(April 1, 2011 - by Harold Goerzen) Up to two additional community radio stations for Thailand-a country that is just 0.5 percent evangelical-came a step closer to reality last week as a result of the annual sharathon that Elkhart, Ind.-based WFRN held with HCJB Global.

David Russell (left) and Dave Pasechnik.

"The energy during the campaign was electric!" said Ed Moore, manager of the WFRN Network which has 15 radio frequencies in north-central Indiana and southern Michigan. "It came from the strength and uniqueness of building radio stations in an area of such spiritual need and hunger. The people of Thailand are like dry sponges, thirsty for the living water of Jesus Christ. Our listeners really embraced this faraway country and the people in it."

Although the pledge drive, March 22-24, fell short of its stated goal, enough funds came in-above and beyond the money raised for WFRN's operational expenses-to finance the planting of one FM station in Thailand and part of a second.

"The success of the campaign came from the great stories, great testimonies, WFRN's responsive on-air team and the interaction with the audience," added Moore, one of the sons of former HCJB Global engineer Clarence Moore who founded Crown International and started WFRN. "Even in this economically depressed area, God touched people's hearts with this message."

Spencer Radzanowski, coordinator of fundraising and mobilization support at HCJB Global, said WFRN will hold an email campaign to raise the remaining funds for the second Thai station. "So far 46 percent of the funds for the second station have been raised."

Despite not reaching its goal, the sharathon had an "upbeat feeling," she related. "They had a huge surge at the end of the campaign when a number of people called in with matching gifts ranging from $500 to $2,000. That caused a lot of excitement on the air. The listeners were very upbeat and excited and passionate about the messaging."

Among those on hand for the event were one of HCJB Global's vice presidents of international ministries, Dave Pasechnik, along with David Russell and Curt Bender from the HCJB Global Technology Center in Elkhart.

"I was there for most of the time, sharing on the radio what God is doing through radio planting around the world," said Pasechnik who has served on the WFRN board for about 13 years. "David and Curt shared for one hour each on what the Technology Center has done in radio planting. From what we heard from the call center and feedback from the local area, the listeners were really becoming engaged with the project."

He added that it was "great to tell the stories about radio planting in the Asia Pacific Region and the impact they've had."

Pasechnik said the stations funded by the campaign could go on the air "by the end of this year," providing biblical teaching that will aid church growth and evangelism while airing information of general interest to listeners in local communities. "We are working with WFRN to see two stations completed."

Sources: HCJB Global, WFRN