Comment Submitted By Jeffrey R. Apthorp, Bible Broadcasting Network

DHS Docket No. USCIS-2005-0030 Bible Broadcasting Network Bible Broadcasting Network is a 501c3 Christian radio ministry that provides free Bible education via online Bible Institutes in multiple languages. We broadcast via over 200 AM and FM radio stations in three languages and over the internet with 24/7 streams in five more languages. Our programming and ministry may be reviewed at www.bbnradio.org. We would respectfully request that the rule makers broaden the terminology regarding denominations to include highly public religious ministries that elect not to officially affiliate with a recognized denomination in order to refrain from being exclusionary. Many respected and effective ministries minister to people from multiple denominations. Religious broadcasters may carry out daily ministry to many more people than denominational churches. Many religious broadcasters teach doctrine, promote the activities of many recognized denominational local churches and provide spiritual guidance one-on-one via e-mail, phone and in-person visitation. One such example is Bible broadcasting Network of Charlotte, NC. Our organization is fully ministry focused with a heavy emphasis on providing that ministry in multiple languages. We depend on well-spoken individuals with speaking accents that sound local to their country of origin to carry on the daily ministry interaction with listeners. Other well known international non-denominational ministries would include The Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, Samaritan?s Purse and Word of Life Fellowship. These ministries minister to millions of people in numerous languages. We have also observed a trend of church?s shedding denominational affiliation in order to attract more parishioners. They do so with the best of intentions and without realizing how the change can hurt later efforts to launch supplemental ministries in non-English languages. We would ask the USCIS to add language to the R-1 application forms and instructions that would specifically include non-denominational religious broadcasters. Jeffrey R. Apthorp Bible Broadcasting Network