"Did that just happen?"

That's what I was thinking when I looked around the room as we hit the goal from last year's Pledge Drive.  It happened sooner than I expected in a tough economic year for a lot of people.  As I considered that question, I came up with these 2 answers.

YES, that DID just happen!  God did a miraculous work through His people and raised our goal in record time.  He is a mighty God not bound by our limits.

NO, that didn't JUST happen!  God has been working in people's lives for a long time to support this radio ministry.  Every year, he brings new people into our community of supporters which helps us continue to grow.  Years and years of support led up to last year's miraculous pledge drive.

As we look forward to what God has in store in 2010, I almost feel like a broken record.  God continues to open doors in new areas!  What a blessing to be able to come to you year after year and say that.  We have applied for a new signal for Wichita, Kansas.  Our awaited expansion in Western Oklahoma in the Elk City / Clinton area should see a "sign-on" in the next few months as soon as FCC approval comes for the new tower site.  We've also improved listening in Stillwater for both The House and Praise and upgrading antennas for a better signal in Shawnee.  Our Internet listening has continued to expand as well.  We improved the sound of our Praise stream recently and saw record numbers of new listeners during the Christmas season as we featured all Christmas music.

Our Internet streams have never been more important than now as the world continues to go more "mobile".  Maybe you've been reading about Wi-Fi coming to your car.  This is so exciting to me as that could make it possible for people all over to listen to us as they drive just like a local radio station.  Amazing!  Already we have "invaded your personal space" by being accessible on your cell phone.  Would you believe there have been over 75,000 downloads of our iPhone app?  Plus those on other phones like Blackberries and Droids listening in as well.  We continue to try to get the message in our music… the message of Christ… everywhere we can.

It's easy to marvel at all of this technology but daily we remind ourselves that all of this is accomplishing a very personal agenda.  Sharing Christ with PEOPLE.  Men, women and children who need a friend who offers lasting hope and peace.  That friend is Jesus Christ.  Through our music and our DJ's the goal is really very simple… to share the love, grace, hope, peace and salvation message of Jesus Christ to all who hear it.

In fact, our theme this year is kind of a smash up of all the things we think about daily.  Reach.  Connect.  Share.
REACH people where they are.  Reach into cars, homes, businesses, cell phones with every opportunity we can grasp.
CONNECT with people.  We really do care about our listeners.  We want to make a connection in your life.  Whether it's through the music, the DJ talk, the ministries or even our web site or Facebook, we want to be connected to you.
SHARE Christ and encouragement with people.  People need the love, grace and peace of Jesus Christ in their lives and that's what we want to share every day.

I hope you will read some of the testimonies we've printed here from listeners who have been impacted by Christ's message through our ministry.  And I hope you will realize that your support directly helps make this happen... every day.  Lives are being touched and changed from your neighborhood all the way around the world and back.

With God continuing to grow this ministry, I believe this year will be our best yet and we will see God do things that will amaze us.  Will you please consider being part of this work of God with your prayers and financial support?  Last year we "tightened our belts" as many families did and kept our operating budget the same as the year before.  We were faithful to that in our spending in 2009.  This year we feel God is leading us to increase our budget and continue to grow in many areas.  For the first time in our history, our budget will pass the one million dollar mark.

Why has our budget increased for 2010? We have been very blessed that two expensive pieces of equipment that helped us get on the air 17 years ago lasted so long, but they really must be replaced this year.  The new frequencies that we've added or will add this year mean more tower rent and electricity costs.  Also, in 2009, we had a budget and salary freeze and to keep the best staff, we need to budget for raises.

$1,000,000.  There's just something about that one million dollar mark that makes you take an extra breath.  Believe me, we are very humbled that God has entrusted this to our stewardship.  It is so amazing to think that God has grown the ministry to this point of having an operating budget above one million dollars.  Won't you join with us in another record breaking year of ministry?  Please go on-line or call or send in the form with this newsletter to be an important part of this year's Pledge Drive.

As we march toward a million, I hope to count you in that number this year with whatever monthly pledge or donation God lays on your heart.  He will bless it greatly.  Please pray that others will step out on in faith to either continue their support or even make a pledge for the first time.

Thank you for taking time from your busy schedule to look through our special Pledge Drive 2010 web page and consider supporting the ministry.  Hopefully all of the information you might need is included there.  We would love to answer any questions by phone as well at 800-324-8488.

God bless you and your family and thanks for your prayers and support of The House FM & Praise 88.7.



Tony Weir Program Director

P.S. We are so excited to have a Music Boat Cruise for 2 donated to us to give away.  Your "early bird" pledge of at least $15 a month made before March 2nd will qualify you to be in the drawing for this incredible Caribbean cruise with over a dozen Christian Music artists.  Being an "early bird" will also help us get a huge jump start toward this incredible goal.