1. Tell us about your vision for WAY FM and how you
believe it is God's will?
WAY-FM’s
evergreen Mission that never changes, guides everything
we do, and which will never be fully accomplished in
our lifetime is “WAY-FM exists to encourage youth and
young adults in their Christian lives, and to introduce
non-believers to Christ.”
But we also
have an aggressive and measurable Vision for the next 3
years, called Vision 20:1 which is “Trusting God, we
will partner together to expand our outreach to 20
million people by 2007, resulting in a daily,
Christ-centered impact in the lives of 1 million youth
and young adults.”
It may not
necessarily be God’s will that WAY-FM grows bigger
physically, which we are doing. Bigger is not always
better. But I believe we can be confident it is God’s
will that “none should perish.” As long as our chief
aim at WAY-FM is to reach more people for Him, we can
for the most part be confident that what we are
currently doing to accomplish that, is God’s will.
2. What is the most fulfilling aspect to you personally
about Christian radio?
I’m honored
to participate in a radio company that is
ministry-minded, and that gets excited corporate-wide
about bringing life changing contemporary Christian
music into people’s lives. Since this music is what God
used in my own life to bring me to Him in 1976, it makes
it that much more fulfilling to see it happen all over
again everyday in other’s lives.
3. How has God used you in your role at WAY FM?
I hope He’s
used me to help our people grow in new ways and to use
their skills for God while finding professional
satisfaction. But you may have to ask our staff for
that answer!
4. How do you keep the ministry in what you do?
If you mean
personally, then I think by keeping the ministry in my
life: a daily devotional life, serving in my local
church, hosting a home bible study with my wife Irene,
and teaching my daughters what it means to live for
Christ in our culture.
If you mean
professionally, its by working hard to keep the “main
thing” in front of everyone. There is a business side
to what we do, just as a church has its business office
down the hall from the sanctuary. But what is the
flavor of the organization? What do we celebrate and
focus on the most? It starts with our WAY-FM mission
and our Core Values which are biblically-based. It is
aided by our intentional recruitment of people with
character and integrity to join us, who are competent to
do their job, and who’s chemistry will fit our
ministry’s corporate culture. Finally, I think it is
manifested by the way we treat and work with one another
internally, and the fruit of our labors as evidenced by
the changed lives that we hear from everyday. When one
of those powerful emails comes in, it is shared among
all the WAY-FM’s nationwide, and we find ourselves
“high-fiving” each other and praising God across the
internet!
5. Why do you think a "non-believer" would listen to WAY
FM?
I know
non-believers listen, because we hear from them. I
believe, beyond an all-music format that is
lifestyle-friendly to anyone who loves our style of
music, it is because our whole team, group-wide, works
extremely hard at creating a genuine atmosphere on-air
that is inviting and welcoming, regardless of your
spiritual commitment. Without sacrificing the integrity
of the message, we attempt to communicate in honest,
passionate and relevant ways, so that the listener
doesn’t feel left out if they don’t happen to know
church language or some “secret handshake.”
6. In your opinion what are the biggest obstacles facing
Christian radio today?
Having the
foresight to stay with the technological advances, so
that we can continue to be effective communicators of
God’s message of hope in Christ to as many people as
possible. But also, in this age of post-Christian and
even anti-Christian sentiment in our society, to learn
to be “sly as serpents and innocent as doves.” For
example, Christian TV has suffered for years with a
negative perception among the general public as being
condemning and exclusive. Christian radio may create
its own perception problems if it continues to only care
about the culture wars in our society. We can do better
by finding common ground with those we are called to
reach, and attempt to first befriend them rather than
condemn them.
