Her life did not improve immediately, but this was the beginning of her total surrender to God and her journey out of darkness.
- A police office was on night duty and fell asleep driving. Something was said on the radio station playing in his patrol car that roused him from his sleep and spared him from an accident.
- A business man was traveling along Interstate 85 when he saw a billboard for the same radio station. Compelled, he turned to that station. He heard the saving message of the Gospel and committed his life to Christ, right there in his car.
All of these people have something in common – they have been impacted by 106.9 The Light, an FM radio ministry founded by Billy Graham in the Blue Ridge Mountains, just outside of Asheville, NC.
Every year in October, 106.9 The Light, which reaches seven states with the twelfth largest FM coverage in the United States, has an event called “Sharathon.” On October 6-7, listeners located within a large geographic span will be calling into the station to offer pledge support to the life-impacting work done by God.
“So many people tell us stories that start with something like, ‘you won’t believe this, but…’ and then, they talk about how they heard a song or teaching message at just the moment they needed it most,” said Jim Kirkland, Director of Radio for the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association. “We’ve heard those stories in multiples leading up to Sharathon, which reminds us that it is all God’s work. There is no way we could do any of that on our own. Their stories give us a means to reflect Him back through the airwaves.”
Not “Just” a Radio Station
106.9 The Light does more than play uplifting music and sound biblical teaching. It also serves as an international ministry, spreading the Gospel to listeners on the other side of the world. 10% of everything given through Sharathon is given to a sister station serving Arabic-speaking lands. This amount covers the annual operating budget for the station. “People understand the need for the Gospel in that part of the world,” said Kirkland.
Some other examples of international ministry include the sponsorship of Christian education for Lebanese children, partnership with another ministry to help purchase a radio transmitter to broadcast into Russia and collection of shoebox gifts for Operation Christmas Child.
Giving Back
106.9 The Light is committed to giving their resources to aid other ministries. “People have generously given to God’s work through the station. We, in turn are committed to give, as well, to God’s work,” said Kirkland.
“We feel very strongly that we are called to give of our airtime. It may be something as simple as promoting an event at an area church. But that is another calling we have as a ministry – to promote the awareness of other ministries.”
Looking Ahead
Kirkland says that when people give through Sharathon, it’s not about electricity or equipment. “Those are needed, but it’s just a tool to make the real work of touching lives possible.”
The economic challenges in 2008 brought an opportunity to build faith in God’s provision. On the first day of Sharathon 2008, the Dow fell 800 points. The next day, a major employer in the Charlotte, N.C. area (a major listener area) announced they were for sale. While the financial goals came a bit short, God’s provision did not.
“I’m looking forward to seeing where the Lord leads in 2009,” said Kirkland. “He has shown His faithfulness to us over and over. The financial climate may change; His faithfulness never will.”
