The GOOD Story: A Journey of Faith

BY: Mike Jeffs, CEO and founder of GOOD.

A Vision Born in Faith

If there’s one thing I’ve learnt over the years, it’s that God often begins with what seems impossible.

Back in 1987, He placed a vision on my heart to see Australia reached for Christ through Christian television. At the time, there wasn’t a Christian television channel in Australia, so it seemed like an impossible dream. But I’ve learnt that God isn’t looking for what’s possible – He’s looking for people willing to trust Him in faith, believing for the impossible.

After years of prayer, perseverance and many steps of faith, that vision became a reality on Resurrection Sunday in 1999 when the Australian Christian Channel, ACCTV, went to air for the very first time. By God’s grace, it has continued broadcasting every day since. Looking back now, I’m reminded that what began as a simple act of obedience has become a powerful testimony to God’s faithfulness.

From ACCTV to GOOD

Over the years, ACCTV grew into something much bigger than I ever imagined. We became a trusted place where families could find wholesome entertainment, biblical teaching and stories that pointed people towards Jesus. Then, in 2022, we entered a new chapter.

ACCTV became GOOD.

The name changed, but the mission never did.

In fact, the rebrand helped us express our vision more clearly than ever before: to create a media platform that not only declares good but inspires people to Watch GOOD, Feel GOOD and Do GOOD. Almost immediately, our broadcast audience grew by 40 per cent, confirming to me that this was another God-directed step forward. Today, GOOD reaches more than one million viewers each month across Australia and Oceania through broadcast television, streaming and our digital apps.

Why Media Matters

People sometimes ask me why media matters so much.

I often say that, outside the power of God Himself, media is one of the most influential forces in the world today. It shapes culture, influences thinking and enters homes every single day. If media has that much influence, shouldn’t Christians be using it to bring hope, truth and the love of Jesus to people who may never walk through the doors of a church?

One story has always reminded me why this ministry exists.

In the early years of the channel, a pastor friend of mine was planting a church in Newcastle. One Sunday morning, two elderly sisters attended his service. After speaking with them, he discovered they had watched a program on our channel during the week. As the presenter prayed a prayer of salvation, both women prayed along from their lounge room and gave their lives to Jesus. That television program became the bridge that led them into church.

I’ve often reflected on that moment.

If those two ladies had been the only people ever reached through the channel, it still would have been worth it.

Because you can never put a value on a soul.

The Heart Behind GOOD

That remains the heartbeat of GOOD today.

I often think about the Clapham Sect, the remarkable group of Christians who, more than 200 years ago, helped make goodness fashionable again. They influenced culture, challenged injustice and transformed society because they were willing to use the opportunities God had placed before them. I believe media gives us a similar opportunity today.

Imagine a media platform dedicated to declaring good and doing good.

Imagine a trusted place where families know they’ll find hope instead of fear, truth instead of confusion, and stories that point people towards Jesus.

That’s what GOOD is striving to become.

A New Season of Faith

For the first 24 years, GOOD was fully funded through our family business. I genuinely believed that was what God had called us to do. Then, through circumstances completely beyond our control, that business closed and our primary source of funding disappeared.

It was one of the biggest faith steps we’ve ever faced.

Since then, we’ve invited our viewers to become partners in this ministry. Their generosity has been extraordinary, and today hundreds of supporters help sustain GOOD through regular giving. While there is still a significant funding gap, I remain convinced that God is writing a much bigger story than I can currently see.

Looking Ahead

In fact, I’ve often asked the Lord why He allowed that chapter to end.

The only conclusion I’ve come to is that perhaps He has something far greater in mind.

Perhaps GOOD was never meant to depend on one family alone.

Perhaps He is inviting His people to take ownership of this vision together.

As I look to the future, I don’t simply see a television channel. I see a trusted global media platform that reaches multiple generations with the hope of Jesus. I see a place where Christian filmmakers, storytellers and creatives can share their work with the world. I see GOOD helping bridge the gap between the Church and those who have never encountered Christ. I see a platform that embraces new technologies while remaining firmly centred on timeless truth. Most of all, I see a platform that points people to Jesus.

The GOOD Story is Still Being Written.

In many ways, I believe we’re only just beginning.

If the past has taught me anything, it’s that God delights in taking small beginnings and doing immeasurably more than we could ever ask or imagine.

And that’s why I continue to believe the best chapters of GOOD are still ahead.

Contact

If there is anything in this article that prompts your heart in any way, I would very much enjoy the opportunity to discuss any thoughts or ideas you may have with regard to GOOD and its future.
Mike Jeffs
Email: [email protected]