1-Cubed is a high energy, youth-oriented, weekly Christian music video program that embraces a global community of viewers. One world, one music, one hope. Millions are tuning in to CBN's special versions of 1-Cubed in the Philippines, Russia, Africa, Ukraine and the Middle East. Spanish, Thai, Danish and Indonesian 1-Cubed series are also in progress.

Why are Generation X and Y viewers from Calcutta to Cleveland tuning in to CBN's One Cubed? For music and encouragement at a time when music too often delivers the opposite message. "I've seen One Cubed and it's really cool," wrote Malou from the Philippines. "Music is so powerful. It can influence youth like me.

Christian youth are being bombarded by lusts, hatred, crimes and other boring earthly music. One Cubed can change that."

With both a TV program and an Internet site called One Cubed, WorldReach is bringing hope to a hope-hungry generation. One Cubed equals one: One world, One music, One hope. And the emphasis is on hope for those who produce this dynamic music video program.

Music, an easy 'in'

"One Cubed's strategy is to use its television and website presence to evangelize, educate and equip young people from around the world so that they may live dynamic lives for Christ," said producer Gregory Flick.

"Western music is highly embraced in other cultures. That's an easy 'in' for us. It gives us a chance to develop a relationship on the air and then take the viewers through the process of knowing Jesus."

There are 13 different versions of the program in nine languages targeting an audience from ages 13 to 25. Editions of the show are produced for: the United Kingdom, West Africa, the Ukraine, Russia, Denmark, Southern and East Africa, India, the Middle East, Hong Kong, Thailand, the Philippines, Latin America, and Indonesia.

The show also airs on the Fox Family Channel on Friday nights. And it is scheduled to begin airing in China in early 2002.

Potential viewership 1 billion

"We currently have a potential viewership of over 1 billion for our television programs," said Flick. "And our website has received hits from over 40 countries. Last month alone we received over 23,000 page views to our site." That was a 42 percent increase over March, 2001's page views.

Unlike other music video programs, One Cubed offers only positive and uplifting music, combining powerful music videos, flashy graphics, engaging video segments and insightful artist interviews to create a unique, intercultural format. "This can show young people that look, you can listen to any style of music that you prefer because there's such a wide variety out there, without having to compromise and settle for values that are ungodly," said Tanya, host of One Cubed Russia.

Lost children everywhere

There's no doubt that young people are searching for this kind of positive input. "There are lost children around the world," said Flick. "We want to use music to share the love of Christ with people who would not normally have the chance to hear that message." "(Young people) just want to live 'la vida loca'. The crazy life.

And so I think that we have to give them role models who will also have values and positive things and get hope to their lives," said Mariamalia, host of One Cubed Latin America. "They kind of don't have a direction in their life. They're just kind of looking for some sense of life and some hope, some future," said Diana, host of One Cubed in the Ukraine.

Overt message varies

How overt the Christian message can be depends on the country in which it is aired. But the lyrics never change and the songs aired are performed by Christian artists.

"When we first began producing One Cubed we had to be very subtle since the program airs in many restricted nations," said Rhonda Jewel, managing producer for One Cubed. "Now we're excited to enter a second phase in places like India and Nigeria where we can speak more openly about our faith."

Email from the website verifies that the program is having a profound impact. "It's a wonderful program, especially in this era when the people are going far away from Jesus," wrote Deepa from India. "It's a wonderful program that can arouse the Christian soul from the people."

Desperate for role models

"What a blessing One Cubed is!" wrote one young mother from Cleveland. "I had been searching for Christian music for my 6 and 7-year-olds. "It's war when it comes to Brittany Spears and finding good Christian music and role models for them to enjoy. Thanks to my heavenly father who made your show possible."

The website also receives accolades from seekers in closed countries. "Your site has been one of the most inspiring sites for my spiritual life," wrote Sebastian from the United Arab Emirates.

"It has helped me to learn a lot about the Christian way of life." "The website gives them the opportunity in the privacy of their room or their school to jump on the Internet and type in http://www.1cubed.com and search out answers to the questions that hopefully the program has sparked," said Flick.

Many seek prayer

Many of the emails from the site are from viewers seeking prayer. All of these are responded to and prayed over by staff. Now in its third year of production, One Cubed is at a crossroads. All 13 segments of the show are currently produced at the U.S. facility. Future segments will be produced on site in the country of origin. This will give each show a more authentic flavor integral to its host culture. And, producers are putting together a uniquely American pilot.

"TV ratings show that American kids are already watching One Cubed," said Jewel. "Just think how effective we could be if we had the resources to produce a program geared specifically for a U.S. audience!"

Out of the comfort zone

"We want young Americans to see the potential of moving out of their comfort zone," said Flick. "Kids are tired of fluff and emptiness. We want to give them vision and opportunities." One Cubed takes seriously the statistic that close to 95 percent of those that get saved do so before the age of 21.

As well as music videos and artist interviews, the One Cubed pilot will include a section called Extremists. These will be young people who are living the Christian life to its fullest. Like Jay Williams who skipped his sophomore orientation at Harvard. Instead he went to the Sudan to free 4,000 Sudanese Christians from slavery.

Another feature will focus on martyrs and another will highlight short-term mission trips. One Cubed would follow young people on missions and report on their experiences. The challenge for the One Cubed team now is to raise the funding to produce this American version of the show. But they are upbeat.

"CBN needs effective programming for youth," said Flick. "The rewards that could be reaped are tremendous. We want to connect young people with the vision Christ has for their lives."