Radio Jamaica Celebrating 70 Years

R adio Jamaica has been broadcasting religious programming since its inception in 1950. The current longest-running religious programme is St Stephens Calling , which has been on air since 1952. Eight of the station’s religious programmes have been on air for 60 years, including Churches of Christ (Caribbean Evangelism) , which is the second longest-running religious programme on Radio Jamaica. The religious offerings cover a wide range of Christian denominations, including Assemblies of God, Bethel United, Christian Brethren Assemblies, Church of Christ, the Diocese of Jamaica and The Cayman Islands, Grace Missionary Church, The Jamaica Baptist Union, Moravians, Methodists, Pentecostals, and the United Church in Jamaica and The Cayman Islands. Religious programming is on air on Radio Jamaica four days a week. Outside of the news, St Stephens Calling is the longest continuously running programme on Radio Jamaica, having not left the air since its 1952 debut. Rev. Roy Dodman had this to say about the association with Radio Jamaica and St Stephens: “I think from the beginning, we have had a favourable response to our broadcasts although we have used many different presenters. Rev Stanford Webley started it all with his magnificent voice. We have always found the Radio Jamaica staff to be very amenable and helpful in ensuring the best quality of the recordings. Since COVID, the staff has been even more helpful in assisting us via virtual recordings. Due to health concerns, we do the recordings on the phone, and Richard Nembhard always finds the appropriate music for us. It has been an excellent partnership.” BREAD FOR THE FAITHFUL Page 76 Sunday July 4, 2021