From the desk of
Elaine Hinshaw
This story has been updated with our First Quarter Balance. Will you give to help us close the gap?
Dear Viewer:
What an incredible February it’s been!
Well, yes, Punxsutawney Phil saw his shadow. And yes, it’s been very gray. We’re ready for Spring. But for sports lovers, it’s also been a very fun month! The Seahawks won the Super Bowl. The Winter Olympics featured incredible performances. There has been enough excitement and celebration for all of us. What fun it is to win!
Full confession: I am not an athlete. My athletic prowess hovers between tripping gracefully and, as a little sign a friend gave me reads, “the only running I do is late.” The great thing about sports, however, is that the audience is just as important to the experience as the athletes. They bring energy and enthusiasm. Because my own skills in this area are limited, I am in awe of athletes. I enjoy cheering them on as they compete. The opportunity to admire their talent and enjoy their success vicariously brings me great joy.
Over the years, I’ve also learned a great deal from sports. There are so many insights to be gleaned from the way athletes think, how they strengthen and improve their skills, and how they prepare for competition. Not only do they build elite physical skills, but they also build elite emotional and intellectual skills to get the most out of their natural talent. In the end, they understand that those skills are also enduring, win or lose, and they build a mindset that makes an impact.
As disciples of Jesus, we have the opportunity to build skills under the encouraging eye of our divine Coach. He changes us internally, takes our natural talents, and helps us strengthen and build them. We are a team of disciples, each with a specific, essential role.
Ephesians 2:8-10 reminds us: For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God, not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. We are all part of HIS team.
In my work at Blue Mountain Broadcasting, I have the opportunity to meet and listen to many of you. I am constantly awed by what an incredible part of the team you are. You may be a volunteer,
a monthly giver, a Watchkeeper, a year-end giver, or a prayer warrior. You may share the station with others or appear on locally produced programs. And I love the opportunity to cheer you on! It brings me the same kind of joy as watching my sports teams win.
Forty-six years ago, in 1980, the US beat the USSR in a surprise upset at the Winter Olympics. They were dubbed The Miracle on Ice. This year, the team finally did it again! Thirty-five years ago, despite being told there was no way this valley could support a station, we are still here because of the strength and commitment of this team. Blue Mountain Broadcasting is a Miracle Indeed!.
For Blue Mountain Broadcasting and the media world in general, these are challenging times in uncharted territory, but I am deeply convinced that God is not finished with this ministry yet. You can help build and strengthen our future.
Thank you for your faithful support. BMT is a critical part of daily life for many people in our valley. If you aren’t supporting Blue Mountain Broadcasting yet, we want you on our team! A monthly gift of $10, $20, or $50 will quickly become a habit that provides viewers with an opportunity to spend time with Jesus, some for the first time. And if you already support, thank you on behalf of the viewers for your faithfulness.
Like preparing for a big competition, at first, remembering to give monthly is a little difficult. It’s easy to skip it this month, but when you hang in there, it gets easier and easier to the point you can’t imagine not doing it. Together, we can make this year our best year yet. Let’s keep building and improving until, in the words of Olympic Gold Medalist Abby Wambach “we cannot, not do it!”
I am so grateful to team with you to share what Jesus has done for us!
Elaine Hinshaw
Creative and Development Director
PS. You are essential to Blue Mountain Television’s success! Your monthly gift supports BMT’s
day-to-day operations and keeps us on the air. Thank you so much for sharing your gifts with the community!