Christian radio station 
is in the works

PRINCETON — Bureau County could have a Christian radio station operating within the next few years.

Local resident Stan Tinker said he hopes to find land for the radio station in northern Bureau County, west of Walnut, or in southern Whiteside County in the Deer Grove area.

Due to permits and the need for funds, Tinker has set a target date of March 24, 2012, to have the radio station operational. His goal is to have the station broadcast 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

One thing that will make the local station different is the fact that Tinker wants to include lots of information and interviews with local people and ministries.

“There are other Christian radio stations in the area, but none that focus on what’s going on here,” Tinker said. “I think we need a station that reaches out locally with all the local ministries that people are involved with here. There is so much going on in ministry right here in our own backyard that most of us don’t even know about, and there’s more to come.”

Tinker said the idea to start a Christian radio station started forming about eight years ago after he became a Christian and wasn’t able to find a Christian radio station while riding his motorcycle in northern parts of the area. God used that seed of discontent to open his eyes to the need and possibilities, he said.

The dream of a local Christian radio station moved forward four years ago when Tinker heard a talk show about the Federal Communications Commission accepting applications for new non-commercial stations during one week in October of 2004.

After the radio application is approved by the FCC, then he must secure a construction company to build a tower and get the broadcasting equipment, Tinker said. For now, he’s focused on getting funding to build the radio station. The amount of money needed is rather large, but in reality, it is nothing compared to God’s value on life, he said. Once the station is operational, it should support itself.

On a personal note, Tinker said he has made a lot of mistakes in his life, but he’s changed since becoming a Christian.