TBN's "Damascus Roads" Brings Life-Changing Stories to Life

Nov 2 (Los Angeles) —-TBN network planners are up-to-the-minute on viewer response to a variety of telecasting line-ups. The network stays current with what's in and what's out in the general landscape of secular and Christian programming.

By remaining at the forefront of meeting this contemporary challenge, TBN, for over 31 years, has stayed authentic to its spiritual purpose by crafting its high road prospectus to an audience geared toward experiencing television's best offerings.

"Damascus Roads" is one such program — airing nationally on TBN on Tuesdays at 9:30 PM, PST and Sundays at 12:00 am, PST.

Like the Apostle Paul's conversion on the Road to Damascus, there are still powerful testimonies of salvation today. Two thousand years ago, a man named Saul was walking a dusty road. In a moment, his life changed radically. In time, he became known as the Apostle Paul. TBN's "Damascus Roads" brings soul-changing stories like Paul's to life through contemporary first-hand accounts.

The TBN-produced weekly program, "Damascus Roads," whisks viewers behind the scenes and up close and personal with real people who have been dramatically changed. The program sets forth amazing testimonials that range from professional athletes who lived in the fast lane to mob bosses who spewed forth a life of crime.

"Damascus Roads" is about real people today — darting through the dark with destructive schemes, sometimes unreal exploits that appeared harmless but in the end spelled disaster. Others were merely on a course of empty pursuits, replete with selfish ambitions. Yet, in an instant, their lives changed forever.

"Damascus Roads" depicts in dramatic fashion how 2000 years after Paul's conversion experience the Lord God still scoops up the wayward for miracles' marvels.

Case in Point:

As a young man in his twenties, Jorge Valdes had an insatiable thirst for money and power. Jorge worked his way up inside Colombia's powerful Medellin drug cartel. His key position as head of U.S. operations brought him into direct contact with presidents, generals, Hollywood celebrities, hired killers, and kidnappers.

This Cuban immigrant, raised in poverty, was living the high life in more ways than one. His escapades took him from the lap of luxury to the depths of prison and back again. Then an incredible thing happened —Valdes encountered a person much more powerful than the strongest drug lord, someone who offered something more satisfying than women, drugs, prestige, or power. In 1989, after a karate teacher had witnessed to and prayed for Jorge for nearly three years, Jorge met Jesus Christ.

Jorge's life was immediately transformed from the inside out. He soon discovered that a new life with Christ did not immunize him from the consequences of his former sins. Jorge was arrested on September 8, 1990. Federal authorities seized tens of millions of dollars of his assets. He was indicted for crimes punishable by eight life sentences. Through a series of astounding judicial decisions and what had to be divine intervention, Jorge eventually received a sentence of ten years, of which he served five.

Earlier in his life, Jorge had studied transactional analysis, but now he was more interested in spiritual transactions. While in prison, Jorge earned a Bachelor's degree in Bible from Southwestern Bible College and began work on his Master's degree. Upon his release, he finished work on his Master's degree from Wheaton College where he now is an adjunct professor. In 1999, Jorge completed work on his Doctorate and earned his Ph.D. in New Testament Studies from Loyola University.

In September 1999, Dr. Jorge Valdes' incredible Saul-to-Paul transformation story of hope and redemption through the power of the gospel of Jesus Christ was chronicled in his first book, "Coming Clean," published and released worldwide by WaterBrook Press (a division of Random House/Doubleday).

Today, Dr. Valdes is an articulate and persuasive advocate of the power of the gospel of Jesus Christ to change lives. Dr. Valdes truly believes that if Jesus Christ can change his life, He can change anybody.

TBN offers 24 hours of commercial-free inspirational programming a day that appeals to people in a wide variety of denominations. Faith-based programs include gospel music concerts, informative talk shows, and contemporary music videos. There are also enriching programs for children, health and fitness shows, news and information programs, as well as theatrical released movies and uplifting worship services from America's premier churches.

TBN now reaches every major continent via 46 satellites and over 10,000 television and cable affiliates worldwide. In the United States, TBN is available to 92% of the total households. Its web site receives over 25 million visitors a month (www.tbn.org).

To learn more about "Damascus Roads," please visit:

http://www.tbn.org/index.php/2/4/p/19.html.