STAR 93.3 FM midday DJ Rob Lewis takes a break during the one-day campaign to show off his SonSet® radio.

During a one-day sharathon at STAR 93.3 FM in Cincinnati on Thursday, July 26, listeners gave donations and pledges to purchase and send 388 solar-powered, fixed-tuned SonSet^® radios to Thailand. They will be tuned to only pick up signals from HCJB Global's partner stations in the country.

"We were thrilled to be partnering with HCJB Global in reaching more people for Christ through radio," said Station Manager Art Garza. "The stories heard from the field regarding the SonSet^® radios no doubt resonated with our listeners, and we pray that our continued partnership will allow for more stories just like those. Thank you, HCJB Global, for your commitment and perseverance in reaching the world via radio-one village, one city, one country at a time."

Volunteers at the call center in Colorado Springs, l-r: Cheryl Thompson, Daunice Winters, Chaundra Rush

Although the campaign fell short of its goal of 750 radios, HCJB Global President Wayne Pederson said it's inspiring to know the handy sets will serve as "little missionaries, operating effectively and efficiently for 10 or 12 years, telling the message of the love of Christ to those who have never heard."

The campaign couldn't have happened without the collaboration of the staff at the HCJB Global Ministry Service Center in Colorado Springs, Colo., where a temporary call center was set up.

"The staff really got behind this event," said Pederson, who was one of about 20 staff members who volunteered, manning 10 incoming lines during the 12-hour fundraiser. "Some of the volunteers arrived at the office by 3:30 a.m. because of the time zone disparity, ready to take calls at 4 a.m. They were willing to do that! Our team was very positive and energized by the opportunity."

Pederson said he hoped this inaugural campaign with the Cincinnati station marked the start of a long-term partnership between the two ministries. "We're already talking to the personnel at the station about what we might do in the future," he said. "This event was just the beginning of a relationship with the station and the listeners."

Jon Fugler, vice president of advancement at HCJB Global, was at the station in Cincinnati during the event, encouraging listeners to get involved in the project and telling about the effectiveness of the SonSet^® radios.

Wayne Pederson answers a call from Cincinnati while Mary Lou Auckland, manager of the call center, looks on.

"We teamed up with the on-air staff, and together we were able to communicate the cause, the project and the impact of the radios, telling stories of how God has used them throughout the years," Fugler related. "This really had an effect on the listeners." Since 2001 the mission has distributed some 45,000 radios in 32 countries.

Fugler said the sharathon became a reality as a result of his long-term friendship with Garza. "I've known Art for many years," he said. "The station commits two days a year when they do missions work for other ministries. As we talked with Art about what we do at HCJB Global, he got excited about that and how they could have a part in a radio project. This project made a lot of sense because it's directly related to radio."

As one caller put it, "I hope the radios bless someone in the same way I've been blessed by radio." Another stated, "Praise God for what STAR 93.3 is doing to help reach the lost in Thailand."

Fugler concluded that "because of this campaign, 388 families will hear the gospel in Thailand, most for the first time. Each radio will reach many people as they listen together in their homes and in the villages. We could see thousands of people reached for Christ as a result!"

Source: HCJB Global