The Birth of Grace is the five-part story of KVNG—91.1FM, “The Voice of Never-ending Grace”, Eloy and the whole Casa Grande Valley’s hometown radio station
by H. David Landry and Eric Kruzel
Her birthday is Dec. 3, 2013, which means this year we will be celebrating the fourth anniversary of the “Birth of Grace.” To say that we have learned a few things over the last four years is a gross understatement.
When most parents have their first child, they have little-to-no experience and a lot of input from everyone else on how to raise their child (whether they want it or not). Once Grace 91.1FM came on air full time in 2013, most of us at the station had little-to- no experience in owning and operating a radio station. For us, the input of others who had traveled this journey before us was invaluable. Across the nation, there are multiple Calvary Chapels who own and operate radio stations. Some of those stations are small, Low Power FMs serving just their community, while others have multiple translators, allowing them to serve a variety of communities. Grace 91.1FM sits between the two as a Full Power station with a 750 watt transmitter located atop Newman Peak at 4,500 feet above sea level, right across the freeway from Picacho Peak.
The transmitter site allows KVNG, Grace 91.1FM to broadcast throughout the Casa Grande Valley area – reaching as far south as Marana and the northern edge of Tucson and as far north as the Florence Junction and the San Tan Valley. To the west, her signal is heard in Maricopa and almost to Gila Bend along I-8, and along the foothills of the Catalina Mountains, you can still hear the broadcast heading east. The positive thing about the antennae location is the extent of the coverage, but on the negative side, the site is only accessible by helicopter. Therefore, every trip to the transmitter site needs to be carefully planned and all material and tools need to be ready to go.
It is the ongoing financial support of individuals, ministries and local businesses which help provide solid Christian radio in our Valley. These donations are a necessary part of the success of Grace, and are gifts given to support the station – not with the mindset of advertisement of business or ministry, but as support for the vision and purpose of KVNG 91.1FM in provided our listening area with solid Biblical teaching and as an alternative to the normal “Top 40” Christian songs heard on other stations.
The 24/7 programming that KVNG brings to our area includes a host of pastors and Bible teachers from across the country. Some of these pastors/teachers are nationally known, while others are local in their influence. These teachers are from across denominational lines, yet still maintain the historical essentials of the Christian faith. The music you will hear on Grace will be a mixture of both familiar and new artists, yet all with a focus toward Christ-centered praise and worship.
We invite you to take the opportunity to listen in on your FM dial at 91.1 or live stream on your computer, tablet or smart phone at www.grace911.com.
