Positive, Encouraging K-LOVE
making an outreach difference
by Randy Cantrell
A seeker sensitive radio network that gives away its airtime to churches for free? Something amazing is in the air.
I wanted to write and say thanks for your prayers, music and being willing to listen; and that I don’t need this now. Thank you God! And thank you K-LOVE!”
The note was wrapped around a live 12-gauge-shotgun shell, delivered in a small box wrapped in duct tape. When this unusual package crossed the desk of Dick Jenkins, president of EMF Broadcasting, he had an uncanny sense that there was a story behind this out-of-the-ordinary delivery, and he was right.
The note was signed by Travis, a retired Marine colonel, who was at the end of his rope. Colonel Travis had intended to use the 12-gauge-shotgun shell to blow his brains out. Feeling helpless and in the very depths of despair, his plan was to drive to the country, load his shotgun and end his life through a “hunting accident.” But time after time, as he drove on that country road to carry out his plan, his radio was tuned to K-LOVE. And every single time he heard on the radio a beautiful song — “Dancing with Angels.” This one song caused him to gather the strength to go on living for just one more day.
Finally, after hearing an on-air announcement about K-LOVE’s Prayer Line, Travis called and was connected with one of their staff pastors. They talked, prayed and wept together. Ultimately, Travis experienced the kind of healing that only comes from receiving the power of God’s love.
But this is just one of thousands of letters that EMF Broadcasting (a.k.a. the K-LOVE and Air 1 radio networks) receive each year, from the more than three million listeners who tune in each week.
Beginnings
It began almost 25 years ago with a single radio station just north of San Francisco in Santa Rosa, California. From one contemporary Christian music station, the networks have now grown to 200 full-power stations and 175 FM repeater stations in 44 states. In addition to the more than three million people who listen each week to the radio stations, another million listeners tune in over the Internet. These two networks have been growing at a rate of 18 to 20 percent a year — a growth rate that has occurred primarily over the past six years.
As impressive as all of this may sound, the real story is not in how many stations there are across America, but in the ministry that takes place each week.
K-LOVE (targeted at listeners 25-44 years old) and Air 1 (targeted at 18-34-year-old listeners) provide more than entertaining contemporary Christian music. In fact, the primary objective is to share the Good News of the gospel. As explained in the EMF Broadcasting Mission Statement, the objective is:
To effectively communicate the gospel message to those who do not know or fully understand it; through full-time contemporary Christian music and short educational elements over radio, the Internet and other select and targeted media, using modern day language and the highest professional standards.
This year, more than 9,000 people will pray with an EMF Broadcasting pastor to accept God’s grace in their lives or make a recommitment in their walk with Christ, as a result of listening to the ministry of K-LOVE or Air 1.
Built on prayer
Currently, an average of 21,000 plus prayer requests are received each month at the ministry headquarters in Rocklin, Calif. In July, there were 22,398 to be exact. These requests cover a variety of topics from knowing God’s will, to prayer for addictive behavior, depression, anxiety, suicide, healing, finances, marriage relationships, and to accept Christ as savior.
Every request received is prayed for individually, at least three times during the week by EMF staff members and others. And for those listeners in a crisis situation, one of EMF’s five full-time staff pastors is available, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
The on-staff radio pastors are the first line of defense during a crisis situation day or night. But through an extensive national network of resources, these individuals are then referred to local churches, counseling services, or help agencies for follow up. The radio pastors are always concerned that a listener who calls for help also makes a connection with a local church congregation.
Mike Henderson, senior pastoral ministry coordinator, says: “Our job is to help the listener through their immediate crisis, and since a large portion of our listeners have not yet accepted Christ, we also stress the importance of finding a local church and becoming part of that community of believers for the ongoing support they will need in their walk with God.”
In addition to the ministry of the pastoral staff, this year, the Phone Ministry Team will complete more than 75,000 calls to pray with listeners. Those listeners who receive a call from an EMF team member are often surprised to know the call is not to ask for money, but simply to say ”thank you” for their financial support, and then to ask if there are any specific life issues that need prayer.
Sensitivity toward seekers
So many listeners say the reason they listen to K-LOVE or Air 1 is that the gospel is shared through the music and the personal lives of the announcers who become an important part of their lives. These listeners fill their minds with positive and encouraging messages in a world where the secular media conveys a negative message.
Because so many K-LOVE and Air 1 listeners did not grow up attending church on a regular basis, “Christian-ese” terms and phrases are avoided by the radio announcers at all costs. Those seeking answers to life’s questions hear a message of hope in language they can understand. But, this can’t be done without the help of others. It takes faithful financial partners across America and around the world to help defray the hourly operating expenses of each EMF Broadcasting station (the “average” cost of an hour of broadcasting is $40 per month).
Making difference with the local church
One of the most important relationships that EMF Broadcasting enjoys is with the local church, and it’s a partnership that benefits both ministries.
K-LOVE and Air 1 assist local churches in promoting their events with free on-air announcements, if the event meets certain general interest criteria. For example, the church event must be free to the public and of general market appeal to a wide variety of listeners. Concerts, financial planning seminars,youth events, and marriage encounter weekends are typical general appeal events that are aired for free. This general appeal guideline is necessary because of the evangelistic nature of EMF’s mission. Approximately one-half of all K-LOVE and Air 1 weekly listeners do not fully understand what it means to be a Christian.
Church partners also assist EMF through the promotion of certain gospel outreach events and provide salvation counseling at Christian concerts.
In addition to assisting local churches promote their events, K-LOVE and Air 1 also provide free on-air promotions for several national ministry partners. Each year, more than $1.5 million is raised to feed the poor, provide fresh water wells in Third World countries, build churches, set-up medical clinics, and construct orphanages around the world.
“The local church is a critical component for our continuing ministry to listeners. They need the support, teaching, and nurturing of a local church community, and we encourage our listeners to become actively involved in their local church” stated EMF President, Dick Jenkins.
In a recent phone call from the pastor of a church in Colorado, the pastor said, “Thank you for helping to save the life of one of our members.” Tanya had decided to end her life. In fact, her message to the radio station was “Please pray for God to release me from bipolar disorder and depression. I am tired of it. I am planning on killing myself tonight. I love God. He is my life but I can’t take it anymore.”
Because of the working relationship between a staff radio pastor and a local pastor in Colorado, a life was saved. Tanya is now doing great and ministering to older adults in her church.
Who would have thought a radio network could have that kind of impact? But then, K-LOVE and Air 1 are no ordinary radio networks.
If you are not familiar with K-LOVE or Air 1, log on to www.klove.com or www.air1.com for the FM dial position in your area, or you can listen to K-LOVE and Air 1 on the Internet.
If you are not a church partner with either radio network and would like more information on how your church can work together with EMF Broadcasting, e-mail Pastor Mike Henderson at mhenderson@emfbroadcasting.org.
Top
|
