A Lifetime of The Positive Difference

My mother sat in her dorm room at John Brown University when she tuned in to KLRC for the first time. It was fall of 1983, and KLRC had just signed-on the air that September at 90.3FM.  The station only reached as far as campus, but it created such a buzz that everyone was thrilled.

Life continued. She graduated college and moved back to her home state of Kansas, met and married my dad, and had me and my big sister. During that time, KLRC's life continued as well, with a team forming, a funding base beginning, and a stronger signal finally reaching beyond campus borders touching more people in Northwest Arkansas.

In 1996, my dad accepted a job at JBU and my mom returned to Siloam Springs once more, this time with a husband and two young daughters in tow. One day while exploring campus, my dad pointed out a large glass window that was part of the LRC building. He told me that the music we heard on KLRC came from that exact room. My wide eyes tried to comprehend how it worked, but from then on it became routine to stop and stare through that window every time we walked by, peering into the small room where metal racks, a single chair, and that glowing microphone sat. I would wave insanely if I saw anyone at the mic, who would graciously wave back at me if they dared catch a glimpse mid-sentence. I think Mom was just as enthusiastic, albeit without the wild waving of arms, to see how much the station had grown in just 13 years. In Kansas, my parents supported the start of a Christian radio station, and they were delighted that in Arkansas they could continue supporting Christian radio by giving regularly to KLRC. I was just 2 years old when they started giving.

We tuned in to KLRC constantly. If a new song debuted, our family was quick to learn and love what we heard. My mom hummed along to Twila Paris hits, Dad would see how many DC Talk lyrics his daughters could memorized, and my sister and I played “Radio DJ” on our two-way walkie talkies pretending we were hosting a KLRC show. Mom and Dad always joked, “You’re so lucky to have parents like us!” when a song like Big House by Audio Adrenaline aired and they would willingly do the hand motions with us. Through the years, KLRC wasn’t just my “parent’s music” or the “kid’s music,” but it was our music as a family. The edifying messages of the station, rooted in truths of Jesus, reached beyond generational lines. By faithfully giving, my parents were a part of the impact not just under their roof, but under the roofs of hundreds of families in the area.

As I got older, I continued to see KLRC grow, sometimes hands on! One of my friends had a mom who worked at the station, and she made it possible for us to volunteer at concerts, community events, and the annual Shareathon fundraiser. One birthday I won the gift card for the daily Birthday Bash drawing, and I even did my middle school job shadowing project at the station (where Josh Bentley let me speak live on air and I forgot my age because I was so nervous). In front and behind the scenes, I saw the KLRC family pray with others, show the love of Christ to all, and give back to the community in more ways than I can count.

But also as I grew older, I started listening to more and more pop radio. Eventually it became all I listened to. Through high school and into college, I saw KLRC grow but didn’t listen much. It wasn’t until I was a JBU sophomore driving on the highway that I felt a little nudge I think was from Holy Spirit. “It’s time to start listening to KLRC again.” It was a strange urge, but when I reached my destination, I programmed 90.9 KLRC to be the first station that played in my car. Over a week, I noticed a complete attitude shift: I was less moody, less selfish, and quicker to talk to God. I was literally smiling more and felt a bit more relaxed. I was praying for wisdom and guidance instead of praying for easy answers. I realized this was all because my background music had changed to the Positive Difference, and I was seeing that difference firsthand! My fascination with KLRC was kindled once again, and the Lord used that to deepen my relationship with Him.

And life continued. I graduated college and got married to my husband, and our desire to give back to KLRC began to grow. We realized that God was using KLRC to be His voice in places where we couldn’t go, but the radio could. We may not have been physically able to cheer on every person on their drive to work or comfort a friend the moment they got rough news, but God has used KLRC to meet people right where they are with messages of hope rooted in Him! In my 28 years of listening, I could check off the numerous times God used the radio host or a song to bring me peace or laughter at just the right time. And so in 2016, my husband and I began financially supporting KLRC just like my parents continue to do, knowing that because of generous listeners like them, my life was forever changed. That's also why being the host of Sunday Morning Worship at KLRC is so special to me: when I sit in that chair and speak into that microphone, I pray that I too will be used by God to meet people with the right words and the right song at the right time, just like I experienced growing up.

The hosts and the music have changed in 40 years, but one thing remains the same: KLRC has always aimed to share hope in Christ through media with as many people as possible. We praise God that for 40 years He has moved the hearts of those tuning in to financially support KLRC, and it is by His grace and His guidance that we still stand today. Even in 1990 when KLRC had only $1,200 left in operating funds, God touched over 100 listeners to call into the station saying they wanted to help keep KLRC on the air. And today, we are still listener-supported.

40 years has yielded results only God could have imagined for KLRC, from streaming on apps to podcasts reaching 50+ countries, and it is because of the prayerful obedience of listeners to give when God has nudged them to. I pray that you will join my family in giving what God puts on your heart, so that the next generation may marvel at what He has done in 40 more years at the Positive Difference.

-Andrea, Sundays on KLRC