Spring 2026 - The Listen
Behind the Mic
If you’re a regular listener of The Christian’s Hour, you may have noticed a new voice behind the microphone. We are excited to welcome Cody as our new producer and host, continuing the same faithful, biblical teaching you have trusted for years.
Each week, God’s Word is going out on air waves with clarity and conviction, reaching listeners in moments when truth is needed most. If you haven’t tuned in recently, or ever before, now is a wonderful time to jump in. New programs are released every week, including:
A convenient 15-minute version for those on the go
A full 30-minute expanded program, offering in-depth teaching
Every episode is available to listen to or download anytime on our website, or streaming on your favorite podcasting platform. As we look ahead, we also pause to give heartfelt thanks to Stan Smelser for his many years, faithfully behind the microphone. Stan has been instrumental in carrying this ministry forward and sharing God’s Word with consistency and integrity. His impact is lasting, and we are deeply grateful.
We’re excited about this next chapter, and we invite you to listen, share, and be part of what God is continuing to do.
Global Happenings
One of our ministry teams in Thailand recently had the opportunity to travel to northeast India, where a large community from there people group live. This trip was especially meaningful, as many of them have been deeply impacted by our radio broadcasts and have long desired to gather face to face.
Getting there was not easy. Due to nearby border conflicts, the region required multiple visas and special permits. What could have been a closed door became a testimony of God’s provision. By His grace, every document came through, and after several regional flights and long hours of overland travel, the team finally arrived.
Packed in their bags were dozens of radios, more than 50 MP3 players and SD cards loaded with Christ centered programming, along with hymn books to enable believers to expand their worship. These resources were warmly received. We were told that many are in great need of such devices because they spend most of their days working in the fields farming. Attending regular services for believers is often difficult, as they cannot easily leave their work.
Even so, when word spread that our team had come, many made the effort to gather. There were multiple meetings marked by shared meals, heartfelt fellowship, encouragement, and prayer. At one point, believers called in as many as possible from the surrounding countryside for a larger community gathering and feast. During that time, the Gospel was clearly shared, making it a tremendous blessing and opportunity.
We deeply believe in listener follow-up and intentional audience relationships. Strengthening the body of Christ means not only broadcasting the message, but also helping bring people into a personal relationship with Him and meaningful fellowship with one another. This trip was a beautiful example of that commitment in action.
**Some faces have been blurred due to the sensitivity of the region.
A Word From Cody
With 2026 now underway, so are our efforts to share Christ in some of the least reached and most spiritually resistant regions of the world. Recently, we took an important step forward by sending teams on two vision trips to Southeast Asia, one to Indonesia among the G people*, and another to the Philippines among the K people*, where more than 99% of the population follows another faith and access to the Gospel is extremely limited.
These visits mark the first foundational step toward establishing a long-term media ministry among these unreached people groups. Our team members carry a deep burden to see these communities encounter the love of Jesus, and they went to listen, learn, and prayerfully discern how this ministry could begin to take root.
Because our desire is to reach people in their heart language, our teams spent time building relationships, exploring the culture, and understanding the local media landscape. They also began forming trusted connections with local believers and underground churches, a critical component so that future listeners will have a network to connect with, ask questions of, and grow to know Christ as Lord and Savior.
What we discovered was incredibly encouraging. While traditional radio remains an option, we also identified multiple digital broadcasting platforms already being used by the people in these regions. This is a tremendous blessing. We never want to force our media methodology into a place where people are not listening. Instead, we want to meet them where they already are, whether through radio, streaming platforms, social media, or other locally trusted channels. As Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 9:19–23, he became “all things to all people, that by all means I might save some.” That same heart guides us as well. We seek to find common ground so that the message of Christ can be heard clearly and received openly.
These visits represent step one, but it is a vital one. The photos you see represent groundwork being laid, relationships being formed, and prayerful strategy taking shape. None of this happens apart from God’s provision and guidance. So, we go boldly, faithfully, and obediently, trusting Him to open doors. Would you join us in this mission? Please pray for these efforts and ask the Lord how He might lead you to partner with us in sending the Gospel to the them.
**For security reasons, people group names are abbreviated and faces have been blurred.
Strengthening the Mission through Collaboration
Recently, the National Religious Broadcasters (NRB) Convention was held in Nashville, Tennessee, and it was a rich and valuable time as we attended representing the ministry. The NRB Convention brings together Christian communicators, ministry leaders, broadcasters, and media innovators from around the world. It is a unique opportunity to collaborate, build relationships, share strategies, and explore emerging technologies, all for the sake of proclaiming Christ more effectively through media.
For us, this gathering was more than just a conference. It was an opportunity to strengthen partnerships, learn from others who are navigating the rapidly changing media landscape, and ensure that our ministry remains both faithful to the Gospel and forward-thinking in how we deliver it.
We participated in discussions on new distribution platforms, digital engagement strategies, and tools that can help expand our reach into places where traditional access may be limited. As media continues to evolve, it is essential that we steward every opportunity wisely so that the message of Christ can be heard clearly and broadly.
Perhaps most encouraging was the sense of unity. In a media environment often saturated with noise, confusion, and messages that offer little lasting hope, it was deeply refreshing to stand alongside fellow believers committed to bringing biblical truth to the airwaves and digital spaces. Together, we were reminded that we are not alone in this work. We returned encouraged, better equipped, and more committed than ever to use radio and media as a platform to share the hope of Christ.
