Ian Worby – a name synonymous with Christian broadcasting – has concluded more than three decades with Vision Christian Media and its related entities. Ian’s most recent role has been as Chief Executive Officer of United Christian Broadcasters Asia Pacific (UCB Asia Pacific). On Thursday April 30, Vision staff and board members gathered to farewell and honour the man who was a major contributor into the establishing of the Vision Christian Radio network.

In late 2025, Vision’s board decided to integrate UCB Asia Pacific’s operations into Vision Christian Media as an internal department, streamlining the organisation’s approach to Asia Pacific affiliate support and outreach.

A result of that decision was that the UCB Asia Pacific CEO role became redundant.

Ian’s contribution to Christian media in Australia and beyond has been significant, including playing a foundational role in establishing and growing Vision Christian Radio into one of Australia’s largest radio networks and in building UCB Asia Pacific’s regional presence.

Ian’s connection to Christian broadcasting began at the grassroots level. He became involved with Mid North Coast Christian Broadcasters (99.9 Rhema FM) in March 1993.

He was elected President in 1994 and led the effort to secure a permanent radio licence, initially running temporary test broadcasts of 30 days per year that grew to 90 days. The team built and outfitted studios in borrowed offices and installed a transmission tower some 20 kilometres from the station. After what Ian has described as “a seven-year labour of love,” the group obtained a full-time licence for Rhema FM 99.9 Port Macquarie.

In 1995, Ian was appointed a Director of United Christian Broadcasters Australia (now Vision Christian Media).

In 1999 Ian was appointed Managing Director of UCB Australia, travelling between Port Macquarie and Brisbane, and then CEO of UCB Australia and Vision FM, relocating with his wife and three young boys to Brisbane.

Under Ian’s leadership, the media ministry grew rapidly. In 2002, operations relocated to an industrial warehouse, which they soon outgrew. When the neighbouring building came up for sale, UCB ran a four-day on-air appeal and raised the full purchase price.

In 2005, when the ministry was heavily in debt and facing possible closure, Ian dug in his heels, appealing to listeners for help.

The response was decisive: all debts were paid, and within a short time approximately 100 stations were added to the 250 already broadcasting.

Today, Vision Christian Radio broadcasts nationally across more than 700 stations via FM, AM, DAB+ digital and online. Vision Christian Media – originally known as UCB Australia before adopting its current name in 2015 – also publishes The Word for Today devotional, operates a prayer request service, and runs frequent tours to The Holy Land.

In 2013, Ian laid down his role as CEO of UCB/Vision to take up a new chapter, leading the development of affiliated Christian media across the Asia Pacific region as CEO of UCB Asia Pacific.

Under his stewardship, UCB Asia Pacific has partnered with and supported emerging Christian media ministries in countries including Papua New Guinea, Vanuatu, the Solomon Islands, East Timor, Indonesia, the Philippines, Thailand, Fiji and Nepal.

Although Ian’s fulltime involvement with UCB/Vision has now drawn to a close, his association with the ministry will continue in various forms.

Ian will continue to hold the role of Chairman of UCB International until later in 2026, and he and his wife Mandy will continue to host Vision’s tours to the Holy Land. Additionally, Mandy continues to work with Vision’s content team as a producer and presenter.