Every once in a while something good happens that you did not plan, nor did you expect it. It’s called “Serendipity” and it has recently happened to CrossWay Missions via Good News Radio.
After Good News Radio went live back in February of 2019, the challenge then, (and still is), was to get the station listed in as many internet radio station directories as was possible. There are dozens, possibly hundreds online, but some stand head and shoulders above the others. One such directory was Apple’s iTunes. The downside was iTunes stopped allowing the listing of internet radio stations. Big problem… Apple’s iTunes reported 800 million accounts back in 2014. Though I was unable to gather more recent data, I assume that number has increased to at least a billion accounts by now.
Though iTunes will no longer allow the listing of internet radio stations, it does allow podcasts. Jesus said, “Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves. Therefore be wise as serpents and harmless as doves.” Matthew 10:16. CrossWay Missions and Good News Radio have ONE objective… to get the message of the Cross into as many ears as is possible. SO… we started a podcast.
On March 22nd, 2019, I signed up the Good News Radio Podcast with a podcast server and it streams the podcast episodes I upload every few days to both iTunes and Google Play (and many other directories). Honestly, I did not expect much from the podcast but was only using it to LINK Good News Radio to iTunes. The results of the podcast are serendipitous.
Since March 22nd, 2019 over 8,200 sermons have been downloaded. That’s is such an unexpected wonderful and amazing thing! In 220 days, 8,200 sermons have been downloaded from over 50 countries. September was our biggest month with 3854 downloads. What’s even more serendipitous is that Spotify, another internet podcast directory, is providing most of the traffic coming to the Good News Radio Podcast, not iTunes.
What does it mean? Simple… the Message of the Cross is being preached… and heard! Serendipity - finding valuable or agreeable things not sought for. Thank you Lord.
Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Matthew 28:19-20.
