July 9, 2010

Sources: HCJB Global, World Radio Network (written by John Adams)

KWRB is well known on the FM band in and around Sierra Vista, Ariz. While the programming is appreciated by many, the "hands on" involvement in the community is also being applauded. There's good reason why the station's name, "The Spark," is so appropriate.

Whether he wants it or not, station manager Arron Daniels' emphasis on "works accompanying faith" is being recognized with gratitude. The station is part of the World Radio Network, one of HCJB Global's cooperating ministries with a network of stations along the U.S.-Mexico border.

A recent example of The Spark's community service is Operation Paintbrush. More than 100 volunteers assembled on a recent Saturday morning to paint five houses around Cochise county. They included staff from a well known restaurant chain, local realtors, staff at Teen Challenge and members of two battalions at nearby Fort Huachuca.

A paint store donated 150 gallons of "top-of-the-line" paint. Another well-known home improvement chain donated other supplies, and a local restaurant provided lunch for the workers. The owners of the homes were either 65 or older or legally disabled. Other qualifying factors were used to determine the fortunate recipients of this practical care.

But Daniels had already been blazing this trail since moving to Arizona from southern Texas about two years ago as he and his band regularly visited the coffee house on the local army base.

Church members had responded by providing special dinners for some of the troops. And on a monthly basis, church groups are simply hanging out and playing games with troops as part of The Spark's practical involvement. Concerts in the local downtown park and kids' programs during the summer months also characterize Daniels' "live and in person" community outreach.

"Recently I was locked up 'for good' to help raise money for the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA)," he added. "We raised $1,900 for local kids with MD, MS (multiple sclerosis) and ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis). It was a great day!"

All of this led to Daniels' recent nomination for the "U-Rock" trophy. It's the city council's annual community service award. He was one of the top five finalists this year but failed to win the award.

A city official spoke with him after the award ceremony, explaining that his nomination didn't result in a victory because he and The Spark didn't fit any of the categories that are normally recognized (such as hotels or restaurants). It was implied that next year a new category would be created to improve his chances of winning the well-deserved award. Daniels smiles and says, "The bottom line is, faith without works is dead."