Radio broadcast gets church’s message out

Published 10:19 pm Friday, January 18, 2008

SMOKEY POINT — For The Point church, the Great Commission isn’t just a suggestion, it’s marching orders.

The Point opened in 2004 with 75 people and a desire to make real Christ’s instruction to spread the word to all people. Today they are a growing congregation of 300, print 3,000 copies of their own newspaper, and produce a weekly radio show on KGNW-AM that has listeners as far south as Salem, Ore.

Pastor Mike Zachman characterizes their investment of time, talent and prayer into media as a “one, two punch.”

“We have two goals: To get the truth out to God’s people and to reach as many people in our community as possible,” Zachman said.

The Point is just one more church that’s using new forms of media to get out the good news. So far, the effort seems to be paying off; people have responded to both the radio show and the newspaper, locally and regionally.

“It’s nice to have people come up to you and say, ‘I heard you on the radio,’” Zachman said. “But what’s even more important is that we are reaching people who would otherwise not be able to hear us.”

Since starting the radio ministry two years ago, they have seen support grow. There was even a $10,000 gift donated to the church for the express purpose of helping the radio ministry.

“What made it amazing is that he’s not even a member of our church, he’s just a listener,” Zachman said.

The radio ministry is still looking for more financial backing, hoping to form relationships with corporate sponsors.

Even without the radio show or the newspaper, The Point members have been keeping up with their own share of good works. They regularly feed the homeless and minister to inmates at the Snohomish County Jail.

“Getting out there in the community is about getting unconnected people connected with Jesus Christ,” Zachman said. “The bottom line is that our radio ministry doesn’t mean anything unless people come to Christ.”

The Point Church

Sunday services 9 and 11 a.m. at Pioneer Elementary, 8213 Eaglefield Drive, Arlington.

For more information, call 360-435-1616 or visit www.thepointchurch.net.

Life Point Radio can be heard Sundays 11 a.m. to noon on 820 AM or www.lifepointradio.com.