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Wordnet Productions, a television evangelization ministry
founded by Divine Word Father Michael Manning, recently embarked
on a $1 million capital campaign for its new Media Bridge
Center in San Bernardino.
Embodying a decade-long "vision" held by Father Manning
to facilitate the building of interdenominational bridges
of dialog, understanding and hope through media, the MBC will
feature a television production facility of almost 5,000 square
feet, quadrupling the space presently available in Wordnet's
Riverside studio. Donations raised in the capital campaign
will be used to purchase and renovate a former car dealership
into a state-of-the-art production facility situated on a
1.07-acre mid-city site.
According to Father Manning, the MBC will forge a new framework
for thinking about and addressing religious and world issues
in which the Catholic Church is not only an observer and critic
but also an invested participant. The larger studio space
will accommodate a live studio audience during tapings of
Wordnet's popular show, "The Word in the World," which airs
weekly on the world's largest religious broadcast network,
Trinity Broadcasting Network.
Currently airing on TBN, which reaches 200 million homes
worldwide, is Wordnet's "Tough Issues" series created to educate
viewers about the church's teaching on such "hot button" topics
as the clergy sex abuse scandal and the death penalty. Future
Wordnet productions include a children's parable series and
interactive question-and-answer shows with in-studio audiences.
The MBC will also serve as a resource multimedia center
for San Bernardino Diocesan churches and interfaith groups.
In addition to producing quality television, video, film,
radio and Internet media, the facility director anticipates
holding communications seminars for community organizations.
Father Manning founded Wordnet Productions in 1972 to communicate
the Word of God to all people through the media in the spirit
of the Society of the Divine Word. He is pastor of St. Anthony
Catholic Community in San Bernardino, California, a published
author and a popular international speaker. He has appeared
on numerous TV shows, including Larry King Live, The Leeza
Show, The Montel Williams Show, The Phil Donahue Show, Hard
Copy, Real People, The 700 Club and Today's Religion.
 Besides
TBN, Father Manning's Wordnet programs are currently airing
on the Armed Services Network and The Church Channel. He hopes
future programming will expand to include partnerships with
international audiences.
For further information about Wordnet's capital campaign
for the purchase and renovation of the MBC, contact Daniel
Arvizu or Vanessa Browne at (909) 689-4885 or e-mail to artegeo@aol.com
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