Dear Christian Radio…

Here we are…2020. There is a global pandemic, economic distress, civil unrest and deep political divides in our country. People are getting sick. People are dying. Businesses are closing. Jobs are being lost. Many are dealing with anxiety, fear, depression and loneliness. It feels like the world has gone crazy.

So much has changed.

We are living in unprecedented times. We are navigating a “new normal.” One of the most difficult things during these times is the social isolation. We are dealing with higher levels of stress and anxiety and we don’t have the support systems we used to have with family and friends. Just going to the store can be a stressor.

So much has changed.

For all of us in Christian radio, so much has changed.  We have to engage with our listeners and donors in new ways. We can’t be out in the community doing events. We have to work in “socially distanced” work spaces. Fundraisers have to be done differently. Underwriting and donor meetings have to be conducted via videoconference or phone. We have to do all of this – figure it out and meet our listeners where they are – while we deal with our own personal fears, concerns and uncertainty.

So much has changed.

With all of the changes we’re facing and the uncertainty that surrounds us, we grieve our old lives. We wish for “normal.”  We miss our friends, our families, our churches. We want to get back to “business as usual” with concerts, events, face-to-face meetings and our old work spaces.

So much has changed.

It can be easy to get overwhelmed and wonder what to do now. Why are we here? What is the role of Christian radio during these crazy times? We’re tired. We’re anxious. We’re worried about the future and about the health of our family and ourselves. We are feeling isolated and maybe even depressed. We have concerns about things we would never have thought about a year ago. These are tough times.

So much has changed.

Yes, so much has changed in such a short time. But so much has NOT changed. Jesus is still the hope and the only answer for our hurting world. People still need Jesus. And, people need us. This is not the time to shy away from our calling to serve.

Now, more than ever, people need Christian radio. We have long been the church for many listeners. Now, with so many who are unable to go to church, we need to be the church for more of them. Let me encourage you to find new ways to point people to Jesus. Find new ways to spread hope and offer encouragement to listeners. Spend more time in prayer for listeners, their families, their businesses and their churches. Look for opportunities to reach out to listeners and donors. Ask them how we can pray for them. Thank them for being part of our ministry and for helping us share the Gospel.

Be the church.

Church is not a building. Church is a community. Christian radio has been given a unique opportunity to step in the gap and be the church in a way we have never been.  There has not been a time in history when we were unable to gather with our church families. This is new territory. People are looking for answers. People are looking for hope. People are looking for something that still feels “normal.”

Be the church.

If you are like me, you have days where you feel like giving up. This is hard. We are working differently and it is tiring. But, we can’t quit now. More people are tuning into Christian radio. Point them to Jesus. Love on your listeners and donors. Show them you care and tell them they are loved. Reach out more. Engage in new, creative ways. Pray.

Be the church.

God has placed us here for this moment. Embrace the “hard” and utilize this unprecedented time to reach more people for Christ. So much has changed, but Jesus has not changed. He is still the only hope—that has not changed.

Dear Christian Radio…

Be bold.
Be brave.
Be the church.

Robyn Porterfield
Associate Vice President of Underwriting
Positive Alternative Radio

Sign up for Dear Christian Radio’s Weekly Email!

Home