As we continue this walk through the ministries of my life, today I will introduce you to the world of radio. And before you ask... YES!!! I do have a radio voice.
The city where I grew up has it's own local Southern Gospel radio station. For those of you who are scratching your heads, Southern Gospel in a genre of music that combine country, bluegrass, folk and barber shop quartet style all with a spiritual and biblical backing. My father took me to the concerts that the station hosted throughout the years as I was growing up. It was the only music I listened to until I was in high school.
The city where I grew up has it's own local Southern Gospel radio station. For those of you who are scratching your heads, Southern Gospel in a genre of music that combine country, bluegrass, folk and barber shop quartet style all with a spiritual and biblical backing. My father took me to the concerts that the station hosted throughout the years as I was growing up. It was the only music I listened to until I was in high school.
Each day on the drive to my high school, I had to drive by the radio station, and since I was looking for a job this high school junior stopped in one day. The Station Manager stuck me in this tiny production room and started one of the recording machines and handed me some papers to read off of. After reviewing the recording tapes, he informed me that they were not currently hiring, however, I was welcomed to "hang out" with the afternoon DJ after school. At first I was just watching, and then I started pushing buttons while Jimmy (the DJ) was watching. In radio almost everyone has two station jobs, and Jimmy's was commercial sales. Once Jimmy felt I had learned enough he would talk during the radio break, and then return to his desk to call clients while I was in the driver's seat. That was so much fun.
Finally, the station manager saw fit to give me my first air shift. I wish I could say it was prime time but we all know it does not work that way. There is a ladder to climb. My first air shift was Saturday nights from 10pm to 6am Sunday morning. For those of you who saw last week's post, this was during the same time that I was in charge of the Bus Ministry at church. I had to be there at 8am on Sundays for our first Bus Route. I may have fallen asleep a few times in church during that stage of my life! This weekend overnight shift was so boring, but I was not yet familular enough with the music to take requests. So, to break up the boredom I decided to take prayer requests and do a devotion. This idea was put on my heart following a New Year's Eve prayer service. The pastor made a big deal about praying in the New Year, and I thought, what if we prayed in every week, praying primarily for the church services that would be taking place later that morining and opening the phones up for prayer request as well. This touched so many people that I cannot even begin to tell you.
Finally, the station manager saw fit to give me my first air shift. I wish I could say it was prime time but we all know it does not work that way. There is a ladder to climb. My first air shift was Saturday nights from 10pm to 6am Sunday morning. For those of you who saw last week's post, this was during the same time that I was in charge of the Bus Ministry at church. I had to be there at 8am on Sundays for our first Bus Route. I may have fallen asleep a few times in church during that stage of my life! This weekend overnight shift was so boring, but I was not yet familular enough with the music to take requests. So, to break up the boredom I decided to take prayer requests and do a devotion. This idea was put on my heart following a New Year's Eve prayer service. The pastor made a big deal about praying in the New Year, and I thought, what if we prayed in every week, praying primarily for the church services that would be taking place later that morining and opening the phones up for prayer request as well. This touched so many people that I cannot even begin to tell you.
A new shift became available Sunday Afternoons from 2pm-1opm. The station manager informed me that he was aware of the impact that the prayer time was making, but he could not pay me to continue it. I decided to continue the program anyways, because this boredom breaker was actually making a difference. Not only had I been praying, but also delivering a mini devotion leading up to the prayer. With my new schedule, I would go in at 10pm Saturday and leave at 1am, then i would be back to work on Sunday afternoon.
At this point in time, I had started back to school at Carson-Newman College. After three semesters in college, I decided college was not for me, so I returned home to a full time position at the same radio station. This time, I did have a prime time spot, M-F 10am-2pm. Jimmy had moved away and left a spot for me. I was sad that I would not be able to do my devotions anymore, until one day, I was informed that I could. Rather than going back to the mid-night devotion to start Sunday off right, we chose to go with the Mid-Day Motivator at 10:30am M-F. This is still a segement that I do to this day.
At this point in time, I had started back to school at Carson-Newman College. After three semesters in college, I decided college was not for me, so I returned home to a full time position at the same radio station. This time, I did have a prime time spot, M-F 10am-2pm. Jimmy had moved away and left a spot for me. I was sad that I would not be able to do my devotions anymore, until one day, I was informed that I could. Rather than going back to the mid-night devotion to start Sunday off right, we chose to go with the Mid-Day Motivator at 10:30am M-F. This is still a segement that I do to this day.
I mentioned almost everyone in radio had two station jobs... well my second job is assistant promotion director. This allows me to plan those concerts that my dad was always taking me to when I was younger. I am also in charge of, oversee, or manage various contests that we do, as well as managing station events under the direction of my supervisor, the Promotion Director.
Well, that's enough about the business side of radio, afterall this is Ministry Monday... I get listeners who call in on a regular basis who say that the message in the Mid-Day Motivator, a song that I play, or even a story I share blesses them. The radio industry has been hit hard by the economic downturn as well as CDs, MP3 downlooads, and satelite radio. Therefore, the bussiness side of this industry does not alway mean a good paycheck, but who can put a price on the blessings that is brought to our listeners. This station is part of my ministry.
Well, that's enough about the business side of radio, afterall this is Ministry Monday... I get listeners who call in on a regular basis who say that the message in the Mid-Day Motivator, a song that I play, or even a story I share blesses them. The radio industry has been hit hard by the economic downturn as well as CDs, MP3 downlooads, and satelite radio. Therefore, the bussiness side of this industry does not alway mean a good paycheck, but who can put a price on the blessings that is brought to our listeners. This station is part of my ministry.
so cool!
ReplyDeleteI wish you had a clip for us to hear though :(
is there a way of tuning in online?
I would LOVE to hear your show x