ANNUAL REPORT 2020: A Year of Connection
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Encouraging everyone we encounter to take one step closer to Christ.
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No one could have predicted the depth of loss experienced in 2020. What is predictable are the many ways in which God is present when we go through difficult moments, which He clearly did for us in 2020. Last year brought WGTS 91.9 listeners together in a way that has never happened before. We came together under the caring umbrella of God’s love and grace. This report shares highlights of the year, but it is challenging in an annual report to capture all that we felt as God worked through this radio station each day. I invite you to reflect on how God was present in your life in 2020. Listeners have told us that through this ministry, God granted the ability to focus and He provided comfort and companionship. Through WGTS 91.9, God brought hope through a lyric, through conversation, scripture shared, through the stories of listeners reminding us we were not alone. As you reflect on a challenging year, it is my prayer that you’ll see how God worked through WGTS 91.9 to keep you going strong – even in your most difficult moments. It is my prayer that we can focus on gratitude and love. Thank you for your financial donations that kept this ministry strong for you, your family, and your neighbors. You’ll see in this report that our ranking in the Washington, D.C., metro region was lower in 2020 than in previous years, but giving remained strong, allowing this ministry to grow and prepare for the listening comeback that is well underway. Your donations changed lives throughout the Nation’s Capital region in an incredible way – a way that is not easily quantified. Thank you for your generosity and commitment to, “Encourage everyone we encounter to take one step closer to Christ.” With gratitude,
Kevin Krueger
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ON-AIR
131,400
encouraging, messagefilled songs aired
Local listeners heard on the air with our teams sharing their stories, their laughter, their worries, their opinions and knowledge
4,420 2
Listening to this station keeps me grounded. It calms my nerves and offer peace at all times. Morning co-host Jerry Woods
2018
*See manager’s message on page 1.
344,600
484,400
overall rank in Washington, D.C. of all radio*
weekly over-the-air listeners within Washington, D.C., region
521,400
WGTS makes my day brighter, even when times are tough.
2019
2020
NOTE: Despite the decrease in number of listeners, we continued to have more listeners than the national average.
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ON-AIR
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number of programming team members working daily to bring the best possible ministry broadcast to the Nation’s Capital
400 games
of Bible or Not with Johnny & Stacey
Exploring and learning scripture in a creative way
I drive for Lyft part time after working in a critical environment, and this station helps me stay calm. A major relief in my day. My pastors even ask what station I listen to.
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Today in Hope at 7:10 and
9:10 a.m. on the Morning Show with Jerry Woods and Blanca Vega
8,760
hours of life-changing programming
A daily dose of encouragement through stories of hope
32 videos
with our on-air staff and listeners sharing words of hope and encouragement
Use your phone to scan this QR code and watch these videos.
Mid-day host Becky Alignay
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ON-AIR
840
children sponsored during our Days of Compassion on-air event
Since I have moved to the U.S., I did not want to disconnect from God. I was scrolling through the radio stations and came across WGTS 91.9 and have not stopped listening ever since. I love WGTS and the impact it has on my life and my family!
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Hope-Filled Fridays
A whole day devoted to programs and prayer in recognition of health care workers, teachers and students
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Virtual Homeroom Greetings
at 7:50 am. to say the Pledge of Allegiance and start the school day for students
290 Verse of the Day to encourage and inspire listeners
Health Tips
at 7:40 a.m. on Wednesday with a health care professional
Tips have included information on nutrition, sun safety, heart health, and mental health
You can read the Verse of the Day on our website, the app, Facebook, Instagram, or Twtter.
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EVENTS
6,000
attendees for Jeremy Camp/ Mercy Me concert in February
3,000 women
at Dare To Be with Natalie Grant and Charlotte Gambill in January
1 thank you day
at Shady Grove Hospital to recognize the service and kindness of frontline health care workers
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Afternoon hosts Johnny and Stacey Stone
2 toy collection events
to bring hundreds of toys to DMV families in need
Every day I get in the car after a long day at work and the right song is on the radio to be able to get home and be in the right mindset for my family.
100 viewers
who requested Bible studies following our Night of Hope message given by Darren Mulligan of Christian group We Are Messengers
Morning hosts Blanca Vega and Jerry Woods introducing virtual Matthew West concert
40,000
listening families who joined us for three virtual events with Matthew West, Unspoken and Casting Crowns
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EVENTS My husband and I are both in the military and ever since we’ve been stationed here this is the only station we listen to. It gives us hope and positivity everyday, especially on the days we can’t be together because of a mission. Thank you!
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days with tens of thousands of free meals and drinks given – just to make someone’s day.
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14 “Fill the Pantry”
food drives to help families in the DMV
14 tons of food
collected from generous WGTS listeners
I moved to Maryland in 2014 and couldn’t find a church. I have since found one. However, while I was searching for a church, I saw a bumper sticker for your station. I started listening, and learned to worship the Lord in spirit and in truth.
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ONLINE
14 million 954,000
impressions to Facebook content
engagements on Facebook
*These numbers include information about online streaming and listeners
170,268 Prayer requests submitted
1,463,684 Prayers prayed by listeners for other listeners on PrayerWorks since we began the ministry in 2011
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39,939
notes that were sent to listeners posting a request
(since 2019, the average number of prayers prayed per request increased from 12 to 15)
330,000
people listened on our app, website or using a smart speaker
2020
total online listening hours 6,097,958
2019 2018 2017
le eop r P 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
2,174,683
4,748,227
1,583,561
205
Live prayer times on Facebook with afternoon host Stacey Stone
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AWA R D S Award for Community Service
WGTS was recognized in 2020 by the Christian Music Broadcasters association, receiving the “Community Service Award,” for outstanding effort in community service. Hands and Heart projects, which have included campaigns for Mother’s Day cards, backpacks, and socks in 2019, were generously supported by listeners. “We are honored. And we’re so thankful for listeners that engage in serving others,” says general manager Kevin Krueger.
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Award for Best Christian Workplace
WGTS staff are a team who love to serve. And it is this attribute and others that earned WGTS 91.9 the title of “Certified Best Christian Workplace” from the Best Christian Workplaces Institute in 2020. The certification is given to businesses based on overall engagement, as well as eight other factors such as “Fantastic Teams,” “Life-Giving Work,” “Outstanding Talent,” and “Healthy Communication.”
Morning team Spencer White, Blanca Vega, Jerry Woods, and Claude Jennings
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FINANCIAL 16,286
108,386
$7,706,984
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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.
Morning co-host Jerry Woods
board of directors
23,400 calls from our
listeners to our front desk and studios where they can talk with our on-air hosts
1,300 commuter
mugs and coffee given to generous listeners
Robert Vandeman, 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 Charles Tapp
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.
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2099 Gaither Road, Suite 105 | Rockville, MD 20850 202.902.6000 | wgts919.com
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At the start of the pandemic, WGTS 91.9 was given the oportunity by Clear Channel to design a billboard message of hope that was then shared on digital billboards around the region.