WELCOME TO THE SaveWMCU.com Homepage

LAST UPDATED August 20th, 2008.  

FCC Rejected our Petition and allowed sale of WMCU (89.7FM) to be finalized.  But the fight is continuing on other fronts.

On March 12th, the FCC issued their decision to reject the Petition To Deny the transfer of license for 89.7 FM from TIU to MPR.  This decision allowed the sale of WMCU (now called WKCP) to be finalized.  Please note that we are in the process of revising a number of items on our website to reflect the new situation. 

Note, however, that the battle is not over.  Without our efforts through the petitions and letters to the FCC, the sale would have been finalized very quickly.  Of course, we were hoping and praying that the FCC would hold a formal hearing and rule in our favor to block the sale.  But, if that did not happen, we were hoping that our actions would at least DELAY the sale from being finalized as long as possible.  Even a few months would have been helpful and allow us to explore other options.  Thankfully, the delay was 5 1/2 months.

WHAT ARE WE DOING NOW?

There are people investigating other venues -- such as buying another frequency, strengthening the signals from some other Christian stations (such as WRMB, WAFG, ReachFM, etc,), etc.  PLEASE hold these people up in prayer for wisdom, guidance & provision.

Also, a lawsuit was filed by people associated with CFC (not SaveWMCU.com) against the sale.  This lawsuit went into the Federal courts. I don't exactly understand the language to use here, but it was basically dismissed and yet they are being allowed to reshape their case and file it again.  For additional details -- please go to the CFC website (click here)  We also learned that we needed to take this battle to the Bill McCollum, the Attorney General of Florida.  This was indicated somewhat in the dealings with the FCC, where it was stated that it was not in their jurisdiction to rule on certain areas and that these things needed to be dealt with on a state level.  Primarily, the issue of possible violation of Charitable trust laws -- that funds given for one purpose were diverted for something totally different.  THEREFORE -- we asked people to contact the Florida Attorney General's office to request that they intervene.  IN RESPONSE TO THE LETTERS AND E-MAILS PEOPLE SENT -- THAT OFFICE IS NOW INVESTIGATING THE SALE OF WMCU!  We also used an additional opportunity to bring an appeal before the FCC (on April 11th).  We will have additional details on that after we discuss the new situation with our FCC lawyer. (Some might say that according to Scripture, one should not bring lawsuits against other Christians. However, people should be aware that TIU (or TIF) affiliated themselves with MPR for the purpose of the sale.  Thus in a sense, the lawsuit is not dealing with a Christian organization but with a secular group.)

Further info on this and updates will be available soon.

PLEASE CHECK THE LIST OF SUGGESTED ACTION ITEMS (What can I do to help?)  AT THE END OF THE FAQ link.

It has now been almost 9 months since the Christian lighthouse -- WMCU 89.7 Spirit-FM was SILENCED!   If this had not taken place, right now -- 24/7 -- WMCU would be playing its Christian programming and Christian music glorifying our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ to reach the lost and to teach and encourage believers!  MPR is now using 89.7 FM (now called WKCP) to broadcast a secular message. 


Have a question, we may have answered it on our  FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) PAGE!  This is an excellent resource for you and others to find out more details about what happened to WMCU and what we are doing about it!

DON'T FORGET TO CHECK OUT YOUR COMMUNITY EVENTS  LINK , FOR ANY UPCOMING EVENTS IN THE SOUTH FLORIDA AREA.

PLEASE NOTE -- 1080AM is now calling themselves the "NEW" WMCU.  Why? Check out our FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions), as well as the CHRISTIAN STATIONS link for more info.

PLEASE SIGN UP FOR E-MAIL UPDATES

****Please consider filling out the pop-up window that shows when you come to this site -- or go to the CONTACT US link. By giving us this info (e-mail, etc.), we can send you e-mail updates regarding important timely news about this situation.  (The e-mail list will not be used for ANY other purpose other than the "Save WMCU" effort.)  Many things are happening with very short notice, and our most effective way to communicate with everyone who wants to stay informed about our efforts is to send out group e-mails.  PLEASE encourage everyone you know to also fill out the CONTACT FORM.  (Sometimes it helps to take their info and do it for them!)

NEXT COMMUNITY FAST THURSDAY Aug. 21st!!

Many thanks to those who have participated in these fasts.   WE CANNOT EMPHASIZE ENOUGH THE IMPORTANCE OF THESE DAYS OF COMMUNITY FASTING.  We believe they have been very instrumental in some of the guidance and breakthroughs we have seen.
Please take a few minutes to read the FASTING INFO link for a description and focus for the fast.  Fasting is a Scriptural way to HUMBLE OURSELVES and SEEK GOD'S GRACE!  (Ps. 35:13, I Pet. 5:5b)  This battle is first and foremost a SPIRITUAL BATTLE!  **For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.** (Eph. 6:12 -- see also vs. 10-18)  PLEASE PRAY ESPECIALLY FOR THE CURRENT Florida Attorney General Letter Writing Campaign and for efforts to acqure other frequencies (see above).


COMMUNITY EVENTS & CALENDAR NOW AVAILABLE!

NOTE THE LINK FOR THE SAVEWMCU COMMUNITY EVENTS/CALENDAR. 
Check it now to stay informed.   This was a special feature from WMCU Spirit-FM that was greatly missed.  We are now accepting announcements.  If you have a special event that you would like us to post on our calendar, e-mail it to us at: savewmcu897@bellsouth.net.   (PLEASE put the words COMMUNITY CALENDAR in the subject line!)    See the COMMUNITY EVENTS page for additional instructions.  Please spread the word about this free feature to others.

Dr. Larry Poland Letter and Good News article on WMCU available online

Please read the important Open Letter from Dr. Larry Poland, the founder of WMCU, regarding the situation. Also, the Nov. 1st issue of Good News (published in Broward) featured a major FRONT PAGE article on the pending sale of WMCU Spirit-FM.  It contains a lot of informative interviews and information.  You can see the article online at SPIRIT FM SAYS FAREWELL.


How to contribute to SaveWMCU

We are able to accept financial contributions in support of the efforts of SaveWMCU.  To contribute to SaveWMCU, go to the link: DONATING TO SAVEWMCU.
 The link also provides details on how funds will be used, accountability, etc.  We now have some specific important expenses coming up in this battle.  Please pray and donate as you feel led.  Many thanks to those who have given already.  Your gift matters -- large or small!  If everyone gave something, it would help us greatly in continuing.  We just want  people to be obedient to His promptings. (I Cor. 8:12)


***NEWEST SaveWMCU.com Flier***

Click HERE for a B&W and HERE for a COLOR pdf version of the newest SaveWMCU.com flier.  Please copy the flier and distribute it to everyone who might be interested in helping restore WMCU to the air in S Florida.   It is designed to fit two per page. Consider making fliers or larger versions to distribute and post in your church, at Christian Bookstores, and even on grocery store bulletin boards.  SPREAD THE WORD!  There are still MANY former listeners who do not know about the efforts to restore WMCU.


NEW FLORIDA ATTORNEY GENERAL LETTER WRITING INFO AVAILABLE NOW!!!

FRIDAY NOV. 2nd, SaveWMCU filed a FORMAL PETITION TO DENY with the FCC challenging the transfer of license for 89.7 FM to MPR.  This was followed by TIU's response and finally our reply to that response filed on Dec. 5th.  On March 12th, the FCC rejected our Petition and  has allowed the transfer of license to be completed.  We are now taking the fight to Bill McCollum, the Attorney General of Florida****

WE WILL SHORTLY HAVE INSTRUCTIONS FOR A NEW LETTER WRITING CAMPAIGN TO THE Florida Attorney General.  To see the instructions, go to our FL ATTORNEY GENERAL LETTER WRITING link WHEN THIS LINK BECOMES ACTIVE.   THIS IS A VERY IMPORTANT STEP IN THE BATTLE SO PLEASE TRY AND WRITE A LETTER OR PLACE A CALL AND ENCOURAGE OTHERS TO DO SO AS WELL.

For those who want to read the details of the contracts, etc., here are links for the actual Asset Purchase Agreement.



VARIOUS NEWS AND COMMENTS

We encourage you to use wisdom, love and patience when contacting various people (FCC, TIU, FL ATTORNEY GENERAL etc.) concerning this situation. Most of all (we know we say this a lot) PLEASE PRAY! Pray for what He would have you to do, and most of all, pray for wisdom and guidance for some who are on the "front lines" dealing with this matter. God is in control! We need to follow His leadings and demonstrate the fruit of the Spirit while we are doing it!

This web site was established Sept. 29th, 2007. We will constantly be updating it with new information and features. Please check it regularly for updates. PLEASE spread the word about this website to as many people as possible. Consider asking your pastors to announce this site or to place it in the church bulletin so that those interested in knowing ways to respond to the sale of WMCU have a place to get up-to-date information. Also, please consider signing up for e-mail updates.


THE PURPOSE OF THIS WEBSITE

[NOTE THAT WE WILL POST VARIOUS SUGGESTED ACTION ITEMS SOON. LOOK FOR THEM IN THE SIDEBAR ON THE LEFT. PLEASE KEEP SPREADING THE WORD ABOUT THIS WEBSITE!]

As most of you who have visiting this are aware, On September 25, 2007, WMCU (89.7FM, 101.9 FM in W. Palm Beach), also known as Spirit FM, signed a contract with American Public Media Group (APMG), the parent company of Minnesota Public Radio (MPR). The reported purchase price is $20 million. The transaction was done by the owners of the station, the Trinity International Foundation (Deerfield, IL), whose purpose is to support the educational ministries of Trinity International University. Many additional details about this used to be found on the WMCU Radio website: wmcuradio.com. This site had given specific information on how pledges, day sponsors, and other financial issues are being handled. HOWEVER -- less than two weeks after the station was shut down, they have chosen to strip their website of all of the information!

Another website of interest is: savewcal.livejournal.com This SaveWMCU website, in addition to having detailed information and links about the pending contract for the sale of WMCU, details the successful battle to save another Christian station, WGTS, from being purchased by APMG. It is discusses the ongoing battle to save WCAL. They have a new post from Sept. 29th that also details many similarities between the attempted purchases of those two stations by AMPG. The stories read VERY similarly to the methods used to purchase WMCU.

At the close of Sunday September 30th, our dear station WMCU went off the air. The station went silent for ~3 weeks. After that, classical music programming began.

Note that although a contract has been signed (with one million dollars earnest money given), it is our understanding that, according to the Asset purchase Agreement, the transaction is not complete until 1) The assets have been transferred, 2) the FCC approves the deal and the FCC license has been assigned and 3) the balance of the payment (19 million dollars) has been given to the seller. This could take several months or even longer. In the past, there have been sales that were canceled because of actions by the FCC.

That brings us to the main purpose for this website. Since the announcement on Sept. 26th of the pending contract for WMCU, many of the faithful listeners and supporters were surprised and saddened at the loss of one of our community's primary Christian voice on the radio airways. BUT, since the contents of the last few days of broadcasts and the contents of the website were no longer live or interactive, people could not really rally together to try and do something about the situation. This website is intended to serve first and foremost as a rallying point for those who were blessed by WMCU through the years. The Lord by His Spirit is laying on many people's hearts a burden to take actions. People are praying for wisdom and guidance from the Lord on what He wants them to do. This website will attempt to provide information about .1) efforts to try and save WMCU 89.7 by petitioning the FCC and possibly the buyers and sellers, 2) possible efforts to purchase another station to replace the ministry of WMCU, 3) possible meetings concerning the future of this radio ministry, 4) web addresses of the programs that were carried on WMCU so that people can continue being blessed by those ministries, 5) other Christian stations in the South Florida area (some might not be received in your region) and 6) any other areas we feel would be appropriate.

We urge everyone who is burdened about this issue to 1) PRAY!!! (and even fast as led), 2) ASK what the Lord would have YOU to do to help, and 3) start checking the various links we have listed to familiarize yourself with the situation and our options. Also, check this site regularly for updates. If the Lord lays something particular on your heart, please e-mail us and share it. God has already stirred the hearts of many to start taking action. Some of those things will be shared on this website at a future date.

We believe that when the Body of Christ comes together under the leading of the Holy Spirit, great things happen and we will see the power and love of God demonstrated to our community. "That they all may be one; as Thou, Father, art in me, and I in Thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that Thou hast sent Me."(John 17:21, see also Ps. 133)

CONTACT US

You can contact us with comments, ideas, and support by writing to: savewmcu897@bellsouth.net.  To receive important e-mail UPDATES, fill in your contact info on the pop-up window or fill out the CONTACT US link. Please help us keep our information accurate. If you notice any errors (factual, wrong web address, etc.), PLEASE let us know! This website is a grassroots effort and not the product of any one church or corporation.  It is also not in any way designed or endorsed by former employees, management or owners of WMCU.