A new year and a fresh name is how the world’s oldest missionary broadcasting ministry has kicked off 2007.

The ministry formerly known as HCJB World Radio has changed its name to HCJB Global, according to a report released Tuesday.

"We feel as we move into the future and expand the incredible dynamic between media and healthcare, the HCJB World Radio name did not accurately portray this vision," said HCJB Global president David Johnson in a statement.

What began as a small operation missionary radio broadcast from Quito, Ecuador in 1931 has expanded to include an international medical outreach arm and radio planting ministry. HCJB Global now has ministries in more than 100 countries airing in more than 120 languages and dialects.

The media ministries will now be known as HCJB Global Voice, while its healthcare ministries will be called HCJB Global Hands. Its technical division will change its name to HCJB Global Technology Center.

"This is a major change for our ministry, because it is far more than skin deep," said HCJB Global’s communications director, Jon Hirst. "Our new name reflects major changes in our vision and focus as we work to integrate media and healthcare ministry around the world."

Hirst said that the ministry’s friends and supporters wanted it to retain the call letters of its first radio station – HCJB – which it established 75 years ago in Quito, Ecuador.

"In maintaining the name, we are honoring our heritage and building upon it," explained Hirst.

The new names, along with new logos, were launched at the recent Urbana 06 in St. Louis, Mo. late December.

Since 1990, HCJB Global has helped local partners to plant more than 300 radio ministries in 100 countries throughout Euro-Asia, North Africa/Middle East, Sub-Saharan Africa, Asia Pacific and the Americas.