WGTS Annual Report 2022

Encouraging everyone we encounter to take one step closer to Christ.

Dear WGTS friend,

Summarizing this always-on media ministry is a challenging endeavor, but it is important as it holds your WGTS team and board of directors accountable. As listeners fund this ministry, we must approach our work as being accountable to you.

In the following pages, you’ll see a number of data points, a variety of photos and lists, and inspiring testimonials from listeners. Taken together, these elements paint a picture of the ministry through different lenses, as accountability is seen through different lenses—different angles. My prayer is that you’ll be able to catch a glimpse of the powerful difference your giving makes to hundreds of thousands of listeners every week. It is truly Always Encouraging and life-changing.

This publication also presents an opportunity to unveil a few of our plans for 2023 (see page 23). Our team is already rolling with a level of community engagement not seen since 2019—and we couldn’t be happier for it!

Your giving makes a powerful difference to hundreds of thousands of listeners every week.

God has entrusted us all (listeners, donors, team members, board of directors) with a tremendous tool for telling others about Jesus and His love for them. The year ahead is about engaging with more people that we ever have before in a 12-month period.

In the year ahead, numerous engagement initiatives and strategies will bring thousands more into the WGTS listening family. In the year ahead, you will see the community of WGTS grow—in the Nation’s Capital, on the Eastern Shore, and online—everywhere. It’s exciting to consider all that God will bring about as we commit our hearts to Him. Please join me in that commitment in this very moment.

May God bless you, as you have blessed so many others with your faithful financial support to WGTS.

With gratitude,

Kevin Krueger President and CEO

ON THE AIR

420

WGTS callers heard on the air with our teams sharing their stories, their laughter, their worries, their opinions and knowledge

Afternoon host Johnny Stone

131,400

encouraging, messagefilled songs aired

It’s a blessing to hear such a Christ-centered radio station whenever I turn on my radio.

WGTS has lifted my spirits when I would have been down otherwise.

399,800

weekly over-the-air listeners within the Baltimore and Washington, D.C., region

17

number of programming team members working daily to bring the best possible ministry broadcast to the Nation’s Capital

#5

overall rank in Washington, D.C., of all radio*

*for listeners ages 6-plus

ON THE AIR

5 YEARS

of Placing the Bible Front & Center WGTS encouraging listeners to learn more—on a daily basis— about the Bible. Our programming includes the game Bible or Not hosted by Johnny and Stacey and the Verse of the Day.

400

games of Bible or Not with Johnny and Stacey

Exploring and learning scripture in a creative way

365 Verse of the Day to encourage and inspire listeners

You can hear the Verse of the Day on-air and find it on our website, the app, Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter.

I deal with depression and I know that listening brings positivity to my heart and spirit and mental health. WGTS is my pick-me-up!

Breakaway is the longest running community affairs program in Washington, D.C., having aired for more than 60 years.

52

Health Tips at 7:40 a.m. on Wednesday with an Adventist HealthCare professional

Breakaway programs and podcasts with local, regional and national guests with host Kevin Krueger on Saturday and Sunday mornings from 9–11 a.m.

8,760

hours of life-changing programming

On-air hosts

Breakaway host Kevin Krueger

Becky and Brandi

ON THE AIR

10 artists visit WGTS studios, creating connections with listeners

Austin French

Blessing Offor

Brandon Heath

CAIN

Colton Dixon

Dan Bremnes

Josh Havens

Mac Powell

Steven Curtis Chapman

TobyMac

3 1-minute devotionals

artists recorded to bring encouragement and inspiration to listeners.

Scan the QR code to watch artist devotionals.

I’ve realized how much I need others to encourage me. God made us for relationship with each other, to encourage one another, to cheer each other on…

—Steven Curtis Chapman

Today in Hope at 7:10 and 9:10 a.m. on the Morning Show

A daily dose of encouragement through stories of hope

26 “Words of Hope” videos

done by our staff to give listeners hope and encouragement with words from the Bible

You are our constant soundtrack—homeschool, in the car, even leave it on for the dog when we leave.

Words of Hope videos started in 2015.

EASTERN SHORE

In June, WGBZ 88.3 marked its 1-year anniversary and in July, we celebrated with a Blessing Offor concert in Ocean City, Maryland.

I am so grateful for your station in Ocean City, Maryland, and on the Eastern Shore. I moved to the Ocean City area in 2021 from the Washington, D.C., area. I pastor the St. George Greek Orthodox Church on the Coastal Highway in Ocean City. I’ve been a pastor here full-time after being an interim pastor.

While incarcerated in Delaware for 90 days, I was able to get a radio and your station 88.3 came through loud and clear. My friends in Maryland had talked about you for years. Your station was truly a God-send and my salvation while I was there. I wasn’t the only one listening either. Thanks to all the people who helped to get you on the Eastern Shore.

God has really used WGTS in my life to convey his message to me.

I know that he’s going to take care of me, no matter what obstacles come my way.

Karen Carrie Monica Cristine

EXPANDING THE MINISTRY

AllWorship.com, which offers online Christian music, became a part of WGTS 91.9 this past fall.

“For almost two decades, AllWorship.com has provided worship music to the global community,” says Kevin Krueger, President and CEO of WGTS 91.9 FM. “We are excited about the opportunity of continuing to offer and grow the ministry of AllWorship.com. We want to build on their legacy as we work to provide a place to focus on worship.”

A new Director of Digital Programming, Therese Romano, is now in place to help this area grow by creating and coordinating existing and new digital content.

President and CEO Kevin Krueger, Chief Financial Officer Ebenezer Asiem (left), and Executive Director of Strategic Initiatives Mike Agee (right), sign the contract for the purchase of AllWorship.com.

ON THE GROUND

40,000 diapers and wipes

20,000 emergency kits for Ukrainian refugees

10,000 toys

835 children sponsored through Compassion International

100 pairs of pajamas

50 Drive-Thru Difference days

WGTS listeners gave over 10,000 toys during the Toys for Tots campaign in Arlington, Va., and at a concert. These toys were given to families in need, just in time for Christmas.

600 listeners for Night of Hope

at the Intercontinental Church in Olney, Maryland, featuring the testimony of WGTS afternoon host Johnny Stone and music from Christian artist Matt Maher. Also a time when listeners could connect and pray with a pastor or volunteer.

Scan the QR code to listen to Johnny’s testimony at Night of Hope.

ON THE GROUND

DANNY GOKEY FORKING AND COUNTRY MATTHEW WEST

10 concerts attended by more than held at churches, arenas, the beach, and the top of the parking garage at the WGTS studios

CLEMMONS

28,000 listeners

20,000 bumper stickers handed to listeners to help spread the word about WGTS

5,000 ice cream treats served during the summer months at concerts and other gatherings

ONLINE

1,703,185

Prayers prayed by listeners for other listeners on When We Pray since we began the ministry in 2011.

8.4 million video views

engagements

476,000 impressions

561,000 followers

80,000

*These numbers include information about online streaming and listeners

169,387

Prayer requests submitted

ReasonsPeople RequestPrayer

o Healing

o Job

3 3 3 3 3 3

o Family

o Marriage

o Financial

o Protection

3.8 million

total online listening hours

450,000 people listened on our app, website or using a smart speaker

1.7 million

listening hours on the app

INTERNS

3 Interns who received university credit and learned about media programming, marketing, fundraising, and leadership. Their time over the summer was split between helping at the office and in the field interacting with listeners.

“It is important to us to make this investment in young people, giving them the opportunity to explore a career in media and ministry. They bring fresh ideas and different perspectives, making it good for them and good for us, as we grow this ministry.”

—Mike Agee, director of the program and executive director of strategic initiatives

Tom Ozio, Lindsey Gispert, and Josseline Q. Ayala

AWARDS

Award for Best Christian Workplace

For the third year in a row, WGTS 91.9 has been named a Best Christian Workplace by the Best Christian Workplaces Institute (BCWI).

14,449

100,761

$7,962,795.68

Total income from all sources

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.

Midday host Becky Alignay

TOTALEXPENSES

8% 12% 80%

fundraising

$595,083 administrative and governance

$892,625 programming

$5,950,834

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

Kermit Netteburg

Greg Scott

1,037 coffee packs

8,851 gratitude journals

1,269 t-shirts given to generous listeners

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.

A YEAR OF ENGAGEMENT: COMING TOGETHER

We’re looking forward to a year of increased engagement in all areas – on the air, online and on the ground. We are deepening our community connection with you and bringing the message of God’s love and grace.

I heard Summer’s testimony this morning and it brought me to tears. I’ve been dealing with depression since Oct. 11, 2002. I’m doing better. What Summer said hit me, and I went to the living room to write it down. She said, “Dare to trust that He’sgotthis!” Thankyou!

Jerry and Summer, morning co-hosts with producer Claude Jennings

ON THE AIR

2on-air hosts joining our team to bring hope and encouragement to listeners in the morning hours and in the evening hours

Suzanne Lynne, host of NightLight (evenings 7pm-12 am)

2023

ONLINE

AllWorship.com, with several channels, ranging from contemporary, to instrumental, to Spanish worship, and more, was purchased in 2022 and is already showing growth that will only increase this year, reaching more listeners with the messages of Christ.

I’m blessed by the music of AllWorship.com.

Many times, I have been introduced to a song that I didn’t know and I fall in love with it!

100,000

hours of listening each month on all channels

To have100 Hands and Heart volunteers by the end of 2023.

ON THE GROUND 2023

You’ll experience Sticker Stops, Ice Cream Tour stops, visits to schools and churches, and much more. Our Community Engagement staff has grown and our volunteer staff is growing too.