The Final Frontier

A few years ago I read a book by John Eldredge called "Wild at Heart" that caused some introspection. While reading it, I kept wondering if maybe I should head in another career direction. I have worked in radio since 1972 and specifically in Christian radio since 1984 but this book made me wonder if God had something else in mind for me.

At the end of 2006 I resigned from my position with Family Life Radio in Tucson, AZ without any idea of what I was going to do. I worked with H&R Block for about two months before landing a job with Westwood One at their Metro Networks news room in Phoenix. They had just started a new internet division and I was hired as their Senior Web News Editor. Looking back in hindsight, God used this 15 month stint to create within me a strong desire to return to Christian radio and appreciate what I once had.

I sent out some resumes and received responses from Charlotte, St. Louis and Meade, KS. Although there was strong interest from the other two stations, it was Great Plains Christian Radio in Meade, KS that invited us to come out for an interview. This is not a place I would have chosen but it was obviously where God wanted us. So me and A'Lisa packed up all of our worldly goods (or at least all we could carry) and abandoned Phoenix for Southwest Kansas.

God used that hiatus from Christian radio to give me a renewed vision and a fresh perspective. Obviously He wanted to bring back the zeal that I had when I first chose radio as a career. Suffice it to say, living in Meade was completely different. There are only 5000 people in all of Meade County, whereas the city of Phoenix has 4,000,000 people. The biggest problem with living here is the lack of convenience. WalMart is 40 minutes away and any major city is 3 hours away.

The Lord gave us many ministry opportunities here. Not just radio ministry but pulpit supply all over SW Kansas and eventually I joined the staff of our church part time. Our church provided many opportunities for both of us to use our spiritual gifts. But now it's time for a change and hopefully this will be our final move. Radio is a transient business and I've worked all over the country but we're ready to settle down.

Last week I was offered the Operations Manager position at our sister station in Abilene, KS and I accepted. This past weekend we secured a beautiful new house that's only two years old and it's near the radio station. It will be nice to live closer to cities like Topeka and Kansas City but more importantly I will have the opportunity to work in management again. God has given me many years of experience along with talent and abilities. Now He can use what He's given me to help make this station successful. Everything happens for a reason and it's always according to His schedule.

"All glory to God, who is able, through His mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think." Ephesians 3:20