In the autumn of 2026 I had the privilege of being asked to write a poem to help celebrate the 20-year anniversary of the Calvary Chapel, Merritt Island radio station, WRDJ. I initially felt this might be one of the most challenging poetry requests I’d ever received, as I wasn’t sure how I was going to “wax lyrical” about a radio station! Once I started hearing about some of the history of the station and the incredible impact this ministry has had over the years, I had no trouble at all writing some verses of thanksgiving and praise.
To give a little bit of context, Pastor Chuck Smith, founder of the Calvary Chapel movement, pioneered the use of radio as an effective tool for Bible teaching and evangelism beginning in the 60s. In the 1980s, Chuck Smith helped purchase KWAVE out of Calvary Chapel, Costa Mesa. He then began to urge other Calvary Chapel pastors to secure their own local frequencies, calling radio the most cost-effective way to share the gospel. Today, hundreds of AM and FM stations, low-power translators, and digital streams are owned or programmed by Calvary Chapel affiliates nationwide, such as WRDJ 93.5 FM locally in Merritt Island, Hope FM, and The Bridge Christian Radio.
WRDJ-LP-FM is a 24/7 ministry, and for 20 years they have been there to instruct, to inspire, to comfort, and to edify the body of Christ, through verse-by-verse teaching of the Word of God and through uplifting worship music. The prayers behind this ministry have a heart to draw the lost into a relationship with our loving Saviour, Jesus Christ, and to offer daily discipleship through excellent radio Bible teachers.
In the 1990s, God gave Pastor Malcolm Wild, senior pastor of Calvary Chapel Merritt Island, the vision to develop a radio station as part of their church’s ministry, and so the congregation began to pray. Skip forward to 2026, and Malcolm was asking me to write a poem to celebrate two decades of God answering those prayers!
By the grace of God, I managed to put together some verses that combined the details of the ministry with a heart of thanksgiving. I had fun including a few nods to the Floridian geography of the church, along with its close proximity to the NASA Space Centre with a spot of wordplay! I was so honoured to be able to recite the poem live at their celebration evening, and I pray the anointed ministry of WRDJ will continue to bless people for many more years to come!
Lord, we come with thankful hearts and gratitude this day.To give a little bit of context, Pastor Chuck Smith, founder of the Calvary Chapel movement, pioneered the use of radio as an effective tool for Bible teaching and evangelism beginning in the 60s. In the 1980s, Chuck Smith helped purchase KWAVE out of Calvary Chapel, Costa Mesa. He then began to urge other Calvary Chapel pastors to secure their own local frequencies, calling radio the most cost-effective way to share the gospel. Today, hundreds of AM and FM stations, low-power translators, and digital streams are owned or programmed by Calvary Chapel affiliates nationwide, such as WRDJ 93.5 FM locally in Merritt Island, Hope FM, and The Bridge Christian Radio.
WRDJ-LP-FM is a 24/7 ministry, and for 20 years they have been there to instruct, to inspire, to comfort, and to edify the body of Christ, through verse-by-verse teaching of the Word of God and through uplifting worship music. The prayers behind this ministry have a heart to draw the lost into a relationship with our loving Saviour, Jesus Christ, and to offer daily discipleship through excellent radio Bible teachers.
In the 1990s, God gave Pastor Malcolm Wild, senior pastor of Calvary Chapel Merritt Island, the vision to develop a radio station as part of their church’s ministry, and so the congregation began to pray. Skip forward to 2026, and Malcolm was asking me to write a poem to celebrate two decades of God answering those prayers!
By the grace of God, I managed to put together some verses that combined the details of the ministry with a heart of thanksgiving. I had fun including a few nods to the Floridian geography of the church, along with its close proximity to the NASA Space Centre with a spot of wordplay! I was so honoured to be able to recite the poem live at their celebration evening, and I pray the anointed ministry of WRDJ will continue to bless people for many more years to come!
We praise the name of Jesus Christ, Your Son.
Your people join in one accord and raise their hands in worship
For all You have established and the great things You have done!
You launched a mighty ministry through Calvary, Merritt Island;
A church that’s welcomed many through the door.
Where saints have served You faithfully, here, on Courtenay Parkway;
Continuing the vision of the ones who came before.
For surely there were those who were attentive to Your leading
And used their days to serve the Great Commission!
Men of God, like Pastor Chuck, who listened to Your prompting—
To reach the hearts of many via radio transmission!
This tool would be effective in furthering the Gospel;
An instrument much more than just a quirk.
Now sound and solid teaching could encourage souls at breakfast!
While many chose to surf the waves whilst on their way to work.
God’s Word was swiftly rocketed in multiple directions!
A voice that could be heard each night and day.
A constant source of comfort at the pressing of a button;
Signalling to all the message: Jesus is the way!
A faceless friend who’d never sleep, unwaveringly present.
Bringing hope through talks and interviews.
Helping people understand and draw close to their Saviour.
With pastor’s sermons, Bible studies, sports, and Christian news.
Or praise and worship music sent to lift a lonely listener.
Encouragement to trust, repent, believe!
Instruction sent to edify, or warn the weary sinner
To tune their hearts to God—the greatest message to receive!
Creating correspondence through seasons of all weather,
Even when the world was filled with strife.
For Covid shut the doors of church, enforcing isolation,
As government restrictions now dictated daily life.
With congregations scattered and locked in cold seclusion,
The solitude made many feel alone.
Though lives were paused for months on end, the station never wavered!
The Gospel soared across the skies and glorified God’s Throne!
Connecting listeners every day, free from interruption!
The message beamed, consistent from its tower!
Like manna in the wilderness, or water in the desert.
Supplying the reminder that we serve a higher power!
The power that defeated death and purchased our salvation.
There is no greater message we can preach!
And every year at Easter, from Lori Wilson Park,
This news is broadcast live through sunrise service on the beach.
Oh, what a stunning work of God! A masterful invention
That’s touched so many lives throughout the years!
Lord, bless the different ministries that brought about Your vision!
The ones who made it possible through blood, and sweat, and tears.
You know the name of every soul who helped to make it happen.
You saw the efforts gifted to You, Lord.
Whether it was brains or brawn, or prayerful intercession,
We’ll celebrate in Heaven as they’re given their reward!
Yet all the praise and honour must return to Christ, our Saviour.
To venerate another is absurd.
We thank You, Lord, for all You do through WRDJ!
Where the Word is Jesus, and Jesus is the Word!
Romans 10:17
“So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.”
