Touching Lives with Radios, Toys in Sierra Leone, West Africa

March 2, 2012

Touching Lives with Radios, Toys in Sierra Leone, West Africa

March 2, 2012

(March 2, 2012 - by Ralph Kurtenbach and Beth Patton) As Keith Clukey was pulling liquids out of his carry-on bag, getting ready to go through the x-ray machine at the airport in Freetown, Sierra Leone, a security worker noticed his Bible and asked if he were a missionary.

Keith Clukey does painting at BBN's new
counseling center in Freetown, Sierra Leone.

"Yes," Clukey responded hesitantly, caught off guard by the airport worker's question. Then her face lit up and she said, "You must be one of the people who came to help Believers Broadcasting Network (BBN) and the counseling center!" She was right. Clukey had just spent nearly two weeks with a work team, helping at the partner ministry.

Clukey has never been the man behind the microphone. Instead, he's been the man behind the person on the microphone. With 40 years of experience in engineering, machining and computers, he has served in various roles supporting the on-air personnel at Radio Station HCJB in Quito, Ecuador. Presently he works in information technology at the mission's international headquarters in Colorado Springs, Colo.

SonSet Radio Events leading to Clukey's recent trip to West Africa began with his cousin's death in November 2011. He commemorated his cousin's life by sponsoring several SonSet^® radios. These are solar-powered, fixed-tuned radios that HCJB Global supplies to partners around the world. They in turn offer the sets to people of the community so they can hear local Christian broadcasts in their own language.

Setting out from Colorado on Jan. 26 with HCJB Global's Nate Dell and his friend, Ted Soltis, both of Kremmling, Colo., Clukey was toting luggage containing the SonSet^® radios along with 30 wooden toy cars donated by Toys for God's Kids. The men linked up with Steve Iwan of the mission's Sub-Saharan Africa Regional Office in Ghana to help BBN in Freetown.

The top floor of this building is the site of
BBN's counseling center.

The frequency on each radio had been set to BBN's frequency, 93 FM. "I had heard the names of HCJB Global's partners," Clukey said. "But I had never seen in person the real impact of their broadcasts or how passionate these local believers are about their ministries."

The Jan. 26-Feb. 7 trip has helped Clukey pray with better understanding for such local partners. He said the experience also means he can communicate better with friends and donors about the impact of the ministry among partners in local communities. Chatting with people, he encountered loyal BBN listeners, including many who consider it their favorite or "premier" station.

Nate Dell

"I'm looking forward to telling my late cousin's wife about how God gave me the opportunity to deliver radios that were donate in my cousin's name," Clukey related, fondly recalling an early-morning worship time with the BBN staff.

"Hearing their voices as they sang and seeing their hearts as they prayed made me realize how much they loved Him and how much they loved the listeners," he said.

Praising Clukey as a great addition to the team, team leader Dell observed that "every time we turned around, Keith was generously giving things away … radios, toy cars, gear … you name it."

While in Freetown, Clukey helped to paint, stain and clean as the team worked alongside BBN Manager Ransford Wright and the station's staff to finish and dedicate a counseling center. The facility expands BBN's on-air outreach to include in-person counseling sessions as a way to show Christ's love to people whose country was torn apart by years of civil war.

Ted Soltis

He also found time for a live interview in the BBN studios. He and the others on the team explained why they'd come to Freetown, showing Christ's love to the people of Sierra Leone by encouraging the BBN staff and helping them to expand the ministry.

He also made time to give away a number of SonSet^® radios which enthusiastically received by the people, including a security guard at the team's temporary home. All smiles as Clukey returned that evening, the guard exclaimed, "I heard you! I listened to BBN on this little radio, and I heard you talking!"

Sources: HCJB Global, toysforgodskids.com

Director of Church & Donor Partnerships

Position Summary: The Director of Church & Donor Partnerships strengthens Reach Beyond’s ministry by cultivating purposeful, trust-based relationships with churches, pastors, donors, and mission-minded individuals. Serving as a storyteller, encourager, and connector, this role invites the Body of Christ to join in God’s mission to reach those with little or no access to the Gospel.

Working closely with the Mobilization and Development teams, this person helps raise up new workers, strengthen church partnerships, and resource strategic ministry initiatives—always with a posture of discernment, prayer, and long-term stewardship.

Location: Colorado Springs or remote

Employment Type: Full time with employer-paid benefits, including medical coverage, retirement plan, and paid time off.

What This Role Does (Core Responsibilities)

1. Church Partnership Development

This role serves as a relational bridge between Reach Beyond, churches, and missionaries.

The Director:

Maintains strong relationships with existing partner churches and develops 2–4 new church partnerships annually
Shares the vision of Reach Beyond, helping churches understand and engage with the needs of the unreached
Equips churches with resources that support missionaries and foster long-term, healthy partnerships
Collaborates closely with missionaries as they engage their sending and supporting churches

2. Donor Ministry & Stewardship

This role views donor relationships as ministry and discipleship, not transactions.

The Director:

Manages relationships with approximately 12 key donor accounts
Walks alongside donors with discernment—guiding them through education, cultivation, solicitation, and appreciation
Communicates clearly about ministry priorities, impact opportunities, and project funding goals
Maintains accurate, timely records in the donor management system to ensure thoughtful follow-up and accountability

3. Representation & Engagement

This role serves as a public voice and relational presence for Reach Beyond.

The Director:

Represents Reach Beyond at 3–5 regional or national events annually, with intentional follow-up for every connection
Communicates the story of God’s work in Reach Beyond through stage presentations, small groups, and media opportunities
Participates fully in staff meetings, chapels, retreats, and organizational prayer rhythms

4. Reporting, Collaboration & Administration

This role balances relational ministry with faithful stewardship and teamwork.

The Director:

Provides quarterly written reports tracking progress toward mobilization and development goals
Works closely with the Mobilization and Development Directors to align efforts and communicate organizational priorities
Upholds organizational policies and maintains healthy, proactive communication across teams

You must be authorized to work in the United States.

We participate in the federal E-Verify program. See more information at:

https://reachbeyond.org/e-verify-right-to-work.pdf
https://reachbeyond.org/e-verify-participation.pdf

Why Join Reach Beyond? At Reach Beyond, we cultivate a culture rooted in relationship, collaboration, and dependence on God. Our mission is to see unreached people transformed in Christ through media, healthcare, and community development. As the Director of Church & Donor Partnerships, you’ll play a vital role in advancing God's mission and have the opportunity to grow personally and professionally while making a lasting global impact.

All applicants must be able to sign the Reach Beyond Statement of Faith.

Apply Now: Join us in fulfilling God’s calling to bring hope and transformation to the unreached. Complete the application here. Contact [email protected] if you have questions.