Gospel Communications International (formerly Gospel Films) was a non-profit Christian organization and the founder and parent organization of several Christian websites based in Muskegon, Michigan.
Gospel Films, the original name of the company, was a nonprofit Christian film production and distribution organization founded in 1949 in Muskegon, Michigan. The organization produced and distributed religious films for churches, schools, and parachurch organizations in the United States and internationally. Over time, Gospel Films expanded into youth-oriented programming and documentary production and later transitioned into digital media under the name Gospel Communications International.
History
Founding and early years
Gospel Films was founded in 1949 by filmmaker Ken Anderson, following his overseas ministry work in China in the late 1940s. During this period, Anderson gained experience in scriptwriting and film production and produced the short documentary This Way to the Harvest. After returning to the United States, he relocated to the Youth Haven Boys’ Home in Muskegon, Michigan, where he wrote a book inspired by the lives of its residents. The book served as the basis for his first feature film, That Kid Buck (1949).
Following the film’s distribution, Anderson proposed the creation of a nonprofit organization dedicated to producing Christian films. Gospel Films was subsequently established in 1949 and opened its first studio in 1952. The organization was governed by a small board of evangelical leaders and businesspeople, many of whom had connections to Youth for Christ. In 1998, Gospel Films formally became Gospel Communications International, Inc. In the early 2000s, Doug DeVos took on more responsibilities with the company.
Gospel Communications International developed BibleGateway.com, an online Bible platform, and provided web services and training to numerous religious organizations during the early years of widespread internet adoption.
Decline and closure
By the mid-2000s, Zeoli had reduced his involvement in daily operations. The organization faced financial challenges in subsequent years, and the global financial crisis of 2008 contributed to its closure. Gospel Communications International ceased operations shortly thereafter.