Over the last 6 years you may remember that we have written about involvement with Radio. We had participated in several temporary licenses. This all played a part in helping change the Broadcasting Authorities perception of Christian Radio and subsequently interested parties were invited to make an application for a licence. The group we were working with, Spirit Radio made an application and subsequently won the licence.

We have watched and supported all this it from a distance, but in January this year there were some fresh developments. The man who had been heading up the initiative stepped back and suddenly the board of directors were looking for a new man to head up the project.

After some reflection, I started to feel that I should make myself available to take up the responsibility. There were a number of reasons. I have been involved with this project from the beginning and would love to see Christian Radio launched across Ireland. People today are so media savvy - radio creates the possibility to make the connection and communicate Gospel truths in a contemporary context. Secondly if the licence is not used it will be lost and the opportunity for Christian Radio will be lost. The Board were looking for someone who could relate to both the Catholic and Evangelical/Protestant Communities in Ireland, something I have been doing for more than 25 years. On top of all that having passed on my YWAM National Director responsibilities I was both available and ready for a fresh challenge and then most importantly I felt the Lord prompt me to put my name forward. I was interviewed by the Board and that same day offered the position.

I spoke with my YWAM leaders, to explore how I might take up this challenge and remain on staff with YWAM.. After a number of discussions with the West European Leader Stephe Mayers and the Kerygma Executive, I am delighted to be able to say that I have been commissioned to take on this project and am seconded to Spirit Radio as a YWAMmer. I continue to serve on the YWAM leadership team in Ireland and on the executive of YWAM’s Kerygma Teams.. And I continue to serve on the executive for the RELaY Network.- I am both excited and daunted by the challenge. I am surrounded by great people and we stand with a tremendous opportunity in front of us. Right now we are seeking to raise the seed capital to get the radio on the air. It is a real faith venture! You can listen to Spirit Radio on the internet right now www.spiritradio.ie

Right now I am also building a prayer support team - we are very aware that it is a battle to get this station launched. email me if you would like to be a part of this prayer team. rob@kteams.org

Rob Clarke