JAARS Spreads the Word About Bible Translation and Waxhaw With Radio Programming
Public service programming heard on four Charlotte area stations
For more information, contact:
Arthur Lightbody
JAARS Media Relations Officer
1-704-843-6048
arthur_lightbody@sil.org
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
WAXHAW, N.C. — July 21, 2006 — JAARS began their ten minute weekly radio program Speeding the Word in December of 2003 to share how God is accomplishing His purposes in Bible translation. Originally called Waxhaw to the World, the newer name comes from JAARS’ tagline Speeding Bible translation for all people.
Host Arthur Lightbody interviews people working in various Bible translation ministries. They share personal stories of how God is using them to help bring God’s Word to people that do not have it in their own language.
In a past broadcast Nard Pugyao, now a JAARS pilot, told of the impact that the Scripture had on him in his heart language, a language called “Isnag” in the Northern Philippines. Pugyao said, “God’s Word penetrated my heart. I saw the power of the resurrection.”
Jo Shetler, Wycliffe translator, shared how her near death in a crash while flying in a Philippine government helicopter showed the Balangao people how to pray and trust God.
Many “ordinary” people tell their stories as well—JAARS volunteers, mission pilots, IT specialist, administrators, construction workers, truck drivers, media technicians and others—all of whom play crucial roles in making it possible for Wycliffe Bible Translators to serve in 1,294 language groups world wide.
Tom Gentry, general manager of MIX 106.1 FM and the Carolina Christian Radio Network, asked JAARS public relations officer Arthur Lightbody if JAARS could revive a community program that used to air on WNMX. JAARS agreed to provide ten minutes of programming about Bible translation and four minutes of public service announcements related to Waxhaw and Union County.
Recently Lightbody was joined by Caroline Hasty, Waxhaw’s event coordinator, to create a new format for the four minute Waxhaw public service program. Now a lively time of interaction about upcoming Waxhaw events with occasional guests, it takes its name “Our Town” from the theme song provided by local Waxhaw singer Chandler C. James.
Caroline Hasty, says, "We are grateful that the town of Waxhaw is being promoted with JAARS help on three stations in the Charlotte area. Waxhaw has a lot to offer and we want people to know about us!" WNMX provides other public service announcements for Waxhaw in addition to Speeding the Word and Our Town.
JAARS works alongside Wycliffe and other Bible translation agencies worldwide to provide quality technical support services and resources to speed Bible translation to the 2,529 language groups that have not even had a Bible translation program begun for them.
Speeding the Word and Our Town are broadcast in the Charlotte area on Sundays on WNMX 106.1 FM (6:40 a.m.), WHVN 1240 AM (10:02 a.m.), and WAVO 1150 AM (10:02 a.m.). In addition, WAGL 1560 AM in Lancaster carries Speeding the Word (12:00 p.m.).
Past broadcasts of Speeding the Word are available on www.jaars.org and the programs also available as a podcast subscription. To access as a podcast, enter this URL into your podcast receiver: http://www.jaars.org/rss/speedingtheword.xml.
Lightbody would like to see Speeding the Word broadcast across the United States. Stations in Texas and New Jersey are now airing the program and it is hoped more national exposure will follow.
Lightbody and his wife Kathleen served as Bible translators in the Philippines before returning to the United States where he served in administration and public relations with Wycliffe Bible Translators from 1990–1999. Lightbody has assisted in Speeding the Word communications and public relations at JAARS since 1999.
He can be reached concerning Speeding the Word at 1-704-843-6048 or by email: arthur_lightbody@sil.org.
To explore JAARS or Wycliffe further go to www.jaars.org or www.wycliffe.org.
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