Gordon Perry Robertson (born June 4, 1958) is an American lawyer and broadcaster who is the president of the Christian Broadcasting Network, president of Operation Blessing International, and chancellor of Regent University. He is the main host of The 700 Club, the show founded by his father, Pat Robertson.[1]
Gordon Robertson | |
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| Born | Gordon Perry Robertson June 4, 1958 New York City, U.S. |
| Education | |
| Occupations |
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| Known for |
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| Spouse |
Katharyn Robertson (m. 1989) |
| Children | 3 |
| Parents |
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| Relatives | Absalom Willis Robertson (grandfather) |
Early life and education
editRobertson was born in New York City to Pat and Adelia (née Elmer) Robertson. His father had graduated from Yale Law School and would soon earn his Master of Divinity at The Biblical Seminary in New York. His mother, Dede, had a Master of Nursing degree from Yale School of Nursing.[2] When Robertson was two years old, his father and mother started Christian Broadcasting Network in Portsmouth, Virginia.
Raised in Virginia, Robertson attended The McCallie School, a college-preparatory school in Chattanooga, Tennessee, and graduated cum laude in 1976.[3] He then graduated from Yale University in 1980 with a bachelor's degree in history. After obtaining his B.A., Robertson enrolled in Washington and Lee University School of Law, became a Burks Scholar in his third year, and received his Juris Doctor, cum laude, in 1984.[citation needed]
Early career
editRobertson practiced law at Vandeventer, Black in Norfolk, Virginia, becoming a partner in 1989.[4] In 1994 on a short-term mission trip to India with Rev. John Giminez, Robertson had a profound religious experience that changed the course of his life.[1] He left the practice of law and moved his family to the Philippines to start the Asian Center for Missions.[1]
In Manila in 1994, Robertson partnered with Dr. Miguel Alvarez of Asian School of Christian Ministries to begin a school to train and send Filipino missionaries throughout the world. From an initial class of 12 missionaries in November 1994, ACM became the largest missionary organization in the Philippines.[5][better source needed]
Christian Broadcasting Network
editIn July 1994, Pat Robertson appointed him “Ambassador at Large” for CBN with the goal of reproducing CBN in Asia. On October 1, 1994, Gordon founded CBN Asia, Inc. in Manila, Philippines.[6] In 1996, CBN Asia started a television show, The 700 Club Asia, in the Tagalog language featuring testimonies from the Philippines and stories from around Asia. CBN Asia became the model for starting CBN Indonesia, CBN India, CBN Thailand, CBN Hong Kong and CBN China in Beijing.[7]
The 700 Club
editGordon returned to the United States in April 1999 to co-host the original 700 Club and, more recently, The 700 Club Interactive program which is seen on Freeform and online.[1] Robertson was made full-time host of The 700 Club on October 1, 2021, when Pat announced on the show that he was stepping down.[8][9][10] This was on the date of the 60th anniversary of CBN’s first broadcast (Oct 1, 1961).[11] During his time at The 700 Club, Robertson has interviewed a variety of cultural figures, including Benjamin Netanyahu, Jimmy Carter, Senator George J. Mitchell (D), Senator Chris Coons (D), Senator Sam Brownback (R), Israel’s UN Ambassador Danny Danon, and Ron DeSantis (R).
Superbook and CBN Films
editGordon is the Executive Producer for Superbook, a Bible-based animation series using CG technology which has the same name as the English dubbed version of a Japanese produced “anime” that CBN also helped to create. Both series follow the adventures of two children, Chris and Joy, and their robot friend Gizmo, as they journey back in time to experience the stories and characters in the bible.[1] The original series premiered in Japan in 1981.[12] The newer series was released in 2011.[13]
In 2014, the new Superbook series received two Daytime Emmy nominations, for Outstanding Achievement in Main Title and Graphic Design, and Outstanding Original Song – Main Title and Promo.[14][15]
Robertson is the Executive Producer of CBN Films. CBN films launched in 2014 and has produced twelve projects as of 2023. Made in Israel (2014), The Hope: The Rebirth of Israel (2015), and To Life: How Israeli Volunteers are Changing the World (2018) were all Emmy nominated films.[16][17][18][19] In Our Hands: The Battle for Jerusalem (2017) debuted in United States theaters as one of the highest-grossing documentaries of the year.[20]
Robertson was the executive producer of the 2016 docudrama Pocahontas: Dove of Peace.[21]
Operation Blessing
editRobertson began working with Operation Blessing International in 1995 as President and Founder of Operation Blessing Philippines.[22] He then founded Obor Berkat in Indonesia, Operation Blessing India, Operation Blessing Thailand, and Operation Blessing China. In 2018, he became the President of Operation Blessing International, assuming the position after Bill Horan.[23][24]
Chancellor of Regent University
editRobertson was named Chancellor of Regent University on 10 July 2023 after the passing of his father Pat, who held the role since the school's inception [25]
Personal life
editRobertson met Katharyn (née Banks) in 1988 and they married in 1989.[26] They live in Virginia and have three children and 1 grandchild.[1]
His grandfather, Absalom Willis Robertson, was a Democratic U.S. Senator from Virginia.[27]
References
edit- ^ a b c d e f "Gordon Robertson". Christian Broadcasting Network. Retrieved August 24, 2024.
- ^ "Dede Robertson, wife of televangelist Pat Robertson, dies at 94". Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved 2022-04-23.
- ^ Men of Distinction at The McCallie School; retrieved May 22, 2023
- ^ Pat Robertsonn Turns over CBN Operations to His Son at Lakeland Ledger; by Steve G. Vegh; published December 7, 2007; retrieved May 22, 2023
- ^ "About Us | Asian Center for Missions". Retrieved 2023-08-02.
- ^ "Pat Robertson Turns Over CBN Operations to His Son". The Ledger. Retrieved 2023-08-02.
- ^ "Gordon Robertson succeeds his father, Pat, as CBN's chief". The Virginian-Pilot. 2007-12-03. Retrieved 2023-08-02.
- ^ Pat Robertson Retires from The 700 Club at 91 at Christianity Today; by Kate Shellnutt; published October 1, 2021
- ^ "Pat Robertson Ends His Long Run as Host of 'The 700 Club' (Published 2021)". 2021-10-02. Retrieved 2023-08-02.
- ^ Andrew, Scottie (2021-10-01). "Pat Robertson steps down as regular host of 'The 700 Club'". CNN. Retrieved 2023-08-02.
- ^ Celebrate 60 Years of 700 Club Testimonials at CBN; by Marti Paradee; published January 15, 2023; retrieved May 19, 2023
- ^ New Superbook Series at Hope Animation; by David Hutter; published November 18, 2008; retrieved May 19, 2023
- ^ How a Christian Anime Became One of the Most Successful Collaborations With an American Company at CBR; by Paige Villacin; published July 5, 2022; retrieved May 20, 2023
- ^ Technicolor’s Animation and Games team receives Emmy® nomination at Technicolor; published June 12, 2014; retrieved May 20, 2023
- ^ Christian Broadcasting Network (CBN) Receives Five Daytime Emmy Award Nominations at CBN; published May 5, 2014; retrieved May 20, 2023
- ^ Televangelists defend Israel to the world through film series at Jerusalem Post; by Tamara Zieve; published October 18, 2017; retrieved May 20, 2023
- ^ THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF TELEVISION ARTS & SCIENCES ANNOUNCES The 43rd ANNUAL DAYTIME EMMY® AWARD NOMINATIONS at Deadline; published March 24, 2016; retrieved May 20, 2023
- ^ New Docu-Series Tells Story of Israel 'the Media Doesn't Want You to Know,' Says CBN CEO at Christian Post; by Jeannie Ortega Law; published May 8, 2018; retrieved May 20, 2023
- ^ Winners & Nominees at The Emmys; published 2019; retrieved May 20, 2023
- ^ In Our Hands: The Battle for Jerusalem (2017) at The Numbers; retrieved May 20, 2023
- ^ Kevin Porter (November 2016). "Thanksgiving Day Film: 'Pocahontas: Dove of Peace' Reveals Christian Life of 'Emissary Between 2 Nations'". The Christian Post.
- ^ Who We Are at OB.org; retrieved May 12, 2023
- ^ Bill Horan Retires, Gordon Robertson Voted President of OBI at Operation Blessing; published May 29, 2018; retrieved May 19, 2023
- ^ Response to Hurricane Maria Damage to Puerto Rico at U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation; by Cindy Howley; published September 20, 2018; retrieved May 19, 2023
- ^ Benn, Rakeisha (10 July 2023). "Gordon Robertson Appointed Chancellor of Regent University". Regent University. Retrieved 10 July 2023.
- ^ Gordon Robertson Elected CEO of the Christian Broadcasting Network, Inc. at Pat Robertson.com; published December 3, 2007; retrieved May 19, 2023
- ^ Ancestry of Pat Robertson
External links
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