NCC Radio Reach Positioned to Surge after Dedication
Radio ministry in the North Caribbean Conference (NCC) was formally re-launched during a community-wide, hybrid dedication service in St. Thomas, VI, on December 11, 2022.
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Radio ministry in the North Caribbean Conference (NCC) was formally re-launched during a community-wide, hybrid dedication service in St. Thomas, VI, on December 11, 2022. This successful, evangelistic ministry has been engaging the culturally diverse population of the ten-island NCC territory, through 10,000 watts of power from the WGOD (97.9 FM) Radio station.
Adventist World Radio (AWR) was integral to the expansion of this ministry and was delighted to collaborate with the conference at the dedication. The president of Adventist World Radio, Dwane McKey, and his wife, Kathy, traveled to St. Thomas to attend the historic service. Themed, From Vision to Victory, the celebration recognized those who contributed to the development of the station, including its original owner – Mr. Reynold Charles. Administrators and directors of the NCC swelled the ranks of attendees.
The NCC President, Pastor Desmond F. James, and Kathy McKey had the honor of cutting the ribbon; this was a ceremonial declaration that the radio station was ready to continue serving as a licensed entity in Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands – and beyond. WGOD (97.9 FM) Radio operates under the umbrella of North Caribbean Conference Broadcasting Corporation.
“This gospel cannot be blocked,” said Dwane McKey. “This gospel, through the means of radio, is going to the ends of the world. Let us work together to reach the people here in the Caribbean, for the Lord Jesus.”
The President of the Caribbean Union Conference, Dr. Kern Tobias, also shared congratulatory remarks. “This dedication ceremony speaks to your commitment of sharing the message of the Church to your community, as well as other communities,” he conveyed in a letter, read by the Communication Director of the Caribbean Union Conference, Pastor Royston Philbert, during the dedication ceremony. Pastor Philbert added, “We see how the radio must continue reinventing itself to expand its reach, to be innovative and to create more content adapted with new narratives, new technologies and new audiences – striving to adapt to a convergent ministry.”
During his commendation speech, Pastor Desmond James provided some historical highlights. He said, “At the beginning of January 2021, the North Caribbean Conference announced its ownership of WGOD (97.9 FM) Radio, and its intent to launch an enhanced radio ministry. After months of planning and upgrading [we, with the help of] Adventist World Radio … arrived at an agreement for the purchase of the radio station. This acquisition could not have come at a more opportune time, when the Church in the North Caribbean Conference is remodeling its media ministry to be more diverse, more inclusive, and more relevant as we give urgency to the proclamation of our message, and the powerful fulfillment of your mission.”
Early in 2022, Mr. Samuel Gregory Molyneux, Resource Engineer for AWR, traveled to St. Thomas to meet with Pastor Danhugh Gordon, WGOD Station Manager, and prepare for the dedication ceremony. Pastor Gordon and his team completed assessments, installed new equipment, remodeled the interior of the building and painted the exterior, and enhanced the visibility of the logo that branded the inauguration of WGOD (97.9 FM) Radio. A new antenna will be installed to maximize the reach of the station.
Pastor Jerry Languedoc, who leads St. Thomas, District #2, and his dynamic team planned and executed the dedication program; for many of these team leaders, this act of service was a personal statement of gratitude to a radio station which positively impacted their lives, over many years.
“The radio ministry is one of the strategic initiatives of the North Caribbean Conference. People here really want to hear from the Word of God. If we use radio, we can reach them,” said Pastor Wilmoth James, the NCC Executive Secretary and Chair of the NCC Strategic Planning Committee.
According to the NCC Communication Director, Pastor Leriano Webster, the station will offer local programs, 24 hours daily to the United States Virgin Islands, the British Virgin Islands, St. Maarten, St. Eustatius, Saba, and Anguilla.
In addition to a worldwide audience, the radio station will continue to serve approximately 250,000 people, spread across the geographic region of the NCC, including a SDA audience of about 16,000 members.