2022 Annual Report

In His Hands

About

OUR MISSION

Revealing the character of God through the world around us.

OUR VISION

We build deep, restorative and inclusive relationships with others, introducing our audience to Jesus’ timeless message of hope, purpose and love, in an increasingly isolating world.

Nurture connection

We build and strengthen connectedness. God created us to be connected. Personal relationships and the exploration of the natural world often pave the way for relationships with Jesus. Proverbs 17:17

Embrace inclusiveness

We embrace each other, creating content that honors Biblical truth, speaks plainly and is accessible to everyone. Romans 15:7

Inspire transformation

We inspire and lift up rather than tear down and discourage. God does not yell instructions from the sideline, but walks with us, guiding every step, steadying every stumble. Galatians 6:2

Offer encouragement

We provide encouragement and hope. Life is difficult for us all and there is hope beyond fear, despair and division. Ephesians 4:29

Invite communion

We invite people to know Jesus. He has told us He is knocking and want’s to be invited in. We are committed to inviting everyone who hears His voice to be baptized into His family and to sit at His table.

Revelation 3:20

To achieve this mission, BMBA focuses on five key principles. We seek to...

Stepping out in faith, leaning into His plans

As tired as we all are of the pandemic, it impacted us all in ways large and small. As it winds down and we step into the new normal, it is evident how much it changed the world, how we interact and how we connect. Though we were separated physically, we connected through media and it is evident this will continue, shrinking the size and distance between people and places worldwide. As we step out in faith into these new frontiers, we know we are in His hands. Last year, after several years of pandemicimpacted fits and spurts, Blue Mountain Broadcasting made great strides.

In 2022 Blue Mountain Broadcasting:

Upgraded to High Definition for broadcast and streaming

Moved the majority of our staff into the Wallula Facility

Made significant progress on the new Wallula Studio, master control and offices

Hired 2.5 new employees and 2 interns

Upgraded workstation infrastructure

Hosted successful spiritual community event

Completed Secret Life of the Desert, Season 2

Produced nearly 100 episodes of Daily Bread, This week and Valley Viewpoint

Increased year-end fundraising by 13%

There has been incredible progress this year and we are awestruck by what He has accomplished. As we embark on 2023, we continue to lean on the plans He has for us.

Services

Regional Broadcast Stations & Worldwide Streaming

2022

Our flagship broadcast station, Blue Mountain Television, is available throughout the Inland Northwest through broadcast and cable channels, and worldwide on Roku and via our website. We partner with Hope Channel and others, to provide local and national content in both English and Spanish. In 2022 we began the process of creating a BMT specific app for delivery on demand through a myriad devices.

The BMB production division completed the second season of Telly Award winning Secret Life Series which includes Secret Life of the Forest and Secret Life of the Desert, by filmmaker Daniel Biggs and hosted by Mike Denny. In addition, we produce three weekly shows, Daily Bread a morning devotional series, This Week featuring local community guests, and Valley Viewpoint, the longest running community affairs program in the state of Washington.

Content Production, Creation and Delivery

Community Partnerships and Events

This year’s community outreach event, Happy, Healthy and Saved featured Dee Casper of CORE Evangelism. Casper was featured along with musicians from Walla Walla Valley Academy, Rogers Adventist School and special guests Rejoice Trio. This deeply appreciated and successful event also brought the community together to celebrate Sabbath Dinner in our newly remodeled community room. Casper’s sermons can be found on the BMT Youtube Channel.

Blue Mountain Television Wholesome Content. Healing Hope Where to watch

Blue Mountain Television provides wholesome content focused on community information, health, spirituality, and education to the Walla Walla Valley, Yakima, TriCities, Wenatchee and more.

For over 30 years, this community-supported station has broadcast over the air and on cable, and is continuing its journey by providing unique and uplifting content on streaming platforms.

From local church services and bible studies to exploring our beautiful natural resources and finding opportunities for better physical and mental health, our content is consumed daily by viewers of all ages, including the homebound, the elderly, and the inmates of the Walla Walla Penitentiary.

Each year, generous donors and local businesses ensure that members of the community connect with spiritual hope for the future, access to the incredible natural world right outside our door, opportunities for better health and living, soul-enriching conversations, and provide a rich resource for information and stellar education to our region.

In Walla Walla:

• Spectrum Cable

English: Channel 779

Spanish: Channel 233

• Digital Broadcast

English: 21.1, 28.1, 36.1

Spanish: 21.2, 28.2, 36.2

In Yakima:

• Spectrum Cable

English: Channel 779

Spanish: Channel 233

In Wenatchee:

• Spectrum Cable

English: Channel 779

Spanish: Channel 233

• LocalTel Cable

English: Channel 560

In the TriCities:

• Spectrum Cable

English: Channel 779

Spanish: Channel 233

Streaming/On Demand:

• On Roku

Blue Mountain Television

• Online: www.bmt.tv

• On YouTube:

Blue Mountain Television

Blue Mountain Television partners with content providers around the world to provide our region with curated content with a purpose. From traditional favortites such as Lifestyle Magazine, Amazing Facts and It is Written, to exciting new shows like The Incredible Journey and Country Wisdom we offer wholesome content for every member of the family and viewers young and young-at-heart.

Blue Mountain Television offers rich content produced locally by BMB and other regional organizations

and ministries. BMB produced shows include Daily Bread, Valley Viewpoint, This Week and the Secret Life Series. We work with local content producers to offer viewers local church services, live Christmas and graduation events, Adventures in Missions from Gospel Outreach and more.

From Broadcast to Content on Demand

Thirty-three years ago, Blue Mountain Broadcasting began its humble mission of reaching people for Jesus. Today, Blue Mountain Television can not only be seen throughout the Walla Walla Valley, but on cable and ROKU in Yakima, Wenatchee, the TriCities and more. Not only that, but we can reach the entire world with streaming and on demand content. What an incredible journey of faith it has been.

The past few years have changed everything — from how we interact with our community to what we expect from media. From how we do our work to how we provide and consume information.

These are significant changes which require that Blue Mountain Broadcasting adapt. As we embrace and pivot into these new and exciting opportunities we continue to reveal the character of God through the world around us. We couldn’t have anticipated these new opportunities all those years ago, but God knew. He also knew that there would be organizations and individuals and people to provide the necessary financial and operational foundation to face these challenges.

There have been days when this dream has seemed so far away. But this year, I am thrilled to let you know that the business operations for Blue Mountain Broadcasting are now located in our very own Wallula Facility. After years of a somewhat nomadic existence, with your help, God found a physical home for Blue Mountain Broadcasting. There is still much to do, but together we will build.

Every day, members of this community offer their time, talents and treasure to provide viewers the opportunity to spend time with Jesus, some for the first time. Their generosity inspires our staff and volunteers, which have grown this year, and impacts lives of viewers in ways we can’t comprehend.

On behalf of each and every viewer, Thank you. Your support is a precious gift not only today, but for eternity.

Lynelle Ellis Executive Director

In November we held a special weekend community outreach event. Happy, Healthy and Saved featured CORE Evangelism speaker Dee Casper, along with music from Walla Walla Valley Academy, Rogers Adventist School and Rejoice Trio. Recordings of this incredible event can be found on our YouTube Channel. This gift to the community also featured a spaghetti potluck dinner in our newly occupied Wallula facility.

Brightening the Corner Where You Aren’t. Yet.

Each day, we sink into the easy chair of knowing Jesus has us. He knows what is best for us and we can relax and feel a peace that passes all understanding. But do we also sink into the easy chair of avoiding other people who don’t feel that way?

One of the hardest things we face as Christians is the idea of being in the world, even while we are not of the world. It is far, far easier to cloister ourselves away from all the temptation and ugliness of the world. But Christ gave us very specific instructions: Go tell people what I have done for you. People everywhere. Be involved, be part of the community across the entire world. Bold instructions, those.

Yet what a message to share! We are called to not just brighten the corner where we are, but where we aren’t! Blue Mountain Broadcasting association is one of the wonderful ways we can do this. Many people rely on our flagship station, Blue Mountain Television, to spend time with Jesus. With programming delivered in both English and Spanish, the opportunity to reach hundreds of thousands in our region and even throughout the world is incredible.

We are also focused on creating and delivering content that attracts and builds a bridge to Jesus for those who would never step into a church, read a Bible or pick up a religious tract. This is a big mission, and one that requires a big team. A team of volunteers, employees, encouragers, prayers and yes, donors. Big giant donors and grantors, yes, but also donors who faithfully give a few dollars a month to reveal the genuine character of God we can see through the world around us.

Are you ready to step out of the easy chair of your own circle, to reach beyond your comfort zone? I invite you to become part of the mission — it take a prayer, a word of encouragement, sharing your favorite shows, offering your time, and giving a gift. Together, the corners we haven’t visited yet can be brightened for eternity. and we can proclaim that God is good, and deeply loves us, all of the time.

Every Hour I Need Him Delivering Meaningful Content that Connects

Filling nearly nine thousand hours with meaningful, unique and interesting content can be quite a challenge. But it’s so rewarding to curate a schedule filled with many opportunities for Blue Mountain Television viewers to spend time with Jesus. This year was no different and we have created, and discovered, some incredible options.

The most rewarding addition to our schedule in 2022 was Secret Life of the Desert. Season one launched in June, and season two in October. Produced by Blue Mountain Broadcasting, this Telly Award winning program remains one of our most beloved projects. Created by filmmaker Daniel Biggs and featuring host Mike Denny this team spent many hours bringing this series to life and were key to its success.

Another Blue Mountain Broadcasting production, Daily Bread, added two presenters: Pastor Andreas Baccai from the University Church and Pastor John Ash from the Stateline Church. It continues to build audience and remains a community favorite.

Another community favorite is from It Is Written. This fall, we added Conversations to our lineup. Conversations features John Bradshaw who interviews individuals from all over the world to learn their life stories. Other popular shows like Timeless Healing Insights with Dr. David DeRose, The Incredible Journey with Gary Kent and perennial favorites New Perceptions, Gospel Outreach’s Adventure in Missions and local and national church services continue to connect with the viewers.

We were disappointed that Doug Bachelor’s Sabbath School Study Hour was cancelled and are exploring potential replacements in 2023. We are also updating our children’s programming, creating new shows and continuing to produce Valley Viewpoint.

Each day I am reminded how important it is to discover and produce programming that will connect with audiences. From young to old, from those who know Jesus and those who have never met Him all are precious in His sight.

With every decision, we focus on finding a way to share His love as far and wide as possible.

Lowell Mann Content Delivery Manager

Blue Mountain Broadcasting produced content is designed to connect with the region through varied topics. Valley Viewpoint and the Secret Life Series are specifially designed to appeal to viewers who are not necessarily seeking spiritual content, while Daily Bread offers messages of spiritual hope to those who may be searching. This Week focuses on news of interest to our donors and volunteers.

We completed two seasons of Secret Life of the Desert in 2022 and it is on the current schedule. In 2023, production resources focus on a new show that features in-depth viewer-centric exploration of regional resources for topics such as health, culture, community, education and activities. It premieres in September 2023. We are also reworking This Week to deliver it more easily across platforms.

Become an Essential Piece of the Big Picture

Community-supported television. What is that support exactly?

Well, what it is, depends on what a supporter can offer! Blue Mountain Broadcasting is blessed with many gifts of time and treasure from volunteers to viewers, donors, and from creating content to broadcast.

We are grateful for talented volunteers in the studio, in productions, support fundraising efforts, work in our office and engineering department and reach out to the community. We are blessed with generous donors and underwriters who provide every penny of the funding that provides viewers with content that elevates and strengthens faith, connection, and health.

As we step into 2023, we are focused on increasing smaller monthly donations and engaging more volunteers. As well as increase viewer engagement, reach beyond the church community, and provide ways to better know Jesus and our neighbors. If you aren’t a donor already, we’d love to have you be part of the Blue Mountain Broadcasting puzzle!

Come join the mission! There are four keys ways to contribute:

Become a new monthly donor as part of our special three-year Watchkeeper Campaign with a monthly gift between $5 to $100, and invite your friends!

Recruit volunteers who can share exciting BMT content with the community through viewing events, speaking engagements, bible studies and literature delivery.

Connect with donors and volunteers interested in participating in finishing of the Wallula Studio, master control and offices.

Invite friends to contribute to our annual fund and encourage businesses you frequent to become underwriters.

To learn more about how you can be an active part of providing the community a way to spend time with Jesus, some for the first time, visit bluemountainbroadcasting.org or call our office at 509-529-9149.There has been incredible progress this year and we are awestruck by what He has accomplished. As we embark on 2023, we continue to lean on the plans He has for us.

The 2022 Team

Employees

Lynelle Ellis Executive Director

Elaine Hinshaw Creative & Development Director

Carmen Kearns Executive Assistant

Lowell Mann Content Delivery Manager

Zach Swena Chief Engineer

Filmmakers

Daniel Biggs Secret Life of the Desert

Board of Directors

Lynelle Ellis President (on leave)

Steve Walikonis Vice President

James Forsyth Secretary

Ben Weidemann Treasurer

Shirley Anderson

Kim Boyd

Todd Brandenburg

Keith Carlin

Rubem Garcia

Marv Hansen

Richard Jenkins

Roger Johnson

Dustin Jones

Calvin Rick

Gary Rittenbach

Hanscar Rodriguez

Jose Segovia

Interns

Heidi Arnot Development Photographer

Alex Murcia Editor

Key Volunteers

Jerry Bobbit Information Technology

Keith Carlin Project Manger

Don Crumley Engineering

Jim Forsyth Engineering

Mikel Potts Content Delivery

Roman Hintz Camera

Allan Payne Camera

Bruce Mooney Camera

Tony Beard Director

Christopher Kellie Graphics

Hosts & Presenters

Lynelle Ellis This Week

Lowell Mann Daily Bread

Andreas Baccai Daily Bread

John Ash Daily Bread

Dan Solis Valley Viewpoint

Julie Sanders-Keymer Valley Viewpoint

Mike Denney Secret Life of the Desert

A heartfelt thank you to the many volunteers and donors who have contributed hundreds of hours and thousands of dollars this year. You have given viewers in this region the opportunity to spend time with Jesus, some for the first time. From cameras and phone answering, to events and facilities your contribution is an incredible gift to this region and an essential part of this mission. We are grateful, inspired and energized by your commitment.

Blue Mountain Broadcasting Association