To Every Cloud A Silver Lining
Dave Andrews • October 15, 2020
Milestones, Losses, Wins, and the Future
This month has definitely been an unusual one at KJOL. It seems like one big thing after another is happening around here. One thing is for sure, I am gaining a lot of experience behind the desk right now! It seems like the last several years have been one new experience after another. And I am really glad to have (yes my dad) Ken Andrews around working on a part time basis to act as a consultant on some pretty big decisions. And as we continue to take those steps forward, we are confident that God will preserve this ministry, and honor our efforts with fruit to come.
A quick glimpse back, as of October 5th, it has been 20 years
since Colorado Christian University sold the KJOL radio network to what is commonly known as KLOVE; and knowing all the hard work my father put into the previous network, I must admit it still smarts just a little. But I also am convinced it was part of God’s plan. We continue to proclaim the Joy of the Lord through the depth found in the Word of God, the music, and our on-air personalities, He is bringing as ministry opportunities like we can’t believe. And now we do it independently, and with no non-radio strings attached. There is still work to be done. So, instead of looking backward, we are looking forward.
And as we look toward the future, however, it’s with no small amount of satisfaction when an employee from our past ministry comes back on board to serve today. This happened recently with Scott McIntire, who was a former music director, recently retired as a pastor, and is now back ministering on weekends.
Now, this month, we once again hired Doug Shellabarger, who has recently returned to the area. Check out the write up on him in this email. Doug and Scott were both extremely influential in KJOL being what it was, and also is today. It feels like God is moving; and I wonder what is in store. It is exciting!
Something else that is exciting this month, is what appears to be much better coverage for our Paonia/Hotchkiss listeners. Our tower site in Paonia has had a lot of issues over the last year…and quite expensive issues. It’s been about a week and a half since our engineer replaced our antenna and 3rd filter this year, and that seemed to finally do the trick. We would love reports of how it sounds if you’re in the area. And if you would like to chip in to help cover some of those expenses, we would wouldn’t turn that away either!
Wrapping things up here, I do want to make a comment about Back To The Bible, after recent news that they are discontinuing their radio program. We are saddened. We know they have struggled with keeping speakers since Woodrow Kroll left, and have even talked to Nat Crawford about it directly. After noticing some urgent calls for financial help recently, it appears finances played a large part in their decision. It’s a shame, since they have been broadcasting since 1939, and have been with us pretty much from the start of KJOL.
However, with every dark cloud, there is a silver lining. We have narrowed down a our choices in a replacement program (more on that soon). As we pick one of the several finalists to fill the spot between Family Life Today and Focus on the Family, please be in prayer. Pray that we will choose wisely, and choose, for ultimately, the glory of God.
Unto the King,
Dave Andrews
KJOL Station Manager
(PS- Doug is the tall drink of water above)
Chris Tomlin is debuting a new worship song this week which was written around 250 AD. It is being called The First Hymn . The papyrus text was found a century ago among ruins in Egypt, but it wasn’t until recently that Wheaton professor John Dickson realized the First Hymn should be put to modern music. Chris Tomlin teamed with Australian songwriter Ben Fielding (“What A Beautiful Name”, “Mighty to Save”) to craft a modern worship song using the actual words from the original text as translated by Dickson. It includes the earliest mention of the Trinity: Let all be silent, the shining stars not sound forth, all rushing rivers be stilled as we sing our hymn to the Father, Son, the Holy Spirit, as all powers cry out in answer Amen. Amen. Might, praise and glory forever to our God, the only giver of all good gifts. Amen. Amen. You can watch the debut performance from Fort Worth, Texas, on YouTube. Tomlin and Fielding are performing the song and the documentary this week at Biola University and at The Museum of the Bible.
Our April Spring Friendraiser is underway here at KJOL! If you’re new to KJOL, it’s probably not what you think! While most Christian radio stations rely on the ‘ol classic “Sharathon” model for raising funding (interrupting days of programming to beg), as we did for years…KJOL no longer raises funds that way! Instead, we simply rely on God to provide. And we just let you know of our need as it arises. You might ask, “With people moving in and out of the area, how do you let new listeners or people who have never given before know you have this need?” We came up with this Friend-Raiser idea just for that purpose! With the purpose of NOT interrupting programming or even begging annoyingly, we will simply make short quick announcements on the air from time to time in April, letting folks know we need new donors to take up the mantle of service with us. Not only do we need brand new donors, but we still need our faithful monthly and one-time supporters to continue in ministry with KJOL again for 2025. I can tell you from talking to our listeners behind the scenes, KJOL is making a very real and positive impact for God’s Kingdom in our community, as we proclaim the Gospel of Jesus, the Word of God, and encourage Christians around the Western Slope and beyond every day. Each and every one of our supporters has a hand in that. A few highlights for 2025: · Our 2025 theme is Serving Him, By Serving You ; 1 Peter 4:10 · Our New Donor Goal is 30 brand new donors. · Brand New Donors in April with a gift of $25 or more will receive a KJOL branded Nalgene water bottle, graciously provided to us by a generous anonymous donor. · Past donors who make a gift in the month of April will receive a KJOL bookmark/ruler as a thank you gift for your continued faithfulness. · Everyone who donates to KJOL between April 1-29 will automatically be entered to win one of 5 pairs of general admission (both day) tickets to NightVision 2025 ! Our drawing will be held Wednesday, April 30th. Will you personally help provide this radio ministry to our community? When you give to KJOL in 2025, you will be serving our community and the Lord right there alongside of us! Thanks for praying about it. If the Lord leads, you can make a donation right here , respond to our recent mailing, add us to your bank’s bill-pay, or here’s our address: KJOL Radio, 1354 E. Sherwood Dr., Grand Junction, CO 81501 God bless you and thanks for your consideration! -Dave Andrews, KJOL Station Manager
Meet the artists behind three new songs featured on the KJOL Listener Pulse , and tell us what you think! Natalie Lane “All Joy” “ All Joy ” is the title cut of Colorado Springs native Natalie Lane’s debut album. She says joy became the theme of the entire album: “During open conversations with her collaborators, she realized they all had one thing in common: Everyone was going through very real, difficult things, but yet, they were all still managing to find joy and gratitude in the midst of life’s challenges.” I count it all joy when I run into trouble Count it all good when the bad days come ‘Cause I know that you’re always working And I know that you’re still not done So I’m gonna lift your praise through the trial Ain’t no storm gonna stop my voice ‘Cause I’ve lived some life And I’ve learned that I can always Count it all grace, Count it all joy Ryan Stephenson “Preach” Ryan Stephenson says he wrote Preach five years with his old college roommate, but he didn’t feel it was ready until now. His friend Matt Hammitt sings harmonies. “I hope this song is a encouragement for all of us, regardless of what we believe, to not just say things, but to live things, to practice what we preach.” I talk about grace I talk about love I talk about faith But some days I don’t have enough I talk about forgiveness Still learning how to give it Lord, I need your strength to live what I believe I want my life to preach Every breath, every beat I want my life to preach When I’m strong, when I’m weak Through valley lows and mountain highs Every moment testifies Further than my words could ever reach Lord, I want my life to preach Jamie MacDonald “Desperate” Jamie MacDonald grew up in Michigan and met Jesus at youth camp. But she had a troubled home environment and drifted away and fell into a life of partying and drugs. was difficult home life and She left home at 16, but in her 20s had a “wakeup call” and remembered what God had told her at camp. She began reading her Bible, “secretly attended church,” and did mission work. She now lives in Nashville. She says “There’s been so many moments where I’ve felt desperate. I feel like a lot of people get to that low place and don’t know how much God loves them. As my song says, ‘I’m not asking, I’m begging.’ It’s been cool to see God come through in some of my most Desperate prayers.” Oh God, I'm desperate Down on my knees Send help from heaven 'Cause that's what I need Redeem this wreckage Restore my peace I'm not asking, I'm begging Lord, come through for me I need heaven and I'm Desperate Desperate Oh, I need heaven, need heaven and I'm Desperate
You may have noticed we were unable to release an E-News flash last month…it’s been an odd year so far at KJOL! Not only have we been extremely busy here at the ministry, but Ken Andrews (my father and former KJOL Station Manager) and I (the current station manager) have been caring for my mother who has been battling aggressive cancer for well over a year. No doubt if you heard a recent Inside Report or prayed with Zane during Prayertime, you have heard about her condition, even though we didn’t mention her name at the time.
Some Of Our Favorite Songs of 2024 At the beginning of 2024 , I wrote about how KJOL has now surpassed 4000 songs in our library. And then during 2024, you heard another 167 new songs! Some of our favorites include: That’s My King , CeCe Winans --should have been “Song of the Year” How Great Thou Art , Matt Redman & Friends --75 th anniversary edition Heart & Flesh , Taya Smith & Leeland --a beautiful 6-minute appeal to God “My heart and flesh cry out for You” Now That I Know You , CAIN --“The change in me is plain to see, Now that I know You” Prodigal , Josiah Queen --His style may not suit everyone but somebody likes him: 300 million online streams in 2024! (See him at Nightvision in June) Don’t Stop Praying , Matthew West --one of Zane Matthews' favorite songs! And already in 2025 , there are some really fun new songs: Money Can’t Buy , Cochren & Co. --“You fill my life With something money can’t buy “ (Vote for this song in our Listener Pulse survey now!) Oh Death , Mercy Me --“Oh death you scared me to death Oh you ain’t my King though, Oh where did your sting go You ain’t nothin’ but a stone That my Savior rolled away” (don’t miss the video—it’s great!) Dalé (Praise) , Evan Egerer -- Dalé means “give it to him”. It is also a shout to motivate someone. “We give our praise to Yahweh, Dalé Nobody saves like God saves Don’t wait, Corre (run) to the One, come on, dalé ”
Michael Tait , the lead singer for the Newsboys , has left the group . His announcement came January 16, two days before the band was to start its world tour. Tait said his decision came after prayer and fasting, saying it came as a shock even to him. He added “although I am nervous about the future, I am excited about what it holds for both myself and the Newsboys, as we all seek first His kingdom and His righteousness.” Adam Agee is the new lead singer . He had previously been the lead singer for the band Stellar Kart, and then became lead singer for Audio Adrenaline for two years, until they disbanded. In 2023, Agee joined the Newsboys on vocals and bass. Newsboys released a statement after Tait’s announcement, saying “As he walks into the next season of life, we are stepping into the next season of Newsboys. We want you to know that Newsboys isn’t going anywhere, we’re going everywhere!” Tait led a revival of the Newsboys when he joined 15 years ago, with chart topping albums such as Born Again and God’s Not Dead. The first release featuring Tait, in 2010, was “ One Shot ” from the “Born Again” album. After the Newsboys performed their first concert on the new tour, Agee posted on Instagram , “Had to step up to the microphone last night. [a reference to a Newsboys song ] When we found out a week ago that our leader singer Michael Tait was leaving the band, we asked ourselves a lot of questions about the future. We got together and worked hard to put on the best show we could last night. I’m excited about the future and everything God has in store for Newsboys.”
