Matthew's Thoughts on Giving

Here is Matthew Pilch in action!

Sharathon's Here!

It's September 19, and that means that the annual WCTS sharathon is kicking off this morning! I don't know about you, but for me it's very exciting to have the opportunity to give back to the station is gives me so much throughout the year. And so I enjoy the break in programming to listen to the sharathon drive, our devoted radio hosts, and guest speakers.

One thing that is quite exciting to me this year is that, with all the technology available at our fingertips, I can share some of the sharathon happenings with you directly. So I'll be posting an occasional picture or video from time to time. Also, be sure to check the sidebar for WCTS twitter updates - or, one step better, follow them directly on twitter!

A Note from the General Manager of WCTS

If you're like me, then you enjoy hearing from the personnel of WCTS.   Well, actually, I suppose that's something you could enjoy even if you're not like me, but then again we'd be alike in this matter.  So anyway, when I heard that there was a note about Sharathon 2011 from Steve Davis on the unofficial WCTS facebook page, I thought it deserved as big of an audience as possible and decided to post it here as well.

Dear Friend of WCTS,

Sharathon is right around the corner (September 19-23) and will be here before we know it. I'm eager to see what God will do this year in Sharathon as we trust Him for our goal of $140,000. WCTS has felt the economic squeeze, just like everyone else. Our object is to minister God's Word to people. The future is as bright as the promises of God. Since we are listener supported, it is vital that our listeners be involved in Sharathon. There are several ways you can be involved in this important annual event.

First, we humbly ask for your prayers. "Unless the Lord build the house, they labor in vain that build it." Jesus said, "Without Me ye can do nothing." We recognize that this is God's radio station and He must build it.

Second, you can volunteer to take phone pledges during Sharathon. Time slots are open throughout the week. To volunteer send us an email wcts@centralseminary.edu or call (763) 417-8270 and let us know when you are available.

Finally, pray about what God would have you give. If each of us does our part, WCTS will be fiscally healthy and strong. Each of us must resolve in our own hearts what God would have us give.

Sharathon is coming, and we are trusting God to provide.
Thanks for being a friend of WCTS.

Steve Davis

Of course, you're still welcome to drop me a note about volunteering as well.  Hope to see you there!

A New Voice on the Air

There is some exciting news in the air - and on the air, too!  As I'm sure you know, WCTS has been looking for a new afternoon host to fill the vacancy John left behind.  Well, the wonderful news is that have ceased their search!  Yes, the need for an announcer has been filled!  He is someone entirely new to us, unlike the station's new general manger who is someone we have come to know over the years he's been with the station in another capacity.  I guess I should say entirely new to most of us.  Being that he is Jeremiah's brother-in-law, I would say the two of them are likely to be at least somewhat acquainted with each other, as well as having other friends and loved ones.

Okay, so now that all of that is straightened out, let's welcome Matthew Pilch to WCTS!  I must say that I've been rather impressed with his sports reporting.  I wonder if he's a Vikings fan or if they decided to retain a Packer fan to fill that vacancy, too?  I guess we'll just have to find out, won't we?  Anyway, I'm thinking he's likely to be a great addition to the station, so I'm sending out my own personal & hearty welcome his way!

Oh, and Matthew?  Keep up the good work!

A Call for Sharathon 2011 Volunteers

Perhaps right now you are as I was several years ago.  I had a deep interest in in the WCTS sharathon and things pertaining to it, but was unaware of the things I could do to help.  I mean, yes, I knew the station was (and still is) listener supported, and I could help monetarily with any size gift, but I didn't know about the things I could do during the sharathon that would help in a physical way as well.  I guess I just figured they probably had all the help they would need with the station's staff and with those whom they are directly affiliated (Central Seminary and Fourth Baptist Church).  But then they opened a comment line for listener's who would like to call in a comment, either an oral note to the staff so they could know how much the station is appreciated or something that could also be played on the air during the sharathon.  Well, I thought that was great, and so I called the mentioned number with my comment.  While I was listening to the recording's instructions, I noted that they were also open to people leaving their name and number if they were interested in volunteering some of their time to help with the sharathon.  That was very exciting to me because I had visited the station during a sharathon as a homeschool field trip several years prior, and it had been fascinating.  You could rightly guess that I did leave my name and number for sure!  And I have been helping out with each sharathon ever since!

This year, I want to let it be known that WCTS can use any time you can give them during the sharathon.  They have sign up sheets for that Monday-Friday, September 19-23, 2011, for the phone lines, which they need people for 4 phone stations from 7 am to 7 pm.  The time slots are for 2 hour periods (7-9 AM, 9-11 AM, et cetera), but you wouldn't be limited to only 2 hours, of course!

If you would like to help with Sharathon 2011, you can drop me a note through my profile because I'll be helping coordinate the volunteers this year.  I'll be looking forward to seeing you then!

Introducing....

It is a great pleasure and privilege for me to share with you some very good news at the WCTS homefront!  There's someone I'd like to introduce to you as the new general manager of the station.  Yet, in all reality, he's someone we are already blessed to know, and thus needs no introduction at all.  You could say he's new person to the job, but not new to us or a management position.  So who is he, this person who will be stepping into the general manager position?  Steve Davis, whom we know as the morning host and for his program Christianity in a Changing Culture book reviews as well as from his now soon-to-be former position as Operations Manager, has applied and been hired for the position.  As I spoke with Steve, we spoke of how the Lord had laid it on his heart to apply, of knowing how the Lord gives strength and grace for whatever He calls one to do, and of looking forward to seeing God's will for the station continue to unfold.

For the station, I'm sure it's a three-fold blessing.  One, because Steve is already aware of how the station runs and the voice it wants to broadcast.  Two, because any orientation for the job can be done while Kimball is still on the job so Steve seamlessly take over any projects that were Kimball's responsibility.  And three, because the station will not be without someone in the role of general manager for even one day during this transition.

I know it is Steve's desire that the station continue to run in a manner that will bring honor and glory to our Saviour, and I'm sure that is something we all desire as well.  So, let's remember Steve in our prayers as he leans on the Lord and seeks His guidance for these new responsibilities.

Changes, But Not Changing

A few days ago, I talked about the changes that are happening at the station.  Today, I just wanted to take a moment to add a "post script" because, when there are changes of this magnitude, it might be easy to wonder what will happen to the station.  How will the station be affected, will it change dramatically, might we even lose what we so love about it?  Oh, there's so many questions one could ask!  It is with all these questions in mind that I wanted to reassure you as I have been reassured in my conversations with those in administration positions: The things we love about WCTS will remain the same.  Sure, there are bound to be some changes, but the things that matter will not change.

Changes, yes, but not changing.