The Next Steps

You might be asking what's next for this burgeoning media ministry? You aren't alone. About a week and half ago I posted a program called "The Reasons." After explaining why I began to do all of this, the episode turned into vision casting about the next steps for this ministry.

I have always had a burden for other artists, musicians, and writers and helping them share the gift the Lord has given them. Although I have been criticized as a self-promoter, I believe firmly that if you have something to share, you do not have the right to keep it to yourself. I believe very much in what the Lord has given me and, more importantly, in the gifts the Lord gives others as well. That leads me to the next step.

My wife and I have been praying for some time now for the direction for us to take. We've made a few false starts and pulled back for more clarification. We are now certain and are working to make the next step happen. I have been doing research on what would be necessary to start a 24-7 streaming internet radio station. With the growth in listenership for internet radio and the minimal expense of starting, this is the logical and best move to make.

The station will be a combination of talk and music with most of music from local and independent artists. Musical segments would be arranged by genre and broadcast at regular times each day. Talk will include an expanded version of Foundational Truth and others who have a similar calling to do likewise. We also intend to attach an online store to provide a venue for the artists featured on the programs to make their materials available. Eventually, some of the programming will be live with callers. I am very excited about the prospects of this move and feel very much that this is the Lord's direction.

There are two realities of this move. The first is financial. While this is not nearly as expensive as a broadcast station, there are some very real expenses involved. Monthly service fees, equipment, advertising, and money to cover the time spent on the station are all necessary. I have projected a start-up cost estimate of $5-6000 to cover all of that for the first couple of months and the filling fees for a non-profit corporation. Just for comparison, that wouldn't even begin to cover the cost of the filing fees for a broadcast station much less any of the other costs involved.

The other reality is by far the more exciting. I cannot produce all of the content necessary myself. I will need to find others who are willing to produce programs, especially the musical ones. I would like to do one of those myself, but am more than happy to give up the "spotlight" to someone with a real gift for it. The more local Christian artists can receive the exposure their gifts deserve, the better off the Kingdom is.

I now have to ask the questions? Would you listen to this type of station? Are you interested in being a part of it by producing a program (I'll train you) or providing music? Finally, would you be willing to prayerfully consider financially supporting this ministry?

There's a lot more to discuss with you about this than can be covered in a blog post. The vision is quite extensive and detailed. If you want to know more, let me know and I will give you as much of the brain dump as you can handle.