Radio Listeners Show Heart for Lebanese Ministry

Phase II of 106.9 the Light’s “Summer of Caring” provides scholarships for 135 children

Asheville, N.C., July 11, 2008 – Listeners of Christian radio station 106.9 the Light poured out support for children’s education in Lebanon yesterday, pledging donations for 135 scholarships. The station dedicated eight hours of airtime Thursday, while volunteers staffed phones, to support the Beirut-based ministry Heart for Lebanon.

Camille Melki, former president of Mediterranean Bible College in Beirut, who founded Heart for Lebanon, was in 106.9 the Light’s studio Thursday communicating live to listeners about the scholarship program’s benefits. Melki said $600 would provide a scholarship for one year for middle-school aged child in war-torn Lebanon. The scholarships reach children from various religious and social backgrounds.

“Once again our listeners demonstrated a remarkable spirit of compassion and generosity for children in Lebanon,” said General Manager Jim Kirkland. “The fundraiser has been a powerful example of how God uses 106.9 the Light, its partners and its listeners to accomplish great things for His kingdom.”

Heart for Lebanon’s scholarship project provides money for children in Lebanon to go to private schools where the Gospel is spoken and taught. There is a great need for quality education as the best public school in Lebanon is not to the level of the worst public school in the United States.

Thursday’s fundraiser was the second year in a row the station’s listeners provided over a hundred scholarships for Lebanese students.

Thursday’s effort was the third major fundraiser 106.9 the Light has undertaken this year for other ministries and Phase II of the station’s “Summer of Caring.” Phase I was a series of collections that benefited seven area rescue missions in June. Phases III-V will take place in August.

Founded by Billy and Ruth Graham in 1962, 106.9 the Light’s mission is to lead as many people as possible into a personal and dynamic relationship with Jesus Christ. The station broadcasts from its studios in Asheville, N.C., to the Charlotte, Greenville-Spartanburg, Johnson City-Bristol and Asheville markets, portions of seven states and around the world on the Internet at www.1069thelight.org. 106.9 the Light is a listener-supported ministry of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association.

For more information about 106.9 the Light’s ministry, contact Jim Kirkland, General Manager, at 828.285.8477.

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