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For decades, the church has worked to minimize the impact that the entertainment industry is having on our young people. Instead of running from it, I believe we should use it to share the most compelling message of all time.

I believe it is time that we redeem it. Read a story of what can happen when relevant messages about Christ’s love are played on top stations in communities just like yours.

 “When I first heard Groundwire (on KISS FM in Des Moines, Iowa) I remember being very curious. It was my sophomore year of high school and I didn’t know who to believe, and I definitely didn’t know who I was or my purpose. I remember reading different insights on the site (www.groundwire.net) after logging on, and I liked what they said. Reading about a relationship with Christ made me wonder more about whether God existed. Half a year later, I logged on again and saw that the live chat application had been added. I remember hesitating, but I eventually logged on, and what I found was people willing to listen to me. I felt a sense of security, knowing I could turn off the computer if I ever felt uncomfortable. However, they were some of the most pleasant and helpful people I ever talked to. They taught me about Jesus and recommended specific parts of the Bible to read. About a month later, I received Jesus as my personal Savior.” (Lisa from Iowa)

They may not yet be connected to Christ or plugged into a local church, but 93 percent of all 12-17 year olds listen to the radio, according to the 2004-2005 Radio Marketing Guide and Fact Book. According to the Census Bureau, they spent 974 hours in 2007 listening to their favorite stations and hearing the latest music.

It is through their entertainment that they are developing their attitudes and honing their philosophy of life. Songs preaching hopelessness and increasing angst fill the airwaves. Pictures of immorality, promoting sexual experience, abound. Isn’t it time that we give Christ some airtime?

Lisa might never walk into your church. You might never bump into her in a mall or on a school visit, but you can still share the life-changing love of Jesus with her…and thousands more just like her. As they listen to their favorite radio station, why shouldn’t they hear about the amazing love of the Creator?

Paradigm Shift

Isn’t it time that we break out of our buildings and take Christ into the heart of the culture? If our God-given mission truly is to “Go take Christ into the whole world,” we have to find creative ways to cross paths with those who will not come to us. And what better way than to come alongside their music than on the mainstream radio stations that have already captured their attention and gained their loyalty?

These stations offer an audience that is diverse in their spiritual pursuit and development, but singular in their need. Jesus is the answer to every meaningful question they have, and only He offers them the hope of Heaven.

Pre-Christians listen to mainstream radio. Atheists and agnostics tune in; as do cultural Christians who are convinced they would get to heaven because they live in a Christian nation, have attended a Christian church, or were raised by Christian families. They need to know that there is more to faith than club affiliation.

Prodigals are also tuned in. This includes those who have encountered Christ in the past, but have neglected Him. Reminding them that God is right there next to them, waiting to be a part of their life, often proves to be the thing to breathe on those fading embers until spiritual desire returns.

Those mainstream stations are also the choice of struggling Christians who are working out their faith. By utilizing secular radio, we have the ability to offer encouragement to those trying to figure out how God intersects life. We can reinforce every day what they are hearing in their church and youth services weekly. We can also offer biblical hope and strength as they navigate through their normal teenage life.

With the radio as a vehicle, you can reach a diverse audience without sacrificing the message. If you buy the air time, you have content control to say more than “Christ is cool;” you can boldly proclaim, “Christ is the way.”

Closer to home

Because you understand God’s jubilation when one young person surrenders their life to Christ, I am sure that hearing Lisa’s story excites you. However, there are more Lisas that need to be reached; and not just in Des Moines, but in your community as well. As you walk into the coffee shops of your town, you see young people that are living separated from Jesus and His plan for their life; and, because they do not know they should be seeking a spiritual voice, many are not coming off the street into your church.

They might not come to you, but you can help take Christ to them.

If you are interested in exploring how you can use mainstream radio to reach teenagers in your market, take a few minutes to consider the suggestions below.

• Continue to pray, asking God to expose every student in your community to the gospel of Jesus Christ. It is imperative that we run with God’s vision and not our own. His eyes search your area, waiting for opportunities to interject truth, captivate hearts, and change lives. People who share His burden and are attentive for opportunities will be in the right places at the right times to see those miracles take place. Prayer is what encourages, propels, and sustains that work.

• Make this a point of prayer and conversation at your next local network meeting. Three, five or ten churches sharing the vision for getting Christ on the secular station in your area will offer greater insight and resources than if you do it on your own. Besides, this is a community outreach to the corners of your city. You need each other to make this a success.

• Call a local radio station and ask for a ranker. By speaking with their sales department, you can request information on the top stations in your area. Request the age 12-24 demographic and ask for the “Cumulative” (total weekly listeners) and “AQH” (Average Quarter Hour - how many people are listening every 15 minutes). Pray over these numbers, which will be in the tens (if not hundreds) of thousands. See if God won’t begin to stir a vision for radio in your heart.

• Consider partnering with a ministry that is already utilizing mainstream radio as an avenue for outreach. Why recreate when you can work together. Check out Dawson McAllister’s weekend call-in show at www.dmlive.com or Groundwire’s 60-second Christ centered radio spots at www.groundwire.net. Or research other options like www.gospelspots.com or www.lifelinepro.com.

• If you are going to produce your own radio spots, consider how you will follow up. Taking Christ to the masses is the first step, but giving them a vehicle to get to Him is a key component here as well. If you are going to create questions, you need to give them a place to ask them. By partnering with some follow-up ministries (www.teenhopeline.com; www.needhim.com; www.allaboutgod.com; www.groundwire.net) you can offer great follow-up to those whose hearts are touched.

There are so many ways that you can allow God to dream through you. Perhaps what the Lord will have you do has never been done before. There are so many ways to move forward, but the key is just that: move. Do something. If God is stirring your heart, don’t ignore it. Heaven is waiting…and so are people like Colleen.

Colleen’s Story

At fifteen, she was hopeless. Struggling with life and causing herself pain, Colleen, heard a couple of radio spots that shared about Christ as the One who loves and can heal broken hearts. Her first conversation with a spiritual coach was to the point: “I heard the spot about the girl who cuts herself; I am a self-mutilator also. Do you really think Christ can help?”

After the volunteer coach listened to her and expressed the love of Christ, Colleen began a relationship with Jesus. From there, she was introduced to a youth group in her area that would offer her Christian relationships and the “what now” of following Christ.

It has been two years since that initial introduction, and Colleen is still a part of that youth ministry. She still has issues she is working through, but she is growing. She is on a worship team for their youth church, and helps lead a small group.

Where did Colleen hear about the live-changing love of Jesus for the first time? Not in a church; not at a youth camp, and not at a sleepover. She heard as she went about her normal life, listening to the radio station she was loyal to. God got hold of her heart and changed her life forever.

Let’s not wait for the next Colleen to come to us. Let’s take Jesus to her.  

Reach Kids Through Radio: Action Point

Interested in getting Christ in front of the same audiences that listen to Linkin Park and idolize Beyonce? We can help.

Go to www.groundwire.net/mymarket  to receive information on how many young people could be reached on the top stations in your market and an estimate of how much it would cost.