Educational Media Foundation has broken ground for the construction of its new global headquarters near Nashville.
EMF is the parent company of K-Love and Air1, the largest Christian music radio networks in the U.S. Heard in all 50 states on more than 1,000 signals, it is also among the country’s top 10 U.S. based audio streamers.
The organization employs nearly 500 people and is currently transitioning its headquarters from northern California to the south. It had announced that plan early last year, describing Nashville as the heart of the Christian media industry.
The nonprofit broadcaster already has some studios and offices in the Nashville area; however, its new office building and worship center will be built on its large property in the Berry Farms community of Franklin, Tenn.
At the Friday groundbreaking, CEO Bill Reeves said, “I really feel like we’re standing on sacred ground here. I feel like God brought us to these 11 acres.” He thanked his predecessors, former CEOs Bob Anthony, Dick Jenkins and Mike Novak. “I never want to forget the legacy of the folks who built this ministry,” he said.
Sam Wallington, EMF vice president of operations and engineering, was quoted in the event summary saying, “This land is not another office building project. … What will come out of this property has the power to change this planet. … We are not here to make a name for ourselves, we’re here to [help] make Jesus famous. This is a place where we each get to play a part in taking the hope of Jesus to the hurting nation that we live in, as well as the world, through books and film and video and podcast, events and streaming, and yes — radio.”
Wallington’s remarks included a prayer for the protection of contractors and subcontractors and all those involved in the construction.
Musician and author CeCe Winans led an a capella version of “Amazing Grace (Praise God).”