On Saturday 27th October 2001, at 8 am, Radio Grove II was launched. The technical team held their breath and finally let it out again when Pastor Wilson’s voice was heard loud and clear over the air waves on 106.2 FM.

There followed two busy days of comings and goings at the Grove on the Beersbridge Rd, Belfast. Many church folk were involved, from the very young participants in Parent and Toddlers or Sunday School, to some of our senior members who either spoke or sang of God’s work in their lives. Some guests and friends from outside the church also took part. Those not directly participating in the broadcasts were faithful in the vital prayer support needed for this venture. Meanwhile, the ladies who provided the catering certainly were instrumental in keeping things rolling (including a few of us who nearly rolled out two days later!) Pastor was provided with a five star breakfast, when Mary Latimer brought a tray over the road from her own home! Soon after, Ruby Patterson’s cream scones made a welcome arrival!

However, the hearts’ desire of all of us was to reach those outside our walls with the gospel. There had been a lot of hard work put in by the publicity team in the weeks before the broadcast, and with the help of our young people, thousands of leaflets had been distributed. There was much prayer over those homes, that hearts would be prepared by the Holy Spirit to tune in and receive what the Lord would say to them. Local media ‘gave us a plug’ while other Christians in the area also helped in publicising the event.

By Saturday afternoon, some of our young people had developed a taste for manning the request line and did a great job both days. Many of them took part in the evening programming, geared for younger listeners. Similarly, a few of our young guys were a terrific help on the technical side, both in preparation of the equipment and operating the desk in the studio. One or two even trained as tea-boys! It was a huge encouragement to the Pastor and the rest of the church to see the enthusiasm of the younger folk and their willingness to participate.

On Sunday, both our services and Sunday School were broadcast live. Pastor preached at both services and our listeners clearly heard the gospel, and how God could meet them in their own lives. The Grove Male Voice Choir and Mrs Gillian Cooke took part, as did some of our young ladies who made their singing debut! At ten years of age they coped with their nerves much better than the rest of us!

It would be difficult and unfair to select a highlight from the weekend - although Johnny Smyth playing the mouth organ in Sunday School comes to mind! However, I’m sure everyone would agree that one of the best moments was when Jim Boyd testified of His Saviour, one year on from the Lord having saved him through last year’s Radio Grove. To hear of the grace of God and to see the active roles Jim and his wife Ann now have in the Grove fills all our hearts with praise for the "things He has done".

A few months later, there are still those (believers and unbelievers) who will refer to the broadcast in the course of everyday conversation. Some even taped some of the programmes and we keep on praying that those seeds planted will bear fruit, even if we only hear of it in glory.

Linda Adair