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Second in a series by Harold Goerzen In a Winter article of the Alumni CONNECTION of Reach Beyond where the Kealys served for 25 years the Kealys were highlighted by veteran writer Harold Goerzen. We share the second of this three part series not for glory because that all goes to God. We are humbled by the recognition; yet we continue to go where God leads. You know this if you follow our ministry. Radio Planting
“We likened the development of Christian radio programming and listener follow-up to church planting,” David explained. “One similarity is targeting a needy area and conducting audience research to help meet real and felt needs of the listening audience. One difference is the absence of a single denomination inspiring the effort. Christian radio had been done historically as a single mission or ministry endeavor. We began changing that perception—we believe in partnership.” The Kealys soon discovered that partnership was a foreign concept to believers in the Soviet Union who had been oppressed under communism for 73 years. “They said, ‘Tell us how to do it (be the czar and tell us exactly what to do and you have total ownership because that is what we understand and know) or give us the money and get out of our way,’” David related. Overcoming numerous challenges, David came alongside local believers, training them to produce radio programs and later helping them obtain government permits for FM radio stations in countries that had never allowed private radio stations or Christian broadcasts. One of his many memorable experiences was a providential meeting with South African Pastor John Thomas when they crossed paths in an elevator in Florida. David and Pastor Thomas were both attending a Missions Conference at a local church during the time when David was helping the mission prepare for the move to Colorado Springs, Colo. Thomas was facing a tight deadline after unexpectedly receiving a license to put South Africa’s first Christian radio station on the air, but he knew nothing about radio. David responded, “We can help you - it's what we do!” With technical help from SonSet Solutions and training in radio program production, the station was on the air within 30 days. CCFM became one of the city’s most-listened-to stations, and the ministry has started a network of radio stations across countries in Africa called Radio Africa Network (RAN). Thomas has also served on Reach Beyond’s board of trustees for many years.
RegionalizationIn May 1994 the Reach Beyond board of trustees approved Euro-Asia as a region for extended ministry across the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS). David was named director, initiating the mission’s regionalization efforts. In the next four years, David and Sharon had the opportunity to develop dozens of ministry partnerships in the region.
In 1999 David developed a tool to bring interested people from the same country or area together to encourage cooperation in the development of local radio stations. “We had the opportunity to conduct the first radio forums as we visited Hungary, Bulgaria, Croatia, Albania and Macedonia along with Bob and Miriam Neff,” David noted. City by CityLater that year David shared his vision of reaching the world’s major cities with Christian radio. The City by City initiative was launched and he was asked to develop the project. “Through this initiative we planned to proactively go to the cities where we felt God wanted us to go. This meant we needed to seek His face, His will and His direction, going to the cities where He wanted us,” David declared. At part of the City by City project, David visited government officials in New Delhi, India, in 2001. “They were very open to discussion and assistance as they considered privatization of radio in India,” David said.
Check in next month for the final part three of this series.
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KEALY QUOTESIn a recent article of the Alumni CONNECTION of Reach Beyond where the Kealys served for 25 years the Kealys were highlighted by veteran writer Harold Goerzen. We share the opening here not for glory because that all goes to God. We are humbled by the recognition; yet we continue to go where God leads. You know this if you follow our ministry.
David and Sharon were both 44 years old when they sensed the Lord prompting them to serve 2with Reach Beyond and both leave successful careers in finance, mass media, architectural design, health care administration and church leadership. They were listening to former president Ron Cline speak at their church in the U.S. when “we raised our hands and said we would go,” David explained. “When we came to candidate orientation, I said we would do whatever was needed. We were called by God to serve, and there’s no reason why we would stop serving. The call is so important. I would always ask new candidates about their call to ministry. It needs to be as strong as what I experienced. My passion is no less now than the day we were first called.”
Donor DevelopmentAfter being accepted as appointees in 1987 and raising their support, the Kealys were initially assigned to the international headquarters in Miami, Fla., then Quito before returning to Miami in August 1988 to serve as director of stewardship. David became the first full-time missionary to work in donor development. It was around this time that Cline launched the “World by 2000” challenge, a cooperative effort with other broadcast ministries to add gospel radio programs in all the world’s major languages by the year 2000. The Kealys were on board with the initiative, raising funds and helping where needed to put unreached languages on the air. In 1990 David took two trips to the Soviet Union, documenting the changed lives of listeners who came to Christ via broadcasts from Radio Station HCJB. He also met with speakers of Georgian, Chuvash, Bashkir, Tatar, Uzbek and Turkmen—all World by 2000 languages. He later helped set up a recording studio for mission’s new partner in the Republic of Georgia—one of many firsts involving the Kealys—providing training in radio program production. After the breakup of the U.S.S.R. in 1991, Sharon joined David on a return trip to see the region where she too got a firsthand look at the needs and opportunities to spread the gospel via radio.
After the mission moved its international headquarters to Colorado Springs, Colo., in 1992, David and Sharon spent six weeks in Ukraine during which David helped develop a one-year radio production course.at Donetsk Bible College. He also taught 15 first-year students and spoke at the graduation of the first graduating class in 1993. This was the beginning of an ongoing Christian radio training outreach with courses that continue to take place across Europe and Eurasia.  Looking back at this photo we reflect on the wonderful radio ministry many of these students had in the following years across Russia. David That same year, David broadened his perspective to include India, encouraging the production of radio programs in Bhojpuri—another World by 2000 language.
In 1993 the Kealys prepared to move to the region to be closer to the mission’s new radio partners. “Landing in Moscow and hearing HCJB broadcast from a local partner station was the first of many ways we saw the Lord’s hand at work,” David said. My precious wife Sharon mentioned late last year she became aware for the first time that all around us we seemed to go from Halloween to Christmas without regard to Thanksgiving. What a modern day tragedy. Let’s not pack away for another year the stuff about our “Christ centered” celebration. Let’s ponder the true meaning of Christmas, let it linger in our hearts. So, with time fleeting by I must share a personal note with you that was hand written on a Christmas card we received this past Christmas. The note is attributed to Max Lucado and it might help us hold on to the beauty of Christmas a bit longer. The paraphrase on our favorite card this year reads as follows
The personal note from our dear friend continues; “rejoice in the birth of our Lord and Savior. May the blessings of Christ be upon you both. We thank God for both of you! You bless us so much.” By this note we are impacted by the grace and power of that lowly birth so many centuries ago. And the touching conclusion of that note in the card is an encouragement to us to concentrate on being the people God wants us to be. Encourage someone today. Make it a point to encourage someone every day this year. Make it a habit. My father told me years ago that doing something 30 times is enough to create a habit. Try it, see for yourself if it works; the year will be a whole new blessing to you and of course to others as well. Let me remind you of a thought I shared with you in November, just a few months ago; "I am thankful for what I have, and for what I do not have; I am thankful for who I am, and for who I am not.” Strive to be the person God wants you to be! Verses to help youTrust in the LORD with all your heart And do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He will make your paths straight. Proverbs 3:5-6 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect. Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. Romans 12:1-2 And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. Romans 8:28 Yet those who wait for the LORD Will gain new strength; They will mount up with wings like eagles, They will run and not get tired, They will walk and not become weary. Isaiah 40:31
Our Kealy Quotes ~ insight to ministryIf you do not receive the KEALY QUOTES please drop a note to us on this site and we will gladly include you with future releases. For more than 30 years we have shared our ministry four times a year; now with Constant Contact. The print, cut and paste, print, fold, insert, stamp and mail days are long gone and now this electronic message; our brief message about our year. Thank you for your encouragement, prayer and financial support throughout 2018. This year our Kealy family will spend Christmas together at Rancho Vistoso in Oro Valley, Arizona.
The LORD continues to bless our ministry locally at LifePoint Church and globally with Reaching People far from God. We continue to support Morning Star in an undisclosed country; fresh water wells and water projects in Ghana, Liberia, Nepal and Indonesia. Consultancy and facility design continue with several global partner ministries. Sharon leads the local and global missions outreach for LifePoint Church in Banning, California, where we attend. David continues to assist our global ministry friends in ministry including VOX Liberia with the VOX Radio station and development of their ministry compound. The 97.5 FM Christian radio station has completed the first year of test broadcasting and is planning to build the live studio in 2019. Our continued joy is to share the HOPE of Jesus as our global partners reach their audiences with the good news of His love. “To God be the Glory for all He has done!” This year more than ever we are receiving what might be called savvy year-end giving options. If you are considering a year-end contribution you might consider a few tax-wise tips to help you maximize your impact for the Kingdom. TIMING: To receive a tax deduction on this year’s tax return, be sure cash gifts are postmarked or delivered in person by December 31. Gifts of stock or other non-cash assets must be received by the organization by December 31. GIVING APPRECIATED STOCK OR REAL ESTATE: You may be able to take advantage of significant tax benefits by giving non-cash assets such as appreciated stock, real estate or commodities. To maximize your benefits, make sure to give appreciated assets directly rather than selling them first and gifting the proceeds. TAKE ADVANTAGE OF TAX-FREE DISTRIBUTIONS FROM YOUR IRA: If you are 70 1/2 or older, you can make a tax-free distributions up to $100,000 per year from your individual retirement accounts to charity. These gifts count toward your annual required minimum distribution and will not be included in your adjusted gross income. These gifts must be completed by December 31st so please contact your financial advisor for more information.
“Don’t hoard treasure down here where it gets eaten by moths and corroded by rust or—worse!—stolen by burglars. Stockpile treasure in heaven, where it’s safe from moth and rust and burglars. It’s obvious, isn’t it? The place where your treasure is, is the place you will most want to be, and end up being. Matthew 6:19-21 The Message
Gracious and Thankful seasonGratitude is: from the Harvard Medical School, “a thankful appreciation for what an individual receives, whether tangible or intangible.” “The steps of a man are established by the Lord, And He delights in his way. When he falls, he will not be hurled headlong, Because the Lord is the One who holds his hand. I have been young and now I am old, Yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken, Or his descendants begging bread. All day long he is gracious and lends, And his descendants are a blessing.” Psalm 37:23-26 The definition of thankful is someone feeling or showing gratitude. When you are pleased and grateful for what you have, be thankful.
Recently I met with an 83 year old widow and she shared an interesting statement with me that her pastor told her many years ago. She recites this every morning, "I am thankful for what I have, and for what I do not have; I am thankful for who I am, and for who I am not." She feels this gives her the direction for the day that pleases God. How ever you start each day enjoy the thankful season this year even though it is being lost between Halloween and Christmas marketing in America these days. Praying is important to GodIn the September 2018 BLOG an ACTION POINT was to Pray for others. I do that but I got to thinking there could be specific Bible verses that could help us understand more about “others”.
Evidently this is important to God. I say it because we find instruction in the Bible about being strong in the Lord against the powers of world-rulers of darkness. A side note here comes to mind about the powers of world-rulers of darkness because of a Bible verse I learned this week; “For He rescued us from the domain of darkness, and delivered us to the kingdom of His beloved Son.” Colossians 1:13 We claim strength by putting on the whole armor of God! “And take the helmet of Salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.” Ephesians 6:17 So going to the “word of God” the Bible is a good guide; a good guide for any question about living in a meaningful way, especially toward the “others” around us. If you follow these monthly BLOGS you will recall recently topics have been about others. The three main topics are INTIMACY with God, INTIMACY with God’s people, and INTIMACY with lost people. Notice two of the three are about our relationship with people. So I got to thinking about the “others” all around us. SCRIPTURES: There are at least 25 passages that fit this topic of considering “others”. Here are a few of them. “Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.” 1 Thessalonians 4:18 "Be at peace with each other.” Mark 9:50 "In humility consider others better than yourselves." Philippians 2:3 "Be kind and compassionate to one another." Ephesians 4:32 "Forgive each other." Ephesians 4:32 "Be patient, bearing with one another in love." Ephesians 4:2 "Accept one another." Romans 15:7 "Spur one another on toward love and good deeds." Hebrews 10:24 ACTION POINTS: Pray for others
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