How can Elim be really good news through radio

How can Elim be really good news through radio

Gareth Cottrell explains how a radio station is growing the Kingdom

INTRO by Mark Greenwood, Director of Elim Evangelism
I spend a lot of time in my car and love listening to the radio. I am particularly happy as between digital radio and Apple Carplay (a way for connecting your iPhone to your car so you can use the apps, for those of you who don’t know) I can access a whole load of different media platforms. I often say, ‘If I had a brain, I’d be a geek’, as I really love all things tech and, probably even more true, all things gadget – but it has to be a useful gadget, right?

Have you heard of Konnect Radio? I was interviewed on it by presenter and good mate Steve Legg a number of years ago. It was fairly new at the time but I loved its ethos. More recently I have reconnected with Gareth Cottrell who I first met at UCB radio when he was one of the presenters there. Gareth set up Konnect Radio with a heart to reach those who don’t know Jesus. But here’s the uniqueness – it plays both Christian music and secular music but the secular music has been filtered. I love this ethos.

Whenever I hear ‘Thank You For Loving Me’ by Bon Jovi, I am immediately transported back to 2014, not the year the song was released but the time I got married, writes Gareth Cottrell.

It comes on the radio and it brings back so many memories. That is the universal power of music and the immediacy of radio, connecting me with the past. I guess I’m not alone in this. Music reminds us of the past and builds bridges in the present and is often the background to so much of our lives.

How can Elim churches be really good news through radio? By engaging with Konnect and its vision and the massive opportunities radio gives Christians in growing and witnessing. Konnect Radio provides Christians with daily opportunities to be encouraged in their walk with the Lord Jesus, to connect their faith to the 24/7 everydayness of life and provides a confident, professional platform to share their faith with others.

Radio is a uniquely powerful medium because it’s often always on. At home, in the car, sometimes even at work. It brings a soundtrack to many people’s everyday lives. The third quarter of 2022 saw 49.7 million adults, that is 89 per cent of the adult (15+) population of the UK, tune into their selected radio stations each week. Forty-one million adults, which is 74 per cent of the UK population, do this via a digitally enabled platform, according to figures from RAJAR (Radio Joint Audio Research).

Imagine how that can enable our evangelism and witness.

Konnect Radio provides an exciting platform that connects individuals and families through a powerful blend of Christian and mainstream music along with family friendly, Bible-based content. Konnect extends the good news of the gospel into my daily life and routines and provides me with an opportunity to both connect with God beyond the Sunday walls of church and to connect with friends and family who might not be Christians.

Through encouraging others to enjoy listening to Konnect I am provided with a personal opportunity to both hear and share stories of what God is doing through a professionally produced blend of music and content.

Konnect can give me confidence in sharing my faith through the universal language of music, building bridges between generations, cultures and backgrounds. For the church, such a platform grows confidence in Christians, roots my faith in everyday life and provides natural talking points with those who might be listening with me whether at home, work or play!

At Konnect, we are dedicated to enabling the church’s witness, encouraging people, inspiring hearts and fostering a sense of community. The power and reach of radio provide the church and individual Christians with this opportunity. We promote the gospel and glorify Jesus with positive, safe, family friendly, 100 per cent clean, contemporary content with added fun, laughter and great music.

Pray for us, listen to us, share the station with others and engage with us in a way which grows the Kingdom.

Gareth Cottrell is the founder of Konnect Radio and the station’s breakfast show presenter.

OUTRO
So, here’s a thought – if you can, why not play Konnect Radio when you are in charge of the music! In the office, in the car, at home or whenever you are having a summer barbie.

Pray that God speaks to those unbelievers who listen to it. Pray the lyrics lead to conversations about faith with your friends and colleagues. To find out more about Konnect Radio visit konnectradio.com.

I will be doing some stuff with them over the coming year so keep an eye out for that, too.

This article first appeared in Direction Magazine. For further details, please click here.