Results From The June Bible Drive
Dave Andrews • July 23, 2020
Helping Others See Clearly Through God's Word
When the staff at KJOL first considered a Bible Drive this year, it was before COVID hit the country. It was originally dreamed up at the start of 2020 as part of our theme for our April 2020 Friendraiser. Ken Andrews recommended a Bible Drive, as part of our theme, 2020 Vision. The staff as one loved the idea and were immediately drawn to it, but we didn't want to sideline the Bible Drive for the Friendraiser, and visa-versa, so we decided to put it off until the following month, May 2020, to put more effort into it and do it right.
Then came March. COVID hit, and we started to realize God had been strongly leading us in our theme, in our goal to get others into God's Word, and the necessity for God's wisdom in the days we are living in. With that indication of His leading, we went ahead and held our April Spring Friendraiser. He came through. We had one of the best Friendraisers I can remember (and during COVID no less). But when the lock-downs came in May, we decided to let things lay over for a month, and try it in the month of June. It was just the right timing! The COVID rates had stabilized quite a bit in June, variances had been granted to several counties in the area, and we could finally accept walk-in donations.
We were blown away. God called and His people showed up. In total, we estimate around 1800 Bibles
were donated. Think about that. Potentially 1800 lives changed for the Kingdom of God. Thank you so much for answering God's call. Here's the results:
- An estimated 750 Bibles were donated on site at the KJOL Studio, Looney Bean in Montrose, and Ridgeway Community Church.
- $2612.00 was donated for purchasing Bibles for the Bible Drive.
- From funds donated, and because of bulk deals, approximately 1,050 more Bibles were purchased!
- An estimated total of 1800 Bibles donated.
As a result, 7 main ministries were recipients of 100% of the Bible Drive donations. It went farther than we expected too. An eighth ministry was also later added, as we also ended up with roughly 75 extra small New Testaments, which will now be handed out at the Canyon West Food Bank. Please pray for the following recipients, as these Bibles go forth.
American Bible Society- $400, or 80 Bibles donated for various projects, including someone who has never had God’s Word in their language before, an orphan or at-risk child, patient Chinese Christians, people suffering for their faith, and/or a U.S. military member who is defending our freedom.
Bible League International- $400, or 80 Bibles where needed most. Program locations include in Africa, Asia, Europe, Latin America, the Middle East, and the US.
Father 2 The Fatherless International- $400, for purchase of native language Bibles on site in Uganda, Africa. They also received several boxes of your donated English language Bibles for staff in Uganda and local evangelism in the Western Slope.
Gideons International-$400, or 333 Bibles, donated to the Faith Fund, to purchase Bibles for people in countries where they are unable to purchase their own.
Good News Jail & Prison Ministry at the Delta Correctional Center- $400 worth- (6 cases or 144 Bible shipped to ministry). They also received two more cases of Bibles from local on site donations. They just ran out of Bibles and there has been a need for Bibles for inmates.
Love Packages- $225, or 3 cases of Spanish Bibles and 2 cases of ESVs (144 Bibles). Love Packages also was recipient of approx. 50% of the local on-site donations, mailed to their location in IL, and will go out all over the world.
Mesa County Jail Ministry- $400, or an estimated 144 Bibles shipped. MCJM in addition also received some of the the on-site donated Bibles. These will all be used to fulfill inmate requests and for prison Bible studies.
Pictures and testimonies are already starting to come in, including someone being led to the Lord in the Grand Valley this week, and who at the time was given one of the used Bibles donated to this Bible Drive. This new believer promised to read it! Praise God! Just think, one of those used Bibles you donated, which was likely no longer being used, is now going on to play a part in the spiritual formation of someone who just found Christ! Praise God!
Thanks for walking through this door with us. Let's look for more opportunities to serve our King together, because of our mutual our love for Him, and For His Kingdom!
-Dave Andrews
KJOL Station Manager
Our April Spring Friendraiser is officially underway! From time to time on the air, you might hear a gentle reminder to support KJOL in 2026…it’s not a Sharathon…just a time to encourage new friends to come alongside us in ministry to proclaim the Good News of Jesus and God’s Word across the Western Slope.
Fifteen Incredible Easter Songs! Every Easter, I love hearing the wonderful Easter songs, starting with (and ending with) Charles Wesley’s Christ The Lord Is Risen Today . Here are a few of my other favorites that you will hear on KJOL on Easter Sunday. You can no doubt think of many other songs. 2nd Chapter of Acts (also Keith Green) Easter Song Don Francisco He’s Alive Lenny LeBlanc Above All Matt Redman The Cross Has Said It All Newsong Arise My Love Can’t Keep A Good Man Down Phillips, Craig & Dean Crucified With Christ Robin Mark The Wonder of Your Cross (10 minute version!) Ron Kenoly & Hillsongs Australia Jesus Is Alive Larnelle Harris & Sandy Patti I’ve Just Seen Jesus Twila Paris Lamb of God Dallas Holm Rise Again Hillsongs Australia My Redeemer Lives Greg Long Mercy Said No
Many KJOL listeners have indicated they enjoy songs with a country music flair. As it turns out, there are some great songs out right now that fit that description. John Waller & Eric Lee Brumley “ Surprise Me” John Waller is a former worship leader at a church in Parker, Colorado. His songs have been featured in several movies by the Kendrick Brothers: “Fireproof” ( While I’m Waiting ) “Courageous” ( As For Me And My House ) “War Room” ( Crazy Faith ) Eric Lee Brumley grew up in Rhode Island. His life was turned around when he got involved with Teen Challenge and began writing songs. He sings “blue, rock and Americana Gospel.” Caleb & John “ Finished ” Caleb & John are an unlikely collaboration. Caleb Crino is a pastor’s kid who studied classical piano at Belmont University, while John Secker is a self-taught guitarist. John’s style “leans toward the gritty, rootsy side” while “Caleb’s sweet spot is in pop melodies.” They met through a mutual friend while performing with CAIN and Anne Wilson. Their big hits are “ Somebody Like Me ” and “ Hallelujah Feeling .” Ben Fuller & Carrie Underwood “ If It Was Up To Me ” Last October, Ben Fuller was a guest at the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville, singing his new song “If It Was Up To Me.” Then he introduced a surprise guest on stage: Carrie Underwood. Their voices blended perfectly in a spellbinding performance (which you can see in the link above). The Band Reeves “ My Country ” The Band Reeves is two brothers, Jeramy and Cody Reeves of East Texas. Their newest song is “a heartfelt anthem celebrating faith, family, and the everyday values that define Band Reeves — two brothers who are everyday family men with calluses on their hands and Bible verses in their songs.” They arrived on the music scene in 2022 with their hit “ Higher Than The Heavens .”
The staff and I step into the month of February with a little trepidation but leaning on God. Coming out of maybe the busiest year in my memory, the pattern continues into this month. We look ahead to some challenging projects and hard anniversaries. We would love your prayers.
The new movie “ I Can Only Imagine 2 ” is now showing in Grand Junction. It is a sequel to the highly successful first movie, “ I Can Only Imagine ” (2018) which was inspired by the title song about how MercyMe lead singer Bart Millard reconciled with his alcoholic father. Even before that movie came out, Millard was on tour (2017) with his 15 year old son, Sam, who is diabetic. But while MercyMe was having tremendous success, Millard’s relationship with both his son and his wife was strained. “When you're a parent of a child with any kind of chronic illness, these things don't go away. You have a lot of good days, but some days you feel like you're losing bad. I was in the midst of one of those bad days when 'Even If' was written," Millard recalled. “ Even If ” was co-written with Tim Timmons, who had joined MercyMe on tour. Millard discovered that Timmons was carrying his own hardships and secrets. When film director Andy Erwin (October Baby, Jesus Revolution) heard “Even If” he was blown away. "I never dreamed there was more story to tell — until we heard the story behind 'Even If.' Learning how Tim and Bart co-wrote that song out of deep, lived faith moved us to tears; the honesty and hope woven through each of their journeys are undeniable. (Filmmaker) Brent (McCorkle) and I knew immediately that 'I Can Only Imagine' truly deserved a sequel." A new song written for the movie, “ Make It Well ,” expresses even more pain and struggle. Make it well with my soul Don’t let me face this loneliness alone Make it well with my soul I need a peace that only heaven knows Jesus could you please Just sit and cry with me Till I can sing It is well with my soul I Can Only Imagine 2 opened Feb 19 at the Regal Canyon View theater and The Picture Show in Grand Junction
KJOL added 118 new songs in 2025. That’s a new song every three days! The list included a number of great new artists. Megan Woods ( The Truth ) 24 year old from Massachusetts who overcame an abusive relationship after a friend introduced her to Jesus John Wesley ( Oh, What a Friend ) Not the hymnwriter! John Wesley Honaker is a worship leader in Florida. Rachel Purcell ( Show Up ) A native of Muscle Schoals, Alabama (home of a famous recording studio), Purcell is also a country musician under her maiden name Rachel Wammack Emerson Day ( God Ain’t Finished Yet ) (album version!) She graduated as a “decorated lacrosse player” with a degree in homeland security. But instead, she felt called to pursue Christian music. Jamie MacDonald ( Desperate ) A Michigan native who met Jesus at youth camp, left home and forgot Jesus, returned to the Lord in her 20s. Peter Burton ( Where Would I Be ) He started Thrive Worship at Bayside Church in Sacramento with Lincoln Brewster. Now he is a solo artist with Story House Collective, managed by Matthew West. (Bonus for the guys: the video features a 1975 Chevy Blazer with a custom 409 engine!) Jet Trouble ( I Need You ) The most unusual name in our repertoire! He is a Dallas based musician whose full name is James E. Troublefield (J.E.T.). And he knows about trouble: his father was diagnosed with ALS and died, inspiring “I Need You.” And we can’t discuss 2025 without mentioning one more notable artist. Forrest Frank In July, he was playing with his daughter in his driveway when he crashed his skateboard and broke two vertebrae! While lying in bed, he composed the song “ God’s Got My Back! ” Then two weeks later, tests revealed his back was healed! He later decided not to attend the Dove Awards, saying “I will not receive a trophy for something that is from Jesus and for Jesus.” He swept the Dove Awards anyway: Artist of the Year, Album of the Year, and Song of the Year ( Your Way’s Better ).
