Ministry Timeline

Proclaiming the Word of God in villages was very important. Large crowds would gather at night to watch filmstrips. However, Ziden noticed that the message wasn’t effective because of all the cultural differences in the films, so he stopped showing them.

Michael Nyandoro was the first person baptized while the Nutts were in Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe). He began helping Ziden with all kinds of ministry outreach and remained a lifelong friend.

The Nutt family grew to five. Karolyn was born in 1959, Tom was born in 1962, and Lynda was born in 1966 with disabilities which led to several health challenges.

While working on the roof of a medical outreach hospital, Michael Nyandoro and Ziden talked about the power of filmstrips to draw large crowds and the cultural problems. Michael challenged, "Why don’t you make your own filmstrips?" Ziden chuckled. Yet, he felt burdened to share the gospel message in the African language and culture to make a greater impact.

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The early Good News Productions office produced media in Rhodesia. The center was an integration of productions, correspondence courses with follow-up materials, and a bookstore. It was a great resource for missionaries and local churches.

Michael Nyandoro later worked at Good News Productions. He clearly understood the power of visuals was an important factor in “redeeming the time” (Ephesians 5:16).

Missionaries in other cultures recognized the need for media and requested help to produce materials in their languages, but Ziden didn’t think it was possible without knowing their cultures.

Lynda’s medical needs prompted the Nutt family to return to the US. Church leaders gathered, formed a board, and suggested Good News Productions answer the continued requests of missionaries from other cultures.

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One hundred sixty-eight people from nine states gathered for a dedication service in the new building, and Christian workers expressed excitement about this unique strategy in cross-cultural missions.

Projects soon began in Mexico, India, and Africa. Over the next decade, GNPI could not keep up with the open doors of opportunity.

Supporters gathered to dedicate the expansion of the Joplin studios and research area for project workers.

Ziden and Christian leaders from India discussed plans to establish the first regional center. In what one donor called a “stroke of genius,” centers were built around the world for research and production. From one couple sharing the gospel in Africa to a growing network of teams creating Christ-centered media worldwide, Ziden said, “God took us beyond ourselves in accomplishing His will.”