WELCOME TO THE SaveWMCU.com Homepage
TO SAVE A LIFE -- PLAYING NOW THROUGH MARCH 11th (In Miami ONLY AT AMC SUNSET PLACE 24) -- A powerful Christian film for youth and the adults who care about them! Go to tosavealifemovie.com for more info.
LAST UPDATED March 5th, 2010.
IT HAS BEEN OVER 28 MONTHS SINCE WMCU (89.7 Spirit FM) WENT OFF THE AIR!! BUT NOW WE HAVE A NEW STATION IN TOWN!!!! READ ON FOR THE NEWS!
****HERE IS THE SPECIAL SAVEWMCU UPDATE!!! EXCITING NEWS!!! (I do not have time to edit everything on the site right now, but the following is the latest info about our NEW Christian FM station that started airing in Miami March 1st!)
THE BIG ANNOUNCEMENT -- IT HAS HAPPENED!!!! SaveWMCU Update 2/15/10
It is hard to contain my excitement at what I am about to write here. (please excuse any typos, etc.)
THIS IS THE NEWS WE HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR, PRAYING FOR, GIVING FOR, FASTING FOR --- Get on your dancing shoes and get ready to blow the trumpet an spread the news! Glory to God in the highest!
Let me start off with a very appropriate Psalm:
Psalm 126:1 A Song of degrees. When the LORD turned again the captivity of Zion, we were like them that dream.
2 Then was our mouth filled with laughter, and our tongue with singing: then said they among the heathen, The LORD hath done great things for them.
3 The LORD hath done great things for us; whereof we are glad.
4 Turn again our captivity, O LORD, as the streams in the south.
5 They that sow in tears shall reap in joy.
6 He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.
As many of you have been reading, there has been a deal brewing for several months now that I had been made aware of and asked you to lift up in prayer and fasting. A HIGH-POWER FM station was up for sale and several Christian groups were bidding for it. Of course there was the concern that a secular group might move in to take it, but thankfully it looks like this Christian (currently Spanish) station decided they were going to sell it to a Christian group, rather than solicit higher prices from secular groups (as TIU did in the sale of WMCU).
Well, I was called Saturday night with the exciting news that:
MARCH 1st -- LIVE-FM, 90.9 FM (think 9 gifts and 9 fruits of the Spirit -- 90.9) a 24/7, non-commercial full power (100,000 Watts) ENGLISH Christian station went on the air!
YES!!! IT HAS HAPPENED!!
II Cor. 2:14 Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest the savour of his knowledge by us in every place. (I look at the radio broadcasts as an aroma that will spread in our area by radio and around the world via the internet!)
I know many of you have lots of questions so I will answer a few of them here and make some comments.
1) Realize that the initial goal of SaveWMCU was to somehow overturn the sale of 89.7 and somehow get back WMCU. (PLEASE, for the umpteenth time -- realize that 1080AM now called WMCU, though it is a fine commercial Christian station blessing our community, has NOTHING to do with the old Spirit-FM WMCU.) HOWEVER, the eventual goal was to keep praying, fasting, working till Miami has some sort of 24/7, non-commercial full power ENGLISH Christian station at least similar in format to WMCU back on the air. LIFE-FM is certainly an answer to those prayers!
2) We will not be upset if eventually we see even more stations here. Realize that most major US cities have at least several 24/7 Christian stations. I believe we can keep praying to see even more here as well.
3) I personally am grateful for the other stations we do have here --- such as 1080AM (WMCU), 89.3 FM (WRMB) and 90.3 FM (WAFG) -- both of which are weak in Dade county (especially South Dade) and yet I tuned in when I could and appreciated them, 91.9 FM (The CALL) -- which has just GREATLY enhanced its signal to reach many more people (it is primarily a youth-oriented station (though I found out that the Seniors Pastor at our church does listen to it!) but was widely listened to even when WMCU had been on the air), and others (we still have a list on the SaveWMCU.com site) -- HOWEVER, none of these have filled the void left by the loss of WMCU 89.7 -- that is -- a full power signal for MIAMI, with a combination of music and lot of teaching programs, 24/7, COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS (I really look forward to those again here), etc. Also, no matter how many stations we get here, they complement each other --- there are usually different programs (or different times they air), music and other features. I am sure that even after LIFE-FM comes on the air, I will continue to still listen to (and support) these other stations from time to time.
4) You can even listen online. Just go to their website: 909lifefm.com
5) The buyer was Calvary Kendall (Sr. Pastor Pedro Garcia). He invited me to come this weekend to hear the big announcement and publicly acknowledged the efforts and prayers of our SaveWMCU group. In the natural, we had nothing to do with the actual sale, but spiritually, through our prayers and fastings, and believe God gave us the privilege of having a tremendous part. (PLUS -- we now have the privilege to SPREAD THE NEWS to as many people and churches as quickly as possible.) His message from Sunday is posted online and WELL WORTH HEARING. He basically built his whole message around the announcement of LIFE-FM. (He had told his congregation a week before that a big announcement was coming and they had NO CLUE what it was going to be.) Go to calvarykendall.com and click on the message (on the right) HOW TO RESPOND TO A NO FROM GOD. I URGE YOU TO TAKE THE TIME TO LISTEN TO IT!!! (It is really a good message!) You will be blessed as you hear his heart an vision for this as well as his brokenness and humility. (I do not know if it comes through in the audio -- but he was on the verge of tears many times during the message.) calvarykendall.com
6) Programming -- basically the format will be similar to the former WMCU (and stations like WRMB, WAFG, etc.). of course it will have a unique flavor and the programming and schedule will take a while to evolve into its somewhat long-term form. In the message, you will hear a list of programs he already has scheduled. Also, many of your questions will be answered by the message as he makes the announcement and shares the vision at the end.
7) A FAMILIAR VOICE RETURNED TO CHRISTIAN FM RADIO MARCH 1st. Our dear DONNA JEAN was hired as one of the hosts for LIFE-FM (90.9)! Most of you knew her as the news and community bulletin board person (though of course she did much more than those things). It will be exciting to hear her voice brighten up the Christian FM airways once again! Also, they hired Merryann Padrone, the former station manager of WMCU.
8) YOUR Suggestions/Comments -- CONTACT INFO FOR LIFE-FM:
they already have a twitter account at: twitter.com/lifefmradio
and a website (please visit --- it has a counter) 909lifefm.com
And they have a FACEBOOK PAGE: LIFEFMFB.com
Plus you can email them at: infocenter@909lifefm.com
I want to encourage you to pray about letters to them of congratulations and support, and suggestions (like mentioning what you liked the best and least about the old WMCU and what you would like to see included in the new station -- obviously they cannot implement all of the suggestions, but I think they will appreciate the constructive comments), and even early financial pledges as you feel led.
8) WE NEED YOUR HELP TO SPREAD THE WORD!!!! PLEASE SOUND THE TRUMPET --- start calling people, send emails, put the news on FACEBOOK, spread the word any way you can. BE SURE TO CALL YOUR PASTORS and ask them to make an announcement and get it into your church bulletin, have posters made up for your church and other places. SOON -- they will produce bumper stickers and I will pass along the news of how to get them. Bumper stickers are an awesome way to spread the word at a minimal cost. THIS IS EXCITING NEWS! LET US SPREAD THE WORD. As Ps. 68:11 states: The Lord gave the word: great was the company of those that published it!
9) LET US CONTINUE TO PRAY AND FAST!!! (The next corporate fast is Thursday March 11th. Also, some of you can consider fasting on March 1st --- the first day that LIFE-FM airs.) Now one of the main requests should be for this new station -- that God would lead them and guide them, provide funds for operations, spread the word about it, and use it to touch many lives!!!
10) THANK YOU -- THANK YOU!!!! To those of you who have helped this effort in so many ways (even as simple as reading these updates and staying informed) through the years! It has all been worth it!
JAMES 5:16b: The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much!
May His richest blessings be yours!!!
Shalom in Jesus our Messiah and Lord and King!
Stan savewmcu897@bellsouth.net
P.S. Please allow me to mention that there are still some unreimbursed expenses from the SaveWMCU effort. These are only on the order of several thousand dollars (I would have to check for the exact amount). Please prayerfully consider contributing towards that need. We have no new expenses as God blessed us with the website (for almost the last year) at NO COST (just the small costs of renewing the domain names). ANY CONTRIBUTIONS THAT ARE ABOVE THE NEED WILL BE DONATED TOWARDS LIFE-FM! To contribute, just click on the DONATING TO SAVEWMCU link. Of course, more important, is we need to all be praying how God wants us to support this NEW station -- in prayers, volunteer efforts, spreading the word (probably the MOST important thing for now besides prayer) and finances. (And remember to support the other stations you have been listening to as well.)
NOTE THAT MUCH OF THE FOLLOWING NEEDS TO BE UPDATED....
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***PLEASE SIGN UP FOR E-MAIL UPDATES***
****Please consider filling out the pop-up window that shows when you come to this site -- or go to the CONTACT US link. By giving us this info (e-mail, etc.), we can send you e-mail updates regarding important timely news about this situation. (The e-mail list will not be used for ANY other purpose other than the "Save WMCU" effort.) Many things are happening with very short notice, and our most effective way to communicate with everyone who wants to stay informed about our efforts is to send out group e-mails. PLEASE encourage everyone you know to also fill out the CONTACT FORM. (Sometimes it helps to take their info and do it for them!)
NEXT COMMUNITY FAST THURSDAY March 11th.
Many thanks to those who have participated in these fasts. We have been doing them every other Thursday since the station went off the air. WE CANNOT EMPHASIZE ENOUGH THE IMPORTANCE OF THESE DAYS OF COMMUNITY FASTING. We believe they have been very instrumental in some of the guidance and breakthroughs we have seen.
Please take a few minutes to read the FASTING INFO link for a description and focus for the fast. Fasting is a Scriptural way to HUMBLE OURSELVES and SEEK GOD'S GRACE! (Ps. 35:13, I Pet. 5:5b) This battle is first and foremost a SPIRITUAL BATTLE! **For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.** (Eph. 6:12 -- see also vs. 10-18) PLEASE PRAY ESPECIALLY FOR THE ongoing investigation by the Florida Attornet General and for efforts to acqure other frequencies (see above).
REVIEW OF CURRENT STATUS OF FIGHT TO RESTORE WMCU:
FCC Rejected our Petition and allowed sale of WMCU (89.7FM) to be finalized. But the fight is continuing on other fronts.
On March 12th, the FCC issued their decision to reject the Petition To Deny the transfer of license for 89.7 FM from TIU to MPR. This decision allowed the sale of WMCU (now called WKCP) to be finalized. Please note that we are in the process of revising a number of items on our website to reflect the new situation.
Note, however, that the battle is not over. Without our efforts through the petitions and letters to the FCC, the sale would have been finalized very quickly. Of course, we were hoping and praying that the FCC would hold a formal hearing and rule in our favor to block the sale. But, if that did not happen, we were hoping that our actions would at least DELAY the sale from being finalized as long as possible. Even a few months would have been helpful and allow us to explore other options. Thankfully, the delay was 5 1/2 months.
WHAT ARE WE DOING NOW?
There are people investigating other venues -- such as buying another frequency, strengthening the signals from some other Christian stations (such as WRMB, WAFG, ReachFM, etc,), etc. PLEASE hold these people up in prayer for wisdom, guidance & provision.
Also, a lawsuit was filed by people associated with CFC (not SaveWMCU.com) against the sale. This lawsuit went into the Federal courts. I don't exactly understand the language to use here, but it was basically dismissed and yet they are being allowed to reshape their case and file it again. For additional details -- please go to the CFC website (click here) We also learned that we needed to take this battle to the Bill McCollum, the Attorney General of Florida. This was indicated somewhat in the dealings with the FCC, where it was stated that it was not in their jurisdiction to rule on certain areas and that these things needed to be dealt with on a state level. Primarily, the issue of possible violation of Charitable trust laws -- that funds given for one purpose were diverted for something totally different. THEREFORE -- we asked people to contact the Florida Attorney General's office to request that they intervene. IN RESPONSE TO THE LETTERS AND E-MAILS PEOPLE SENT -- THAT OFFICE IS NOW ACTIVELY INVESTIGATING THE SALE OF WMCU! We also did one additoonal appeal before the FCC (on April 11th) but that was also rejected.
Some might say that according to Scripture, one should not bring lawsuits against other Christians. However, people should be aware that TIU (or TIF) affiliated themselves with MPR for the purpose of the sale. Thus in a sense, the lawsuit is not dealing with a Christian organization but with a secular group. Also, it is totally in the jurisdiction (and RESPONSIBILITY) of the office of the Attorney General of the State of Florida to investigate matters like this to protect the interest of the citizens of our state.
Further info on this and updates will be available soon.
PLEASE CHECK THE LIST OF SUGGESTED ACTION ITEMS (What can I do to help?) AT THE END OF THE FAQ link.
It has now been almost ONE YEAR since the Christian lighthouse -- WMCU 89.7 Spirit-FM was SILENCED! If this had not taken place, right now -- 24/7 -- WMCU would be playing its Christian programming and Christian music glorifying our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ to reach the lost and to teach and encourage believers! MPR is now using 89.7 FM (now called WKCP) to broadcast a secular message.
Have a question, we may have answered it on our FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) PAGE! This is an excellent resource for you and others to find out more details about what happened to WMCU and what we are doing about it!
DON'T FORGET TO CHECK OUT YOUR COMMUNITY EVENTS LINK , FOR ANY UPCOMING EVENTS IN THE SOUTH FLORIDA AREA. (NOT CURRENTLY ACTIVE)
PLEASE NOTE -- 1080AM is now calling themselves the "NEW" WMCU. Why? Check out our
FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions), as well as the
CHRISTIAN STATIONS link for more info.
COMMUNITY EVENTS & CALENDAR NOW AVAILABLE!
(NOTE THAT THIS IS NOT CURRENTLY BEING UPDATED. WE HOPE TO RESTORE THAT IN THE FUTURE)
NOTE THE LINK FOR THE SAVEWMCU COMMUNITY EVENTS/CALENDAR. Check it now to stay informed. This was a special feature from WMCU Spirit-FM that was greatly missed. We are now accepting announcements. If you have a special event that you would like us to post on our calendar, e-mail it to us at:
savewmcu897@bellsouth.net.
(PLEASE put the words COMMUNITY CALENDAR in the subject line!) See the
COMMUNITY EVENTS page for additional instructions.
Please spread the word about this free feature to others.
Dr. Larry Poland Letter and Good News article on WMCU available online
Please read the important Open Letter from Dr. Larry Poland, the founder of WMCU, regarding the situation. Also, the Nov. 1st issue of Good News (published in Broward) featured a major FRONT PAGE article on the pending sale of WMCU Spirit-FM. It contains a lot of informative interviews and information. You can see the article online at SPIRIT FM SAYS FAREWELL.
How to contribute to SaveWMCU
We are able to accept financial contributions in support of the efforts of SaveWMCU.
To contribute to SaveWMCU, go to the link: DONATING TO SAVEWMCU. The link also provides details on how funds will be used, accountability, etc.
We now have some specific important expenses coming up in this battle. Please pray and donate as you feel led. Many thanks to those who have given already. Your gift matters -- large or small! If everyone gave something, it would help us greatly in continuing. We just want people to be obedient to His promptings. (I Cor. 8:12)
***NEWEST SaveWMCU.com Flier***
Click HERE for a B&W and HERE for a COLOR pdf version of the newest SaveWMCU.com flier. Please copy the flier and distribute it to everyone who might be interested in helping restore WMCU to the air in S Florida. It is designed to fit two per page. Consider making fliers or larger versions to distribute and post in your church, at Christian Bookstores, and even on grocery store bulletin boards. SPREAD THE WORD! There are still MANY former listeners who do not know about the efforts to restore WMCU.
VARIOUS NEWS AND COMMENTS
This web site was established Sept. 29th, 2007. We will constantly be updating it with new information and features. Please check it regularly for updates. PLEASE spread the word about this website to as many people as possible. Consider asking your pastors to announce this site or to place it in the church bulletin so that those interested in knowing ways to respond to the sale of WMCU have a place to get up-to-date information. Also, please consider signing up for e-mail updates.
THE PURPOSE OF THIS WEBSITE
[PLEASE KEEP SPREADING THE WORD ABOUT THIS WEBSITE!]
As most of you who have visiting this are aware, On September 25, 2007, WMCU (89.7FM, 101.9 FM in W. Palm Beach), also known as Spirit FM, signed a contract with American Public Media Group (APMG), the parent company of Minnesota Public Radio (MPR). The reported purchase price was $20 million. The transaction was done by the owners of the station, the Trinity International Foundation (Deerfield, IL), whose purpose is to support the educational ministries of Trinity International University. Many additional details about this used to be found on the WMCU Radio website. This site had given specific information on how pledges, day sponsors, and other financial issues are being handled. HOWEVER -- less than two weeks after the station was shut down, they have chosen to strip their website of all of the information!
Another website of interest is: savewcal.livejournal.com This SaveWMCU website, in addition to having detailed information and links about the pending contract for the sale of WMCU, details the successful battle to save another Christian station, WGTS, from being purchased by APMG. It is discusses the ongoing battle to save WCAL. The stories read VERY similarly to the methods used to purchase WMCU.
At the close of Sunday September 30th, our dear station WMCU went off the air. The station went silent for ~3 weeks. After that, classical music programming began.
The sale was finalized March 2008.
That brings us to the main purpose for this website. Since the announcement on Sept. 26th of the pending contract for WMCU, many of the faithful listeners and supporters were surprised and saddened at the loss of one of our community's primary Christian voice on the radio airways. BUT, since the contents of the last few days of broadcasts and the contents of the website were no longer live or interactive, people could not really rally together to try and do something about the situation. This website is intended to serve first and foremost as a rallying point for those who were blessed by WMCU through the years. The Lord by His Spirit is laying on many people's hearts a burden to take actions. People are praying for wisdom and guidance from the Lord on what He wants them to do. This website will attempt to provide information about 1) possible efforts to purchase another station to replace the ministry of WMCU, 2) possible meetings concerning the future of this radio ministry, 3) web addresses of the programs that were carried on WMCU so that people can continue being blessed by those ministries, 4) other Christian stations in the South Florida area (some might not be received in your region) and 5) any other ongoing efforts related to this and any other areas we feel would be appropriate.
We urge everyone who is burdened about this issue to 1) PRAY!!! (and even fast as led), 2) ASK what the Lord would have YOU to do to help, and 3) start checking the various links we have listed to familiarize yourself with the situation and our options. Also, check this site regularly for updates. If the Lord lays something particular on your heart, please e-mail us and share it. God has already stirred the hearts of many to start taking action. Some of those things will be shared on this website at a future date.
We believe that when the Body of Christ comes together under the leading of the Holy Spirit, great things happen and we will see the power and love of God demonstrated to our community. "That they all may be one; as Thou, Father, art in me, and I in Thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that Thou hast sent Me."(John 17:21, see also Ps. 133)
CONTACT US
You can contact us with comments, ideas, and support by writing to: savewmcu897@bellsouth.net. To receive important e-mail UPDATES, fill in your contact info on the pop-up window or fill out the CONTACT US link. Please help us keep our information accurate. If you notice any errors (factual, wrong web address, etc.), PLEASE let us know! This website is a grassroots effort and not the product of any one church or corporation. It is also not in any way designed or endorsed by former employees, management or owners of WMCU.
