelist Peter R Augustine. The entire citizenry of Dominica - from the youngest (two-year olds) to the oldest, rallied with the Station through prayers and their finances to raise funds to continue the operation of the Station. We thank Almighty God for our supporters!

Voice Of Life – ZGBC Radio continues to be the Voice of Life to its many listeners, partners, supporters, friends. To God be the Glory!!

What Does the Future Hold?

The answer is in the hands of the Lord! He has come through on every occasion. In the meantime the Staff continues to work and pray to keep that Voice alive.

Situated on the island of Dominica in the West Indies - a tropical paradise where waterfalls cascade down steep forest glades, sparkling in the bright tropical sun, and orchids provide an explosion of color amid the lush green of the jungle - . ZGBC Radio has stood as a beacon of hope, broadcasting the Gospel to the people of the Southeast Caribbean since 1975.

Today, ZGBC Radio broadcasts the redemptive message of the Gospel utilizing in the main,  equipment that has stood the test of time and which now obtrusively makes an exit through the Engineer's doors. They evidently demand replacement. When and as finances allow we seek to replace non-functional and semi-functional units. Our appeal therefore goes out to our listeners, partners and well-wishers, with the cost of such replacements. We must record here our deep gratitude to three Sisters - Sister Samuel in Alaska, Sister Esther Little in Miami and Sister Esther Thomas in Dominica who readily responded to our urgent requests for purchase and replacement of our CD units. The Lord will remember it for good! .

As we week to keep our listeners up-to-date with current issues, new programming is periodically added to the broadcast schedule.  English language programs of Bible study, preaching, and devotions are aired. News and information are provided by the British Broadcasting Company, the Moody Network and local Caribbean sources.

The Station co-operates with the Government of the Commonwealth of Dominica during times of severe weather, serving as an important communication link for the Island’s citizens.

From a small island, named by Columbus as the Lord's Day, ZGBC is on the air 24 hours daily, broadcasting to a potential audience of over one million people providing spiritual nourishment.  Providing that food is ZGBC Radio’s sole reason for existence, as made clear in its Mission Statement:

“… to boldly and honestly propagate the unadulterated Word of God to a lost and dying world through word and song; and to equip believers for their responsibilities to be the transforming presence of Christ in the world.”