ANNUAL REPORT 2021: Crank Up the Joy
Encouraging everyone we encounter to take one step closer to Christ.
2
Many different words, thoughts and feelings would be shared if I could ask each WGTS listener what the year 2021 was like for them. Every person experienced the year in their own, unique way. But there is something that brings each listener, donor, team member and board member together—a common love for God and our desire to ensure that others learn of and grow in him. This 2021 Annual Report provides just a snapshot in numbers and images of all that you were a part of as you listened, participated, and gave generously to ensure that WGTS continues and flourishes during a difficult season for our region. As you turn the pages, please open your heart to God’s voice as he encourages you and shows you how your financial investment in WGTS made a difference. Your investment has allowed your WGTS team to serve our community in ways we could only dream of five years ago. Your generosity has made it happen! For instance, funding the new evening program NightLight, re-establishing a strong in-person community presence, adding several team leaders who come with inspiring ideas and vision, and adding a new huge radio station on the Eastern Shore— WGBZ 88.3! And there is so much more to come! Our conversations with you (donors and listeners) continue to inspire us daily to reach higher, to look further down the road, and to dig deeper into what it means to be a Christ follower and to invite others to do the same. Thank you for being partners and investors in ministry to the Nation’s Capital and well beyond. Bottom line—your donations continue to change lives for Christ, and that’s a very good thing. With gratitude,
Kevin Krueger
1
ON-AIR
4,420 Local listeners heard on the air with our teams sharing their stories, their laughter, their worries, their opinions and knowledge On-air host Claude Jennings
2
Morning co-host Jerry Woods
131,400
encouraging, messagefilled songs aired
Your station is a blessing to me. I feel the joy of the Lord coming from your station.
The station has been a source of hope for me for many years.
366,800
weekly over-the-air listeners within the Baltimore and Washington, D.C., region
15
number of programming team members working daily to bring the best possible ministry broadcast to the Nation’s Capital
#12
overall rank in Washington, D.C., of all radio* *for listeners ages 6-plus
3
ON-AIR Today in Hope at 7:10 and
9:10 a.m. on the Morning Show with Jerry Woods and Blanca Vega
A daily dose of encouragement through stories of hope
400 games
of Bible or Not with Johnny and Stacey Exploring and learning scripture in a creative way
4
WGTS has been my hope and encouragement, especially when I got to work. I’m a teacher and sometimes I leave work stressed. But I turn on the radio and it brings my spirits up.
Breakaway programs and podcasts with local, regional and national guests with host Kevin Krueger on Saturday and Sunday mornings from 9–11 a.m. Breakaway is the longest running community affairs program in Washington D.C., having aired for more than 60 years.
8,760
hours of life-changing programming
Breakaway host Kevin Krueger and producer Claude Jennings
40 videos
Evening host Brandi Lanai
with our on-air staff and others sharing words of hope and encouragement
Use your phone to scan this QR code and watch these videos.
5
ON-AIR Thank you WGTS for always getting me through the hard times and motivating me to be better every day!
365 Verse of the Day to encourage and inspire listeners
731
children sponsored during our Days of Compassion on-air event
52 6
Health Tips
at 7:40 a.m. on Wednesday with a health care professional
Tips have included information on nutrition, excercise, heart health, and mental health
You can find the Verse of the Day on our website, the app, Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter.
EASTERN SHORE EXPANSION
20 Years in the Making
This 50,000-watt station covers the Maryland and Delaware beach communities with daily messages of God’s love and hope. Use your phone to scan this QR code and listen to the sign-on.
I visit the Eastern Shore several times a year, where I feel especially close to God. As I peer out into the ocean, I sit in my beach chair and count my blessings. How wonderful to be able to do that while listening to my favorite radio station.
WGTS engineer Joshua Pierce
WGBZ 88.3 signed on the air in June and covers the Eastern Shore with the music and programming of WGTS 91.9.
7
ON THE GROUND
1 Hands & Heart event
at Tysons Corner Hyatt Regency Hotel to raise money for Haitian orphans
Morning hosts Jerry and Blanca and midday host Becky rappelled 17 stories.
8
6,000 listeners
at Tysons Corner Center Mall for Matthew West live summer concert
13,000
attendees for virtual concert with Sidewalk Prophets
5,600 pounds of food collected and 6,570 diapers during spring food/diaper drives to help DMV families in need
6,000 listeners
joined us for concerts with Micah Tyler & Mercy Me in the spring and for Newsboys in the fall
9
ON THE GROUND
1 Night of Hope held in-person at the Capital Turnaround in downtown D.C.
featuring an encouraging message from Charles A. Tapp and music from Christian artist Hope Darst
Pastor Charles Tapp
I’ve listened to WGTS for 12 years. You’ve got me through very tough times. I truly feel like the hosts and staff at WGTS are family.
50
days with tens of thousands of free meals and drinks given—just to make someone’s day. 10
Area pastors pray with WGTS listeners
WGTS producer Tom Miner and producer Claude Jenning’s son, Manny, helped raise over
$18,000
for the Salvation Army Red Kettle Drive
6,000 ice cream treats served in Burke, Virginia; Gaithersburg, Maryland; and at the Tysons Corner Center Matthew West concert
11
ONLINE
9.4 million impressions 571,000 engagements 732,000 video views 80,000 followers
*These numbers include information about online streaming and listeners
1,602,654 Prayers prayed by listeners for other listeners on PrayerWorks since we began the ministry in 2011
12
161,683
Prayer requests submitted
40,690
notes that were sent to listeners posting a request
ple o e P r ons Praye s a Re uest Req ng eali H 3 o b 3 Jo mily o 3 Fa rriage o a 3 M ancial n o n 3 Fi otectio o 3 Pr o
330,000
people listened on our app, website or using a smart speaker
5.6 million
total online listening hours
260
Live prayer times on Facebook with afternoon host Stacey Stone
13
AWARDS
National Association of Broadcasters Marconi Awards
WGTS received one of the highest radio honors this year— the National Association of Broadcasters Marconi Award for “Religious Station of the Year” award. In addition, we were recognized with the “Radio Podcast of the Year” award for the podcast “We Need to Talk,” hosted by Claude Jennings and Jerry Woods. The podcast addressed issues of race in America and emphasized bringing people from different backgrounds together. “We are honored to receive these awards, and we feel blessed by the support of our listening family. It is our privilege to offer programming that is Always Encouraging,” says president and CEO Kevin Krueger.
14
Use your phone to scan this QR code and listen to podcast “We Need to Talk.”
Award for Best Christian Workplace
For the second year in a row, WGTS 91.9 has been named a Best Christian Workplace by the Best Christian Workplaces Institute (BCWI).
15
FINANCIAL 15,311 donors 105,966 donations
Midday host Becky Alignay
Restricted
$734,528
(Eastern Shore purchase of WGBZ)
Unrestricted
$8,032,630
$8,767,158
Total income from all sources
16
WGTS is listener-supported and through generous donations is able to stay strong in our ministry for families. The complete audited financial report will be available on the website in early July. Scan this QR code to go to our “FInancial Accountability” page on our website.
Morning co-host Jerry Woods
fundraising
TOTA L
$421,326
ES S N PE X E
8 programming
$5,968,798
administrative and governance
$631,990
board of directors Charles A. Tapp, Chair Kevin Krueger, President Duane Dorch, Treasurer Donald Martin, Secretary Hanna Blake Celeste Ryan Blyden Lerone Carson Terry Johnsson Dan Loukota Bill Miller Kermit Netteburg Greg Scott
WGTS has been accredited by the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability, who provides this status to leading organizations who uphold standards for financial accountability, transparency, fundraising, and board governance.
17
Let’s Pray Together! Our team and other listeners are ready to pray for you. Visit When We Pray at wgts919.com or call the station’s prayer line at 800-700-1094.
We thank God for you all the time and pray for you. 1 Thessalonians 1:2
2099 Gaither Road, Suite 105 Rockville, MD 20850 202.902.6000 | wgts919.com
18