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100% Sunday
The fourth Sunday in October is the date we set aside to partner with all of the Covenant Churches in North America in a concerted fund-raising effort. This year it falls on October 22, but feel free to choose any time of year that is convenient for your church.
This is the one time of the year when we ask for nation-wide donations of only $1.00 from 100% of those worshipping in a Covenant Church on Sunday morning. 100% Sunday has the potential to be a significant part of our fundraising efforts. In addition, this allows everyone throughout the church body to invest in our work here spiritually, emotionally and financially. Of course anyone interested in supporting the ministry of KICY can participate, regardless of denomination.
Feel free to use any photos or videos found on this site to introduce, or re-introduce your congregation to the ministry of KICY.
Other resources can be found by clicking on the 100% Sunday link in the menu to the right.
Thanks for prayerfully considering hosting 100% Sunday at your church.
The Coffee Crew Story of the Year 2023
We have 12 stories collected from the past year on the Coffee Crew. Click below to read through and vote for your favorite story!
We have 12 stories collected from the past year on the Coffee Crew. Click below to read through and vote for your favorite story!
Summer Projects 2022
The first two teams have come and gone already, and accomplished a great deal while they were here. Frantz Zamor, plumber extraordinaire, came with his family in early June to work on the Brown House plumbing. There has been a lingering unpleasant odor in the entry area for a few years, which has steadily gotten worse and occasionally seeps into the living areas of the house. After tracing where the problem might lie and replacing several corroded copper pipes with ABS we hope the problem is solved. His wife and children also scraped paint at the transmitter site in advance of the a team coming to paint. They also had plenty of time to explore Nome and the surrounding area. Good plumbers are hard to find, especially in Nome, and we are grateful Frantz and his family were willing to travel from South Carolina to serve KICY in this way.
A team from Community Covenant Church in Eagle River, Alaska was the next to arrive, and in fact overlapped with the Zamors a couple days. Terry and Linda Reynolds, Roy Pace, Bob Gold, Janna Wise, and Rebecca Wilcut were joined by Tim Tuggy, an electrician from Pennsylvania. This group accomplished much. Half the team spent the week scraping, priming, and painting the buildings at the tower site while the other half readied the generator and transmitter for an electrical power delivery change. The transmitter we installed last summer runs best with a WYE configuration. Nome Joint Utility System found the needed transformers to make the change from the Delta configuration, but they did not arrive in Nome until last fall, well after the transmitter was installed. The project was completed in early June, with a fantastic team from Nome Joint Utility System changing our the transformer cans on the power pole and our team of skilled electricians finishing up the connections to our equipment. In addition, Terry and Roy repaired some ground straps and Roy made sure all of our required warning signs were secured. The weather was perfect for painting and the entrance and tower site dedication sign even got a face-lift. As always, there was plenty of time for trips out of town in the evenings to see the sights. We even had a beach cookout on the day the two teams overlapped. KICY is indeed blessed by people who give of their time and talents to get those necessary up-keep projects done.
A Translator for Elim
On July 13, 2021, KICY was finally able to complete construction of our Translator in Elim, Alaska.
Elim is technically within our listening area. The village sits on the shore of Norton Sound, backed by mountains. Over the past 10-15 years as more and more wireless and satellite devices have become prevalent, the KICY signal is no longer easy to pick up in this town. The FCC opened a window of opportunity for constructing a translator in underserved areas in 2018. KICY applied for, and received such a construction permit for Elim. This translator takes our AM signal, by means of a dedicated satellite internet connection, and translates it to an FM signal which can be easily heard in the village. This project has allowed the Gospel of Christ to be heard loud and clear in Elim.
We had hoped to install the translator in the summer of 2020, but due to the Coronavirus, travel restrictions to villages in Western Alaska kept us from being able to do that. In March of 2021 we were finally able to send Nate Hobbs to Elim to begin working out the details of the installation plan. It was determined the best location, due to it being on a high point in the village, was in the clinic. Norton Sound Health Corporation graciously granted us permission to use a storage room for our equipment and put an antenna on the roof.
Nate returned in May of 2021 to oversee the install of a satellite dish on the side of the clinic and hook up the necessary internet interface. Cody Foret went with Nate to hang the rack and do as much of the actual installation as they could before a team of engineers arrived in July to put up the antenna and test the transmitter.
July 13, 2021, Tom King and Chris Hill, two engineers from California, traveled to Elim with Nate to do the final install and testing. It was still unclear where the pole would come from, on which to mount the antenna. Nate had been assured on previous trips that there were sufficient scrap poles in the village and the team went with mounting hardware for several possible configurations. When they arrived in Elim, a volunteer team was constructing a new parsonage for Elim Covenant Church. Two sizes of poles had been sent for one portion of their project, and they had decided not to use the 2” pipe. That was the exact size our project needed. The pole section they had, however, wasn’t tall enough to reach above the roof line of the clinic. Two additional pole sections were needed. Tom said he was going to pray very specifically that the Village would donate a length of pipe to us. Nate called the one person he knew to call, a man who had installed poles for antenna on other buildings in town and had told Nate to contact him if he needed anything. Come to find out, this man is also the mayor of Elim. He took Nate to some piles of poles the Village owned, which included several lengths of new 2” pipe, and told Nate to help himself! The antenna was mounted and the transmitter turned on. The team was able to test the signal in town and out of town before leaving Elim.
We have seen time and time again throughout this project that God provides in mysterious and often miraculous ways. Though the timing was not what we expected, He put the right people and equipment in place in His time, and it was perfect. We are blessed to be able to offer solid biblical teaching and uplifting music to the community of Elim once again.
On July 13, 2021, KICY was finally able to complete construction of our Translator in Elim, Alaska.
Elim is technically within our listening area. The village sits on the shore of Norton Sound, backed by mountains. Over the past 10-15 years as more and more wireless and satellite devices have become prevalent, the KICY signal is no longer easy to pick up in this town. The FCC opened a window of opportunity for constructing a translator in underserved areas in 2018. KICY applied for, and received such a construction permit for Elim. This translator takes our AM signal, by means of a dedicated satellite internet connection, and translates it to an FM signal which can be easily heard in the village. This project has allowed the Gospel of Christ to be heard loud and clear in Elim.
We had hoped to install the translator in the summer of 2020, but due to the Coronavirus, travel restrictions to villages in Western Alaska kept us from being able to do that. In March of 2021 we were finally able to send Nate Hobbs to Elim to begin working out the details of the installation plan. It was determined the best location, due to it being on a high point in the village, was in the clinic. Norton Sound Health Corporation graciously granted us permission to use a storage room for our equipment and put an antenna on the roof.
Nate returned in May of 2021 to oversee the install of a satellite dish on the side of the clinic and hook up the necessary internet interface. Cody Foret went with Nate to hang the rack and do as much of the actual installation as they could before a team of engineers arrived in July to put up the antenna and test the transmitter.
July 13, 2021, Tom King and Chris Hill, two engineers from California, traveled to Elim with Nate to do the final install and testing. It was still unclear where the pole would come from, on which to mount the antenna. Nate had been assured on previous trips that there were sufficient scrap poles in the village and the team went with mounting hardware for several possible configurations. When they arrived in Elim, a volunteer team was constructing a new parsonage for Elim Covenant Church. Two sizes of poles had been sent for one portion of their project, and they had decided not to use the 2” pipe. That was the exact size our project needed. The pole section they had, however, wasn’t tall enough to reach above the roof line of the clinic. Two additional pole sections were needed. Tom said he was going to pray very specifically that the Village would donate a length of pipe to us. Nate called the one person he knew to call, a man who had installed poles for antenna on other buildings in town and had told Nate to contact him if he needed anything. Come to find out, this man is also the mayor of Elim. He took Nate to some piles of poles the Village owned, which included several lengths of new 2” pipe, and told Nate to help himself! The antenna was mounted and the transmitter turned on. The team was able to test the signal in town and out of town before leaving Elim.
We have seen time and time again throughout this project that God provides in mysterious and often miraculous ways. Though the timing was not what we expected, He put the right people and equipment in place in His time, and it was perfect. We are blessed to be able to offer solid biblical teaching and uplifting music to the community of Elim once again.
What a Summer!
The summer is not yet over, but the projects are nearly complete. God provided just the right personnel at just the right time to complete the install of our new 50,000 watt transmitter and 10,000 watt back-up transmitter. Praise God for willing workers and and decent weather. There was a slight hiccup in the process – a part of the 50kW was damaged in shipping, but praise God for the timely arrival of the 10kW back-up transmitter that was able to be installed before the team left. This meant we could be on the air while waiting for the replacement part. We are grateful for the work of “The Dream Team,” (Steve & Beth Smit, Terry & Linda Reynolds, Rob Elder, Sonny Chambers, Roy Pace, and Pete Colan) in preparing for the 50kW as well, making it possible for the final install to take hours rather than days. Praise God for the willingness of Terry Reynolds and Steve Smit to return to Nome to complete the install of the 50kW transmitter once the part arrived. On the afternoon of July 4, 2021, we were back at 50,000 watts on the new transmitter. Once the final tweaking and testing was done, we held a brief dedication service, acknowledging that these transmitters are to be used to the glory of God.
A team from Aurora Communications came later in July to finish up some engineering projects and get the Elim Translator to the point of final testing and paperwork filing. Thanks to Tom & Marina King, Jon & Jill Wilhelm, and Chris Hill for being willing to do the “left over projects,” and some menial tasks as well.
A few highlight photos of the NX10 & NX50 installation are below.
Click on the link to view the text of the dedication service.http://kicy.org/files/Transmitter Dedication 2021.pdf
Here are a few photos of the Aurora Communications group. More photos of the summer will be posted soon.
We Want Your Memories!
KICY is turning 60 in 2020!! In honor of this event, and to highlight how God has provided for and sustained this ministry for six decades, we are assembling a memory book.
If you have any connection with KICY – short or long term volunteer, staff member, member of a work team, listener, family member of any of these, or just have some connection to KICY – we’d love to hear your recollections.
Some suggestions to get you started, from the serious to the humorous:
What was your role in the ministry? How did service at KICY impact your life or shape who you are today? What is your favorite “Nome quirk” or funny story about your time in Nome? Was there someone at the station or in our listening audience who made an impression on you or impacted your life in some way? What was life in Nome like? How has KICY been a part of your life in Western Alaska or the Russian Far East? Or of course any other memories you’d like to share.
Please include your name, term of service (if any), and your connection to KICY. In the interest of available space, we reserve the right to edit, and cannot guarantee every submission will be published.
You can send your submission to KICY Memories, P.O. Box 820, Nome, AK 99762, or click here to send it electronically.
The finished product will be a “yearbook” type memory book available for purchase in April, 2020.
Happy 60th Anniversary, KICY!!!
On Easter Sunday, 1960, KICY went on the air for the first time. April 17, 2020 marks 60 years of ministry in Western Alaska and the Russian Far East.
Join us Friday, April 17 for some special programming from the past.
7:30 a.m. – Big John & Sparkie
Noon hour – Art Zylstra Speaks: Recorded in 1964 in Kotzebue, our first general manager tells of the miraculous beginnings of KICY. This will be followed by Echoes of KICY, a recording made in 1970 for the 10th Anniversary. It includes memories and reflections from the staff at the time, including Ralph & Gert Fondell, Dave & Kathy DeVries, Chip Swanson, and more.
7 to 8 p.m. A Virtual Anniversary Party, live.
Call in with your memories, favorite programs past and/or present, when/where you listen, how KICY has impacted your life, or just share an Anniversary wish. Call toll free, 1-800-478-5429, or in Nome, call 443-2213. We look forward to celebrating with you!
Congratulations 2020 Graduates!
Links to the audio recorded during the Nome Beltz High School Graduation Parade and Ceremony Wednesday, May 20, 2020 are available below.
Click for Messages of Congratulations called in to KICY AM-850 during the community parade.
From all of us at KICY AM & FM, Congratulations to all of our region’s graduates. May God bless and keep you as you step into the next stage of your journey through life.
AM Transmitter Replacement Project UPDATE
We serve a great God! Only He could orchestrate this project in the way it is coming together. Thanks to the Holy Spirit’s prompting and the generosity of so many the 50,000 watt transmitter is fully funded! The way God accomplished this continues to leave me dumbfounded at times. Beginning with a very generous donation from the Thomas & Cindy Massie Foundation to kick start our 60th Anniversary fundraising campaign to individuals giving over and above their regular giving to over the top additional gifts from several, the funds were in place by the middle of January. The transmitter has been ordered and is scheduled to ship by the middle of April. In addition, we had a 10,000 watt transmitter on our wish list. In the past, there have been occasions when a back-up transmitter would have been nice to have. A secondary transmitter will allow us to stay on the air when routine maintenance and/or repairs are need to be performed on the 50kW transmitter. Again, God is a God of surprises. Through a very generous donation from Aurora Communications we are able to purchase a 10kW transmitter to be installed this summer as well. This will allow KICY to be a stable, consistent presence in Western Alaska and the Russian Far East for years to come. The installation team is also being orchestrated by God, as the “Dream Team” of engineers, electricians, and “go-furs” is coming together. What exciting times we live in, watching God add His exclamation point to the ministry of KICY yet again.
While the major components to this project have been paid for, there will be additional costs as we install this summer. Paying an electrician and purchasing cable is not as glamorous as buying a transmitter, but these things are no less necessary. We have some funds on hand to cover these costs, but experience tells us that there are always unexpected expenses with a project this large that may not be apparent prior to the start of the project. You can still be a part of the amazing things God is doing in Western Alaska through KICY, by giving to our Capital Campaign fund. Monies received will be used first for any additional costs incurred this summer, and then for future capital projects at KICY. Donations can be made through our secure giving site by clicking the big blue Donate Now button (above). Please select Capital Campaign as the gift category, and put “Capital Campaign” in the notes section. Or if you prefer, send a check to P.O. Box 820, Nome, AK 99762, and note the donation is for summer projects. Thank you for your support of KICY, past, present, and future.