Monument Hill, N.C. -- Pastor Ronald James of Monument Evangelical Church says the idea came to him while meditating about world outreach missions before a lecture. "I won't say it was a revalation exactly, but I had been discussing ways to reach some of the Church's shut-ins just the day before this lecture, and it occured to me that one of our members who works at a neaby radio station might be able to help. That's when I discovered how easy it was to build and broadcast our own radio station." reports the Pastor. "We discovered a company in Raleigh that had the equipment, learned how to use it, and now we reach the entire world with our Christian method." Pastor James said his in-church radio station broadcast over the World Wide Web and provides Christian programming in three languages, with more languages to be added as the program expands. "You'd be surprised how many people listen all across the world. This is the finest missionary tool I have ever seen, and I believe God has great plans for our minitry as we grow," he reports. Monument Evangelical Church operates their in-church station from the Pastor's study and programs several music shows as well as broadcasting Sunday morning services and a prayer group meeting each week. "And we have more plans for the radio. We hope to have guest speakers from area Church groups, evangelists from time to time, and special holiday programming when appropriate, like Easter Morning sunrise services," he says. In addition to the obvious missionary benefits, James says he is pleased - and surprised - that the church's radio operation doesn't take a big bite out of the Church budget. "In all honesty, we spend less on operating our radio station 24 hours a day than it costs to keep the lights on. I think we paid less than $3,000 for the entire set up, and it's been a bargain for us to operate from month-to-month," he added. Monument Church is just one in a long line of chruches turning to in-church broadcasting as a way to reach home-bound members, new members, and to minister to the world. Independent research firm Temple-Schecter of Macon reports nearly 5% of chruches nationwide are currently broadcasting, a trend that is growing. A recent study indicates as many as 25% of churches in America may get into church-broadcasting before the end of the decade. "For the money you can't beat it. It's what we were intended to do, to preach to the world. And radio has empowered us to reach every corner," James reports. LOST PLANET MEDIA OUTSOURCE BROADCASTING Pioneering Broadcast Solutions for the Business World