Strong Tower Radio and Michigan area churches dedicated the Owosso, Mich., area churches dedicated WHSR, 88.7 FM station Jan. 18, 2025. This station is one of the nine Federal Communication Commission (FCC) construction permits granted to this non-profit Seventh-day Adventist lay-led media ministry.
The event marked a significant milestone for the nonprofit organization, which now operates 20 radio stations, one television station, and global streaming platforms.
The Owosso station is one of nine Federal Communication Commission (FCC) construction permits granted to Strong Tower Radio in November 2021. This latest addition serves the region from Bay City to Lansing and from St. Johns to Flint, exceeding initial coverage projections despite marginal reception in some areas.
The journey to expansion began in 2007 when Strong Tower Radio launched its first station in Cadillac, Michigan. Over the years, the ministry grew beyond expectations, adding 15 stations, including one in Illinois. With the FCC's 2021 application window, the ministry secured permits for nine additional stations, significantly broadening its reach.
The first of the nine new stations, WWJR 89.3 FM in Tower Hill, Illinois, began broadcasting on September 5, 2024. Originally planned as a 1-kilowatt (kW) signal, the station now operates at 5.6 kW, covering a 50-by-120-mile area of south-central Illinois.
On November 29, 2024, Strong Tower Radio launched its second new station, WJCG 89.9 FM in Greenville, Michigan. Despite engineering challenges and setbacks with tower approvals, the station now reaches the Ionia state prison—a primary goal of the project's donors—and fills critical coverage gaps between Grand Rapids, Lansing, and Harrison.
The third new station, WHSR in Owosso, officially went on air in January 2025. It was soon followed by WGTM 90.3 FM in Manistique, Michigan, which began broadcasting on December 30, 2024. Designed to fill a coverage gap in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, WGTM connects listeners between Escanaba and Newberry.
The most recent station to go live, WSHG 91.7 FM in South Haven, Michigan, began broadcasting on January 7, 2025. We are prayerfully hoping the remaining four stations—Bridgeman (WLWP 89.1 FM), Port Sanilac (WGNP 88.7 FM), Houghton (WHFJ 88.9 FM), and Iron Mountain (WUPC 89.1 FM)—will begin operations before the June 2025 FCC deadline.
What has God wrought with a little faith? From a single station to a growing network, the Strong Tower Radio ministry now shares its message across Michigan, Illinois, and beyond through radio, television, and digital platforms. With each new station, the mission to broadcast the Three Angels' messages reaches more lives, fulfilling a vision of global impact. Stay tuned.
Tom Mejeur is production and marketing director of Strong Tower Radio.
