KOOV Armor of God Catholic Radio celebrates 2nd anniversary

By PAMELA GRANT

Cove Leader-Press

Armor of God Catholic Radio - 106.9 FM KOOV - celebrated its two-year anniversary with a birthday bash held at the Holy Family Catholic Church in Copperas Cove.

Although the birthday bash was held August 15, Armor of God officially hit the two-year mark on June 22, but the celebration was postponed. Ultimately, August 15 was chosen as the celebration date, as it is also the 39th anniversary of EWTN (The Eternal Word Television Network). 

The KOOV call letters and 106.9 FM have been part of Copperas Cove for decades, and founders Tom and Anne Marie McNew recognized the significance and history of the call letters with Copperas Cove and decided to keep KOOV.

In addition to celebrating the second anniversary, the birthday bash also served as a way for the radio station to earn funds to continue operating. Seats could be purchased at $15 apiece or donors could become a table sponsor for $250, $500, $750, or $1000. Table sponsors received radio spots and a special table gift based upon their donation level. Those who want to support the radio station can also donate on their website.

132 people attended the birthday bash Saturday night which started at 6:30 p.m. and featured a dinner and a talk by guest speaker, Father Harry Dean.

Father Harry Dean is a full-time pastor for 16 distinct Catholic communities of women and men in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice prison units located in Gatesville and Marlin. 

During his speech, Dean talked about Restorative Justice Ministry and how the shutdown really affected the prisoners.

Father Dean said that the Armor of God radio allows them to have a presence, not only for the prisoners but for the officers and other prison staff as well.

“People in prison are still people made in the image and likeness of God. No matter what someone has done, they deserve the opportunity to hear the word of God and find the truth of the message of Christ,” reminded Father Dean. He said that it’s important to never give up, no matter what.

He said that through Restorative Justice Ministry, he works to give people the potential to genuinely repent. He also works to help them to avoid pitfalls both while in prison and after as well as working on improving themselves.

“Just like neither you nor I would want the Lord to ever give up on us, each with our own sins that we carry, we really don’t want to give up on people that have put themselves in a prison setting,” said Father Dean. “Our restorative justice ministry then is about bringing the grace, and peace, and the love of God into an environment where people really may not have had much of an encounter with that throughout their whole lives, or, if they have, maybe they threw it all away.”

Father Harry Dean said that with Armor of God, they have put out a series of episodes geared towards helping those in prison including talking about distance parenting while serving time and how to cope with life after prison. They are planning to do a series of episodes on de-escalation of violence and another on conflict resolution.

“The purpose of the station is to spread the gospel of Jesus Christ,” said Tom McNew, executive director for the non-profit that runs the radio station along with his wife, Anne Marie McNew. “The thing that Armor of God radio provides for our listeners is a calm, reasoned voice that carries the truth. It carries a message. It carries a message of peace and love. And what else is there?”

In addition to the episodes that Father Harry Dean talked about, Armor of God Catholic Radio features a variety of programming including call-in shows, Mass, Bible study, and more. To learn more about the programs offered, visit the website at the bottom of this story.

“This radio station is a source for unanswered questions. Whether it’s our call-in shows, the daily Mass, or our devotionals that we play throughout the day, we’re giving people the truth,” said McNew. “And that’s what our world needs.”

Armor of God’s stated mission is to promote the word of Jesus Christ in support of local Parish priests in full union with the Catholic Church and the Magisterium. Through the radio, they promote holy vocations, defend the sanctity of life, help build strong Catholic families, and carry out the mission of the church’s New Evangelization.

The radio station is a non-profit run by volunteers.

When Armor of God radio first began in June 2018, they reached an average of 3,300 listeners in a week. Now, they average 4,600 listeners in the same amount of time.

Samantha Taylor, who attended Saturday’s birthday bash, is a big fan of Armor of God radio, particularly their morning show. She loves the fact that she can let her children freely listen to the station at any time knowing that it will be wholesome and positive.

“They have great programing,” said Taylor whose favorite programs are the call-in program by Dr. Ray that answers questions about your kids and a morning talk show that’s geared towards women. “It’s very inspiring and it’s a positive way to start the day.”

For information on the radio station’s program schedule, to donate, or to learn more about Armor of God radio, visit their website at armorofgodradio.com