Inspire, Fall 2001

(Alumni Profile: Brian Blair '83) Alaskan Radio Carries the Good News C hristian radio has become a convenience that many believers take for granted. Whether you want to listen to Christian music,hear a special sermon by a favorite speaker, or call in to a program for help on financial or family concerns, Christian radio is there. Even in Cedarville,CDR's "The Path," WSRN Student Radio Network,and the newer sounds of U99.5 have often been heard around the community and on campus. Christian radio is undoubtedly a part ofour lives. Just imagine the impact of Christian radio on a place where there are no churches or where the few churches that do exist are often very small and struggling ... a place that is so vast with weather so rough that the churches can only be reached by airplane or boat or dog sled ... a place where most villages will never have a self-supporting church with their own full-time pastor. Is this some far-off nation or distant continent? No,this is rural Alaska. For Brian Blair '83, Christian radio has been a part of his life for at least 20 years. As a broadcasting major,he spent many hours in the studio and continued working at CDR immediately upon graduation. Brian's radio career has opened up many opportunities for him and has shown him how God has uniquely gifted him and designed him for ministry. Blind from infancy, working in radio was a perfect way for Brian to incorporate his love of music(he is an accomplished pianist), his fine broadcasting voice,and his love of God and Christian principles. Jon Skillman'67 worked with Brian at CDR for several years before taking a short-term missions trip to Alaska in 1995. When he returned,Jon told Brian ofthe many opportunities to minister through Christian radio in Alaska. Jon and his wife, Katy(Griffin)'69,returned to Alaska as full-time missionaries shortly thereafter, and the seed was planted in Brian's mind and heart. Upon receiving a letter from the Skillmans, Brian learned ofthe great need for workers,and he decided to contact the director of Voice for Christ Ministries to see how he might help on a short-term basis. On August 17, 1999,Brian, his wife,Laurie(Wagner)'83,and their children headed to Nenana,Alaska for a one-month adventure in ministry. While there, Brian worked at the IAm Radio Network, which consists of stations in 18 Fall 2001 Nenana,Bethel,Tanana Ruby,and Bettles. In addition to providing hourly weather forecasts, a community calendar program,and various "spots," Brian and his family attended a small church in Anderson,Alaska, where Brian played the piano. "We were impressed with the great need for workers at Voice for Christ. There were not enough people to staff the ministry," Brian stated."These stations reach into areas where there is no other station—Christian or secular—available.There is a wide open door for ministry to people who need to hear the Gospel, and they listen because the broadcasts provide programming to meet the needs of rural Alaska."The Blairs could feel their hearts being pulled toward full-time missions. They left Alaska with a burden to return and have a part in the ministry there. In the months that followed,they prayed and sought counsel and direction from their church. Brian stated, "We believe God has burdened us for the work in Alaska and has given us abilities we can use to His glory in this work." The Blairs are now in the process of seeking churches and individuals to be part of their support team;they will begin visiting churches this fall. The mission of Voice for Christ is to reach rural Alaska with the Gospel of Christ."Because radio is serving the people of rural Alaska, barriers have been removed and Voice for Christ staff have been welcomed by native American villages which previously wanted nothing to do with white people," Brian said."People are getting saved,and the radio ministry is opening opportunities for one-on-one contacts. We are praying that God will send more laborers into this harvest." Brian '83and Laurie Wagner Blair '83 with (left to right) Gabriella, Elliott, Joel, and Elisha.