U.K. Commercial Radio Group to Broadcast Titanic Easter Message

April 4, 2012

U.K. Commercial Radio Group to Broadcast Titanic Easter Message

April 4, 2012

(April 4, 2012) Sixteen commercial radio stations across the U.K. will broadcast an Easter Sunday message this weekend that coincides with the approaching 100th anniversary of the sinking of the Titanic.

"We all know of the inspirational image of 'the band that played on' as the Titanic sank," said William Rogers, chief executive of the UKRD Group, a British media company that owns the stations.

The "unsinkable" Titanic sank in the
early-morning hours of April 15, 1912.

"The band leader, Wallace Hartley, was a man of strong Christian values, and it seemed appropriate for us to reflect on the strength of his conviction as he went down with the ship, especially given the Christian message of Easter."

Survivors of the tragedy recall one of the musicians playing the 19th-century hymn, "Nearer, My God, to Thee," on his violin before slipping into the freezing-cold water.

Bandmaster
Wallace Hartley

In the radio feature, Whistling Frog Productions blended voices, music and an interview with Steve Turner who authored the book, The Band that Played On. The five-minute radio feature carries the same name as the book.

"Religion is fundamental to many radio listeners, yet commercial radio has all but forgotten its place in society despite consultants and senior programmers ramming home the message that we should reflect the lives of our listeners," said UKRD's program director, Phil Angell.

"Whistling Frog Productions has supplied what I can only describe as a 21st-century thought for the day," he added. "Despite my initial pessimism at the outset of this project, I must admit to having been proved wrong. They have done a cracking job even though I am not personally religious."

Bruce Gulland of
the HCJB Global-UK team produced the five-minute radio program.

Whistling Frog is HCJB Global-UK's radio team in Bradford, England. Chief Executive Colin Lowther said the staff is "delighted that the UKRD Group has opened up its airwaves to the Christian message this Easter."

"Our Titanic feature holds true to the way Jesus spoke to the crowds. It tells a story, it plants a seed and is entertaining besides," he said. "And with an audience of 80,000 listeners on Sunday, that's quite a crowd!"

The radio feature will air on all 16 UKRD stations on Sunday, April 8. At one of those stations-Star Radio in Cambridge and Ely-the dean of Ely Cathedral will give a special introduction to the piece.

A passenger liner built between 1909 and 1911, the Titanic sank in the Atlantic Ocean on April 15, 1912, after colliding with an iceberg about three hours earlier. The tragedy occurred during the Titanic's maiden voyage from Southampton to New York City, causing the deaths of 1,517 people. Another 706 people were rescued.

Download and listen to the program

Photo credit: www.titanicuniverse.com

Source: HCJB Global-UK

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.