Reverend David Mainse, Founder of Crossroads/100 Huntley Street, dies at 81

BURLINGTON, ON, Sept. 25, 2017 /CNW/ - Crossroads Christian Communications Inc. (Crossroads) announces with sadness the death of its founder, the Reverend David Mainse.

Rev. Mainse passed away on September 25, 2017 at 81 years old after a five-year battle with MDS leukemia. Rev. Mainse lived the last years of his life (even while he fought the disease) as he'd lived his entire life: proclaiming the Good News ? to any and all who would listen ? that Jesus loved them.

"David stepped down as CEO of Crossroads and host of Canada's longest running daily television program 100 Huntley Street in the summer of 2003," says Chairman Gil Scott. "But he never really retired. He continued to visit with ministry supporters in person, his daily Bible reading blog and through occasional appearances on air. He will be dearly missed by the Crossroads family, and by the millions of Canadians whose lives have been touched by his public ministry."

Under Rev. Mainse's leadership and direction, what began in 1962 as a weekly black-and-white, 15-minute broadcast that aired after the nightly news on a small Pembroke, Ont., TV station grew to become an expansive family of not-for-profit ministries that included international multimedia programming, an international relief and development organization, a broadcast school (that trained communicators from more than 80 countries around the world) and a national prayer centre that staffs more than 100 volunteers to field 30,000 calls each month, providing 24/7 telephone prayer support to Canadians.

"He was passionate about people, about Canadian unity, and about ecumenical dialogue," says Lorna Dueck, Crossroads CEO. "That passion led to innovation. David used the platform of daily television to model open, respectful conversation on faith among citizens across denominations and faith groups from coast-to-coast. And his cross-Canada tours made broadcast history."

It was as a result of Rev. Mainse's vision (which was motivated by a desire to see Christian programming in primetime) and his team's arguments before Canada's broadcast regulator in the early 80's, that the CRTC determined there was merit to the idea of allowing religious groups to own and operate broadcast stations, an opportunity that had not existed in Canada for 50 years. The CRTC subsequently amended the Broadcasting Act and later called for applications for religious channels.

Rev. Mainse subsequently founded this country's most-watched religious broadcaster YES TV (formerly CTS) consisting of television stations in Burlington, Calgary and Edmonton. Numerous spin off ministries were also launched by Crossroads, including the Circle Square Ranch children's camps (which Crossroads gifted to Inter-Varsity Christian Fellowship in 2011).

Crossroads Emergency Response and Development Fund (formerly ERDF now "Crossroads Relief and Development") was established in 1982. Since then, it has disbursed more than $37 million to humanitarian projects worldwide.

"On behalf of the board of Crossroads, we mourn his passing, and extend our deepest sympathies to his family," says Chairman Gil Scott.

Crossroads will honour the life of Rev. David Mainse with special programming all week on 100 Huntley Street.  The website davidmainse.com has been created to honour Rev. Mainse.  It includes a guestbook to offer condolences to the family, as well as information regarding visitation and funeral arrangements. 

David was a beloved husband to Norma-Jean for 59 years (as of September 19th) and also leaves behind four children, daughter Elaine and her husband Bruce Stacey, daughter Ellen and her husband Nizar Shaheen, son Reynold and his wife Kathy, and son Ron and his wife Ann, as well as 16 grandchildren with many spouses, and 13 great-grandchildren.

For a complete biography and additional media assets, please visit website davidmainse.com

About Crossroads Christian Communications Inc.
For more than 55 years, Crossroads has been a leader in providing faith and values media content for people of all ages. 100 Huntley Street, the flagship television program of Crossroads, was founded by Rev. David Mainse and is the longest running daily television talk show in Canada. Crossroads provides relevant messages of faith and inspiration for millions of people in this country and, through the internet, around the world. Crossroads also interacts with viewers via 24/7 prayer lines, receiving over 1,200 phone calls daily. For more than 35 years, Crossroads is a highly respected and effective not-for-profit relief and development agency. Responding in times of natural disaster worldwide, Crossroads raises funds and partners with on-site, non-government organizations for emergency relief and long-term development strategies.

SOURCE Crossroads Christian Communications Inc.