Portland observer., January 25, 1995, Page 32, Image 32

K PH P - T h e M aking of
Portland’s H om e of Praise
by Ruth H«b«rling
estled between the West
Hills and the Willamette
River in an obscure brown
building at 4700 SW
Macadam Avenue, behind
an almost hidden entrance, rest the decep­
tively calm offices and studios of
Portland's "Home of Praise!”; 1290 on the
AM dial. As the sun sets behind the trees,
1290 is still honoring the One who never
sleeps. When silence gathers along each
street, KPHP continues to broadcast the
good news of the One who never stops
speaking.
Three years ago, 1290 was "dark," in
radio-speak. KLVS, the now defunct all-
Elvis music station had disbanded.
Crawford Broadcasting Company, head­
quartered in Detroit, Michigan, began to
evaluate the need in Portland for a new sta­
tion targeting the Christian community.
Teams from the home office began to seek
out the Christian leaders: Joe Aldrich, Bill
Ritchie, Ron Mell. They soon discovered
Mission Portland, a unique ministry
the needs of local ministries. For many
designed to help cixirdinate local needs
weeks, each Sunday would find Harms
and ministries. CBC bought the station in
visiting various churches, standing in the
March of 1991.
foyer between services and asking ques­
“All we had, literally,” says David
tions. What do you need in a radio station?
Harms, General Manager of KPHP, "was a
What needs are you having met now?
piece of paper from the FCC stating that
What needs aren’t you having met now?
we had a license to broadcast on the 1290
“The thing I really love about
wavelength and a lease on three radio
Crawford broadcasting, “ says Harms,
transmitters west of 205 by Clackamas.
rolling forward in his chair and removing
That was all we had." No offices. No stu­
his wire-rim glasses, “ is that we have no
dios. No staff. Just a handful of promise.
pre-set ideas about format. We’re not a
There were only three stations in the
cookie-cutter operation. We have 15 radio
area targeting the Christian community at
stations around the country, and they are
the time. KPDQ ran mostly ministry and
all very different. Each station is tailored to
Bible teaching programs. KBVM, from
the needs of the community. The Chicago
the University of Portland, broadcast mel­
station plays mostly black gospel music.
low Christian and secular music along
In Denver, it's 24 hours of music. St. Louis
with Catholic services. Fledgling KLove
is an all-talk format. Birmingham plays
was airing contemporary Christian music.
southern gospel music. Buffalo carries a
Harms moved into a Portland Motel 6
very traditional music format. They’re all
in November that year, leaving his family
different. When we come in, it’s not
in Detroit to finish the school term. His
‘We’re going to do music,’ or ‘We’re going
first official day on the job as General
to do talk.’ We find out what the people
Manager of Portland’s newest radio sta­
want.”
tion, he assessed his needs— a typewriter,
The format combining contemporary
pens, paper, stamps. He filled the hours of
Christian music, Bible teaching, and talk
daylight and dark listening: to the existing
shows was developed. Staff was hired.
radio stations; to potential advertisers; to
Offices were leased and modified. The
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h r is t ia n
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n it y
fateful moment came at 6 AM, January 6,
I992 when Matt Williams, the morning
show host. Hipped the switch and KPHP
came alive with prayer, praise, and music.
“The first half hour we were on the
air,” reminisces Harms with enthusiasm, "I
was driving down 1-84, taking the loop on
205, and back up 1-5 to the studios, just to
listen. I had been working on putting this
station together from total scratch for two
and a half months. 20 hours a day. I was
driving around, feeling good. The broad­
cast was sounding good . I was pretty
excited. And just as I headed down 205
around Division Street, the still, small
voice of God said, ‘You didn’t do any­
thing.’ And I couldn't argue with that. God
had built His own program."
This Christian radio station takes
more than talent, initiative, equipment, and
courage. The primary quality required in
each staff member is a heart open to the
Savior’s leading and guidance. The gener­
al manager is not alone in his devotion to
God. Sandy Snavely reflects, “Working at
a Christian station forces me to Walk my
talk.' There is never a day that goes by that
I’m not aware of the need to be close to the
Savior. If I don’t spend time with the Lord