Let It Go

Many Miami-Dade Christians are upset because this past year, Christian radio station FM 89.7 WMCU was sold to America Public Media Group for 20 million dollars. They, in turn, made it a classical radio station. I have personally received numerous pleas from local residents that I join a campaign to "save" WMCU by writing to the FCC to block this transaction. One person who visited (but never joined) my church left when I refused to make the "Save WMCU" campaign a major Sunday morning issue behind the pulpit. (Good riddens, right?) Today is the cherry on top of the cake. The Christian Family Coalition is actually trying to rally Christians to persuade the Attorney General to prosecute Trinity International University, the former owner of WMCU, for selling their own station! Now that the transaction is complete, they argue, we should punish TIU for daring to think that there might be better things to do with 20 million dollars than run an FM Christian radio station. Here is the letter I received from CFC. (My reply follows.)

Trinity International Foundation (TIF) a subsidiary of Trinity International University (TIU) sold radio station WMCU/WKCP 89.7 FM for 20 million dollars to American Public Media Group (APMG). The FCC license has been transferred and the money has been paid to the college.

The Christian programming has been replaced with classical.

Many have sent email, Fax and letters complaining to the parent organizations of the former radio station which are Trinity International University (TIU) and The Evangelical Free Church of America (EFCA), but Trinity simply does not care about Christian Radio in South Florida. They made it plain and simple - They wanted the money not the radio ministry.

We are now asking those opposed to the sale of WMCU/WKCP to contact Bill McCollum, Attorney General of Florida. He has the authority to investigate and bring civil and criminal charges against TIF, TIU and APMG. Maybe if criminal charges are brought against the board of directors of these two parties the station can be returned to Christian programming.

This is urgent. Please email, call and Fax the Attorney General of Florida, Bill McCollum.

Here is the reply I sent...

You have got to be kidding. TIU has every right to decide if $20 million dollars could further God’s kingdom in greater ways than a local radio station. They made what appears to be a wise, Godly decision. The truth is, FM radio is going the way of the black and white TV. Soon, we’ll all be listening to satellite radio and you’ll be amazed that TIU was able to “steal” 20 million dollars in exchange for a sinking ship. It would be incredibly bad stewardship for them to turn down that kind of money for something that is only going to be useful for a few short years. You need to get with the program, get satellite radio and you’ll have all the Christian radio you want, only better because there are many Christian stations to choose from and no commercials. Please give up this silly endeavor. It is embarrassing for Christians to act so irrationally.

Sorry if I'm coming across as harsh, but it's partly because I know I'll get a dozen emails from folks who got their email who think it's a great idea to write the Attorney General of Florida in hopes of a lawsuit. Please, if you get this request, don't waste your time writing such letters and please don't forward it to other Christians.