Thank You, WMCU

This news will hit the Chrisitan Community in Miami Wednesday, but it's public knowledge in the webosphere...

WMCU (aka SpiritFM) has been sold. SpiritFM has served as a Pop/Contemporary music station in the Miami area for longer than I can remember. And now a staple, a voice that aimed to strengthen it's listeners for the Cause of Christ... is being silenced.

According to reports, WMCU was purchased for $20 million... sold to American Public Media Group. Instead of Christian Radio, APMG will be broadcasting classical music.

Wow. Classical. Really?

As a supporter of WMCU Radio, I will miss the Christian influence that it brought to South Florida. Thank you for investing into the community. Those of you that worked at the station, may God open doors for you and continue to guide your paths.

For more information, check out APMG's Press Release online.

For those of you that were supporters of Christian Radio in Miami, may I recommend 91.9 CallFM? While CallFM may be "slightly more edgy" than WMCU, I think you'll find the staff hugely evangelic, driven to reach the younger generations with the message of Christ! So, while you're going through SpiritFM withdrawls in the coming weeks, turn the dial to 91.9fm and give it a try.

Thank You, WMCU, for your efforts in South Florida. You will be sorely missed.

Steadfast in Christ,

Jeff Reed
The Living Word Christian Bookstore

Comments

[Mike Spear]

Wow. This is a shocker. I don't think I could have ever seen this coming. They have made a huge impact. I'm going to miss listening to Adventures in Odyssey at night.

[ttm]

It is a shocker and a will begin a time of mourning for some. Are you stocking up on CDs by contemporary-but-not-too-edgy artists, Jeff? Now there might be even more of a demand...Ah, the sweet, sweet KACHING of the cash register! ;^)

[Jorge Escala]

I am unbelievably saddened by this news. I have been a loyal listener of WMCU since I found Christ in 1991. My prayers go out to all those who were a part of this ministry and to all those who will miss this "voice calling out in the desert."

[Eddy]

I was shocked then sad then mad then tremendously guilty. I took them for granted. Maybe if I would have participated in the multiple share-a-thons this would not have happened? I don't know. I will give that other station a chance but not right away. I gotta get over this first.

[Eddy]

Jeff you can edit this into one post if you want. I just read the press release from APMG:

WMCU is the foundation's only station. Spokesman Gary Cantwell says the foundation board regularly received offers for the radio station, which reaches about 150,000 listeners a week. Cantwell says Trinity did not sell WMCU because of financial duress.

"It's not to solve a problem, but it's an opportunity for us," he said. "We haven't decided what to do with the funds yet. But the funds will serve to expand and strengthen the educational mission of Trinity University. We feel like we play a significant role to what God is doing globally, and these funds will help us do that better."

They sold this just to get money so they can then figure out what to do with it? Is it me or is that "let your will be done" part getting skipped here?

[Distressed]

I am absolutely grieving now for the loss of WMCU. I am angry because it appears as though the Board members did not consider the staff or the many listeners when they made the decision to sell. This station helped bring youth groups, churches, and families together with their many contests and events. I feel it was disrespectful for them to decide to sell without even allowing the listeners (who also contributed time, prayers, and monies) to give their input. Maybe there was something we could have done if we knew ahead of time that this was going to happen. I'm really hurting for the staff and all the listeners who relied on WMCU to keep them spiritually connected in a dark and perverse world. We must pray. There is a hotline number where you can call and express your concern and how this decision has affected you, 1-877-634-6371. Let your voice be heard.

[Harry Chadderton]

I have listened to WMCU for over 30 years and I feel as though I have lost a dear friend. What hurts me the most is Trinty's callus disregard for the folks in South Florida who will never get another Christian raido station of this strength and quality. In today's world it will be impossible for another group to start up a similar station. Aside from the cost, there are no frequencies availble. Trintiy claims they have a Mission, but they don't mind abandoning 2 million people with no effective Christian radio. I know there are other Christian stations, and I pray they can take up some of the slack. But none have the power and coverage of WMCU. I appreciate Call FM, but frankly I can't understand most of what is being said. When listening to Christian music or talk, I want to hear and understand it.

[Tina]

In order to write this I have to move aside the thoughts of disrespect, deregard, and blatant un-Christian-like decisions that have been made here. Correct me if I'm wrong but wasn't it a "listener supported" station? That being said, this past year was one of their best, highest yielding $$ of "donated" support from the listeners. They purchased all the new equipment, new towers, new computers, etc. they needed to continue their "Ministry". How does someone sell a
Ministry? How many "pastors, ministers, couselors, etc." can they go on to educate to "spread the word globally" and have a "greater impact" than what they did here in So. Florida for the past 37 years? Don't those "pastors, ministers, counselors, etc. have to pay for their education at Trinity Int'l University first in order to be educated and go out to the ends of the earth to spread the gospel? So where is all of this $20 Million going to go? AND Why wasn't it a greater responsibility to spiritually equip the financial supporters of the station, their listening audience. I've volunteered & worked Share-a-thons, supported the station financially and became friends with staff members and I can't help but feel cheated and disillusioned. The foundation Board members should be ashamed of the manner in which they have handled this. One day the personalities are on the air, the next day they only have recorded "good-byes"? For a week we listen to music only where they could have still been working? They are devasted, we are devasted and this is a huge loss for the Kingdom. I expect more from a Christian organization and they should be held to higher standards. Unfortuantely, they have fallen short of even secular organizations and the handling of transitions such as this. How sad. I wish I could understand the lyrics of the music that's played on the call.

[Anonymous]

This goes far deeper than people realize. You need only look at what happened with other church college stations WCAL (MN) and WGTS (MD/DC) to see a pattern developing...

http://SaveWCAL.LiveJournal.com
http://www.SaveWGTS.com

[Peter Martin]

Sunday, September 30, 2007. It was midnight . . there was a heartfelt prayer . . then a song about forever friends . . then a deafening silence, and the light of the gospel as broadcast for 37 years on WMCU was silenced. Sure, the funds will be put to use in ministry in other ways; however, I can't help but feel there was laughter in the halls of hell because one more voice for the message of the gospel in So Fla is no more.

[Louise Rodriguez]

As a listener and supporter of WMCU I would first like to thank all of those who made WMCU the beacon of God's shining light that was this station. You were with me from the first step I took as a Christian. I am eternally greatful. I am truly pained by the decision taken by Trinity to abandon the people of South Florida. The souls reached on a daily basis by this station have been left to flounder. It seems that we have no recourse with regards to their decision and now must offer it up to the Lord to handle. I pray for the people at Trinity who had a part in this decision.

[Christine Karas]

What a sad day in Miami when our King's voice has been silenced in favor of bowing to the Almighty dollar. TIU should be ashamed of the revelation that comes forth from this sale. In this battle for the airwaves we have been hit with a nuclear bomb. Our city invaded and taken over by the enemy with "friendly fire". And somehow the board justifies this sell out as "an opportunity to spread the gospel". Who are they kidding? Not I, for one. It's obvious that they have no real plans for this money they have sold us out for. Are they going to make tuition free? I highly doubt it. They should put this money where their mouth is and provide free tuition to anyone commiting to the mission field or to pastoring. That could be the only responsible way to deal with this windfall of "blood money". Only God knows the souls lost by pulling the plug on God's voice here in Miami. May God raise up a faithful army committed to our city and to the King's message in the next station in Miami.

[Perci]

This may clear things up a bit. At least the staff was taken care of. I received this letter from TIU:

Dear partners in ministry,

Thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts with us on the Spirit FM
web site. We are encouraged to hear how God has greatly blessed so many lives
through the ministry of Spirit FM. It comes as no surprise, therefore, that
some reactions have been strong in response to the announcement to sell Spirit
FM. We respect your comments and are addressing in this email the principal
concerns expressed.

In recent years, Trinity International University received several unsolicited
offers to buy the radio station. As a result of these offers and in order to
fulfill their fiduciary responsibility, the Board of Regents engaged a brokerage
firm in 2006. The broker began a process of assessing the value of the station
and determining the level of interest in the market. This process was a quiet
one because the outcome was uncertain and we did not want to interrupt the radio
ministry of Spirit FM. We saw no wisdom in making this professional inquiry
public and thereby open the door to questions the station staff could not answer
about a topic under exploration by the board.

We are extremely grateful to the thousands of listeners who have supported
Spirit FM financially and in prayer for so many years. We believe that God
places people in leadership in specific situations at specific times. Those
leaders are sometimes called upon to make tough decisions. Trinity’s board takes
seriously its responsibility as stewards of the resources of Trinity
International University and approached this decision with much deliberation and
prayer. In the end the board believed, before God, that this was the best
decision.

Many of the matters involved in the board’s inquiry and ultimate decision are
sensitive and confidential. However, we do want you to know that our desire was
to sell to a Christian organization, and we attempted without success to do so
with several different organizations.

A significant portion of the proceeds will be
placed in the TIU endowment. The endowment is like a long-term savings account
that cannot be spent without action from the board. The annual interest from
endowment will be used to further the mission of the university. Trinity
College, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, Trinity Graduate School, and
Trinity Law School make a huge impact on our culture for Christ. The board’s
vision is to do more through the educational programs these schools offer,
including our programs in South Florida.

We believe that we are blessed with some of the most talented radio staff in the
nation. These faithful servants were informed of the process several weeks
prior to the signing of the Purchase Agreement on September 24, 2007. In spite
of this news, they continued to minister in a professional and effective manner.
After September 24 all parties agreed that it would be impossible for the Spirit
FM staff to continue their on-air duties as usual. Generous severance and
placement assistance for
the staff are being provided.

We ask you to join us in prayer that:

1. The sovereign Lord will pour out His Spirit on South Florida in order to
fill any void that may be left by closing Spirit FM
2. A strengthened unity in Christ will be demonstrated among churches and
believers with a shared purpose of reaching the lost in South Florida
3. The staff of Spirit FM will be sustained by God’s grace as they seek the
Lord’s will for future ministry.

One of the listeners responded as follows:

"...I am encouraged in my heart to pray for your ministry as a Christian entity
of education. I pray that the next Billy Graham will come from your school. I
pray that the seed that is now being sowed with tears by our community grows and
develops into a life-giving tree that will touch, not just the thousands the
radio touched here in South Florida, but the millions that are hungry and in
need of the love of God."

We join in these sentiments with this listener and ask you to join us in this
prayer.

Seeking God in all things,

Trinity International Foundation Board

[50cent]

If the board member have any dignity a protion of the monies raised during this year's "Share-a-Thon' should be refunded back to the listerners who faithfully gave. As a sign of respect to the 'few' that were actually supporting the station and its' so-called needs.

I'll miss MCU. The next best station is not up the dial , but down: WRMB. WRMB has a softer edge and plays tune that really touch the soul.

[John Svadbik]

If you disagree with Trinity's selling WMCU and want to help get it back see: WMCU-FM.COM

[Stan Goldenberg]

For those who do not know -- there is a strong effort now to SAVE WMCU. Go to the website -- SaveWMCU897.org
Please fill in the contact form so we can reach you of progress. PLEASE tell everyone you know about the site. We called a day of prayer and fasting on Oct. 4th, and saw God begin to move in very special ways. The website will fill you in on the details. As for the form letter from TIU that was shared by someone on this page -- it is a travesty when you really learm what happened. Yes -- they gave their staff generous severance pay -- by them signing an agreement with gag orders. The staff is afraid to say anything about this. Most of them are VERY upset.
By the way, I know there are other Christian stations in the area, but 1) most cannot reach some of the areas that WMCU reached and 2) each station is unique in its vision and format. May God bless and help other stations carrying the gospel, but to exchange WMCU -- which was the 10th largest Christian station in the U.S. -- for a secular classical station (with liberal news) is not what we should support.
The station here was totally solvent, AS WAS TIU! TIU would not let our community know about this. We would have rallied and bought the station. Anyway, please go to SaveWMCU897.org for additional info and PRAY!

[Yesenia Bunting]

I moved from miami in August of 07. I now live in South Carolina and have returned home to visit on several occassions only to find that the station that helped keep me sane was not on the air. I was very troubled at first and could not even imagine why wmcu was no longer there. I am just now finding out what really happened and let me just say to TIU that I am one of the manic depressants who was saved daily by wmcu. I am no longer there but I am deeply saddened and even angry just to know that all of my friends who are and have been deeply lost in their ways will not have the opportunity that I had, to find truth, real real love and understanding through the powerful yet beautiful voices broadcasted daily on wmcu. I really wish that I did not have to say this but I must be true to my heart and TIU is never going to reach or teach at the level that wmcu did. No matter how many pastors, missionaries, etc. etc. they send out they could never go in to my bedroom at night when I wanted to kill myself and speak life to me! I hope that all who took part in this decision read my note so that they can see and know the extent of the decision they made.

[paul]

i miss you sprit fm god be with you all thanks for the work you did