Sharathon at Spokane's Positive Life Radio station KEEH 104.9 started off with a bang this year thanks, in part, to the help of a record number of volunteers. Each fall the nonprofit Christian radio station turns to listeners in Spokane and the surrounding areas through the Positive Life Radio Network of stations to raise more than 60 percent of its funding for the year. With the theme “How Great Is Our God,” the staff and listeners really focused on re-dedicating the broadcast to the Lord. It was a time of celebrating what God has done through the ministry over the last 12 months.
In “Telephone Central,” where the pledge calls are received, it seems that each volunteer had a spiritual story to tell that led them to give their time to the cause of supporting Positive Life Radio. One such story came from Deanne, a new Christian whose first exposure to the life of faith was through Positive Life Radio. “At a time when I wouldn’t dare step foot in a church I started listening,” she said.
Now a faithful church member, Deanne considers it a joy to give her time to support the radio ministry. “Last week I heard a call for volunteers,” says Deanne, “I wanted to come in, but with work I was going to be too busy. At the end of the week I got laid off and my first thought was, “Now I can volunteer for the Sharathon!” Deanne admits that some people don’t understand her faith. They believe that she should be job hunting rather than volunteering. Deanne knows that God is in control and will lead her to the right place in His time.
Patricia and Julie met for the first time at the Sharathon last year and have been friends ever since, meeting for lunch at least once a month. Patricia was diagnosed with terminal cancer and given six months to live. After being told that her only hope to extend life beyond those few months was to undergo chemotherapy, she refused—choosing instead to give her circumstances to God. More than two years later she feels as good as ever, her tumors have experienced little growth (and in some cases have gotten smaller) and she lives each day to give glory to God.
Story after story emerged between phone calls until the volunteers felt as though they were in an impromptu worship service. At offering time in church each Sabbath we are reminded that giving is an act of worship. During the KEEH 104.9 Sharathon, it became clear that when we give our time to support a ministry that connects people to Christ we are worshipping as well.
KEEH 104.9 is a part of the Positive Life Radio Network with 11 broadcast facilities around the Inland Northwest, and is also heard worldwide via the Netcast at www.plr.org. And by the way, all of the Positive Life Radio stations reached and surpassed their Sharathon goals for the first time in several years. The totals: KEEH 104.9 Spokane $211,945, KGTS 91.3 Tri-Cities/Walla Walla and KPLL 94.9 Lewiston/Clarkston $152,491, KPLW 89.9 Wenatchee/Moses Lake $80,402, KYPL 91.1 Yakima $90,337, Worldwide Netcast $10,205.
Patricia and Julie enjoy the occasion which launched their friendship one year ago at Sharathon. (G Caldwell)
Deanne joyfully volunteers at the KEEH Sharathon in Spokane. (J Dalrymple)
