About Us
The Beginning
KREJ went on the air April 22, 1990 as the result of efforts by Mike Henry (then pastor of First Baptist Church of Medicine Lodge), Mike’s brother Randy (a religious broadcaster from Titusville, Florida.), Stan Tedrow and Mike Shinkle (then pastors of Open Door Fellowship of Medicine Lodge), Price Construction, and many local supporters.
More Power
The new station (with mostly Moody network programming) was well received, but had limited coverage at 3,000 watts. Thanks to fund raising efforts led by Sam and Kathy Spicer of Hazelton, a new transmitter and antenna were purchased. Clarke Corp. of Medicine Lodge donated tower space on their 360 foot tower near Deerhead, Gary Gerber of Anthony climbed the tower, and on June 20, 1993 KREJ was broadcasting with 50,000 watts at 101.7 FM.
Translator and Satellite Stations
Responding to requests and with increased support, translator stations were installed in Woodward, Oklahoma in 1995 at 107.9 FM (now at 97.1 FM) with the help of Glenn Culp and in Great Bend, Kansas in 1997 at 88.1 FM with the help of Walt Underwood, enabling these cities to be part of the KREJ coverage area.
The Great Bend station was converted to a regular station, KRTT “Keep Redeeming The Time,” in February 2011. Due to a lack of support, it was sold to Divine Mercy Radio Dec. 10, 2014.
On Oct. 11, 2011, KNJT “Kansas Needs Jesus Today”, Coldwater, Kansas, began broadcasting at 1,000 watts on 90.3 FM. It has no studio and broadcasts KREJ programming.
Two New Towers and KSNS
An ambitious undertaking began in 1998. Build two 300 foot towers on Gyp Hill Road 4 miles southwest of Medicine Lodge. One for KREJ and the other for an all music station, KSNS. Thanks to the efforts of our tower man Fred Heim of Great Bend, the donation of a tower site by Don Lonker, and generous support from our listeners, “New Song 91.5 FM” went on the air July 1, 2000 with 25,000 watts. It now broadcasts with 96,000 watts. KREJ moved to its new tower Jan. 13, 2001.
Today
KREJ and KSNS are non-profit owned and listener supported. They are part of a small family of Christian radio stations in Florida, Iowa, and Kansas. Randy and Carol Henry oversee the larger ministry. Bookkeeping, technical, and legal services provided by the corporation help to keep expenses down. KREJ/KSNS has an annual three day share-a-thon fund raiser, yielding 100 plus supporters including many area churches and businesses. God is faithful to supply all our needs.
KREJ is the main station featuring Christian teaching, talk, drama, local programs, and a variety of music. KSNS features Contemporary Christian and Praise & Worship music with Christian Blues on Saturday nights. Mike Henry remains operations manager along with a great volunteer staff of Larry Martin, Allison Reed, Nancy Bell, and Gary Moore. Local young people have been given the opportunity to DJ on weekends through the years.