Jonathan Bellamy

In 2009 we had the privilege of receiving a number of powerful testimonies from our listeners of how their lives had been impacted by Cross Rhythms. We heard from a young non Christian girl who was self harming and was impacted by one of our Girl's Night In Podcasts and subsequently talked with a counselor to get help; a pregnant teenager who'd been rejected by her boyfriend and church listened to a radio promo and gave her life to Jesus; another pregnant teenager who was going to have an abortion listened to the same radio promo and decided to have the baby; a suicidal young woman who was given some life-saving rope as she called into one of our shows late one night and a Buddhist who in spending time talking with one of our members of staff gave their life to Jesus.

These stories are awesome and worth celebrating, but the question remains: What about the millions of other youth in our nation? How vital is a media voice like Cross Rhythms in these days?

Recent research* amongst teenagers reveals the following:

• Two-thirds of teenagers believe religion is bad and 'has a negative influence on the world'


• 55% say family, friends, money and entertainment are more important


• Half of teenagers claim they have never prayed and 16 per cent have never been to church


• Three in ten believe in an afterlife but one in ten believes in reincarnation

The truth is there is a fierce battle for the souls of a younger generation, and indeed for the people of our cities and communities, but Cross Rhythms has grown up learning how to engage in the fight and been trained and prepared over 26 years for the even greater battles ahead. Even other UK media players recognise our readiness: a 2009 issue of Youthwork magazine declared Cross Rhythms 'The most youth-friendly Christian broadcaster by far.'

At Cross Rhythms young lives are being impacted, our ability to engage with the local community continues to find real favour, and young listeners and users are finding us from across the globe.

Indeed recently we have been particularly encouraged by the level of positive feedback we are hearing from the wider community: the local Stoke-on-Trent council now works with us to train all their officers and cabinet members in media skills; a local pottery firm of over 700 employees has taken us on as one of their 'Champion Organisations'; and the city centre manager was overheard in a café to say that we do a better job than the BBC in profiling the city of Stoke-on-Trent!

Significant bridges into the community are being made and a growing sphere of influence for the kingdom of God is resulting. As I mentioned in my last letter, when Jesus described the Kingdom of God he said it was like a little 'yeast that works itself through a large batch of dough'. That is how God is using Cross Rhythms into the cities.

God is giving great favour to this model. As you know there are already three Cross Rhythms FM stations in Stoke, Plymouth and Teesside; plus we are supporting another station in Coventry. In our ongoing vision to see 10 such stations in the cities of our nation we are also in discussion with groups in three other cities. Something we hope to see established over the next few years, in a time when the Christian voice and Christian values in our nation are getting more and more undermined.

Through the Cross Rhythms FM radio stations and through our influential website there are many, many more lives that are destined to be reached through a Godly Christian voice in the coming years, and this only happens because of our wonderful team and our prayer and financial supporters.

You see, this ministry is something that Jesus is doing. It is His vision and you and I together share in making it happen. Some of us are presenters, some write editorial, others stuff envelopes, and others are financial and prayer warriors. Together we partner to see this Godly strategy raised to powerful effect in these days that we all know are very challenging for our nation and our people.

As a team we are entering 2010 strong in faith looking to see increased fruitfulness and multiplication in all areas. If you are encouraged by the lives changed through Cross Rhythms; if you have a heart for young people and believe in Christian media, would you consider standing with us as a Friend of Cross Rhythms? We are looking for 400 regular contributors - could you be one of them? These 400 people are those that would stand shoulder to shoulder with us as they give £10 a month to see the Kingdom of God expand through Cross Rhythms. We need these 400 people not only to secure up what we're already doing, but also to expand and grow.

If you don't feel ready to become a Friend perhaps you would consider a one off gift? As the recession continues to bite we're giving everything we've got to make sure that we don't lose ground, but rather we're looking to take more ground for His Kingdom. Will you help us?

Thank you for your prayerful consideration.

* Survey conducted for Penguin Books, marking the publication of a novel about a 15-year-old girl who questions God's existence. Killing God, 'explores the personal attitudes of young people today, especially those with troubled lives, towards religion'.