EXISTING TO EXALT
Broadcasting family-friendly Christian radio, WJIE originally signed onto the air in January of 1988 as an extension of Evangel Christian School. Starting at just 18 hours a day on the air, within a year they were able to extend their show overnight. The only local, contemporary Christian music station, their desire is to connect their listeners with one another, the community, and to Christ.
WJIE’s vision for the future is to continue to impact the community through prayer, to be a source that leads people to the Gospel, and to uplift spirits throughout the day. Their biggest supporters are the kids who grew up listening to them throughout their home. “We live in a very discouraging world, whether it be Covid, unemployment, divorce, drugs, etc. and we value everyone having the same spirit and goal of reaching the city and constantly encouraging others through a prayer or song that comes on the radio,” said WJIE’s Morning DJ, Jim Galipeau. “We are listener supported, but we want to support our listeners,” said Word Media Group’s General Manager, Troy Miles.
In an effort to glorify God through uplifting music, they feature artists, such as: Mercy Me, King and Country, Casting Crowns, Lauren Daigle, Jeremy Camp, and TobyMac. WJIE hopes to encourage believers with their timely messages and lead others to Christ. Wanting to be a light in the local community, WJIE is involved in several local ministries, including: BesideU for Life Pregnancy Center (formerly A Woman’s Choice and Necole’s Place), the Thanksgiving Food Basket Giveaway, the annual coat drive for kids with the Lord’s Kitchen, as well as their own ministry, the Christmas Dream Tree, where hundreds of toys are donated by the listeners to be given to children in the Louisville community.
TUNING IN TO TRANSITION
WJIE wanted a website that would be an informative resource to the public about what was going on in the community. Hatfield Media created a website with a consistent, clean, look and feel, making it easy for their listeners to inquire about current events, make a donation to support the station, or listen live. Displaying buttons prominently on the site, the values and identity of WJIE shine through. “The website has become easier for people to navigate. We made something uncomplicated that wouldn’t overwhelm the listener,” said Troy. “Making the new website simple has helped to direct visitors on the air without making them dig. Family-friendly Christian radio, that’s what we want to be known for.”
The transformation took place to better inform listeners and encourage their participation and support. “We try to stick to the heart of WJIE - exalting the name of Jesus,” said Troy. “We want to be sure people hear it continuously throughout the day. As WJIE grows, we want to continue to grow and have an impact, especially through prayer.” Eventually, WJIE hopes to grow to include more stations, enabling them to connect with the communities they have yet to reach. A ministry at its core, the thing that distinguishes WJIE is that they’re local - they’re here. “We did a fundraiser last week, and people were walking in, knocking on the door during the fundraiser. It’s hard to minister to a particular group of people when you’re in Nashville or California. We can have the impact on the community that we want to have, because of our ability to make that one-on-one connection.”
ACCESSING THE AIRWAVES ONLINE
The primary objective of WJIE’s website was to allow them to continue in their mission of glorifying God through playing positive Christian music. Providing an avenue for them to inform their listeners of news and upcoming events, the new website creates a place for listeners to support WJIE with their donations and give back to local communities. “More than family-friendly Christian radio, WJIE works hard to improve local communities. The hand they have in various ministries and programs conveys the excellence they strive for,” said Hatfield Media’s Back-End Developer, Mark Russ.
Working hard to ensure the site was optimized for a good user experience on all devices and screen sizes, the Hatfield team made both the purpose and goals of WJIE’s site distinct. “One of my favorite features of the website is the ‘Listen Now’ button,” said Mark. “Integrated into the header, it is both prominent and accessible from any page. I also really like the calendar integration and how we’ve hosted it.”
The focus of Hatfield’s efforts was to update the user experience and remind people why radio is still essential. “When we take on clients, we take them on for the long-haul and continue to support them every step of the way, because their satisfaction is our purpose. From video to marketing, design to development, we do everything internally. Our work speaks for itself,” said Mark. “Working with Hatfield has been both enjoyable and such a smooth process. Whenever we’ve had an issue, or needed something changed, they were right on it. You guys are awesome!” said Troy.
