Dear friends of TLN,
It’s mind-boggling to think that we have been at this for one year. The Lord has richly blessed us in our work, enabling us to reach all around the world to literally tens of thousands of people through the medium of podcasting. Technological advancements make this type of global reach very easy today – so easy, in fact, that four guys from small towns in three states can get together, with the help of their wives, and fully fund and produce podcasts that reach the masses.
We are not here to brag. The aforementioned data is referenced only to show you the good that TLN is able to accomplish. By implementing new ideas and consistently producing our weekly podcasts, we believe more people will learn of The Light Network and, thus, more souls will be reached in the coming year, the Lord willing.
The team at The Light Network remains focused on our mission: to encourage, to enlighten, and to empower people to serve God. This has been our mission statement from day one. We would love to hear from you concerning how we might improve in fulfilling our mission. Please see our interact page for ways to contact us.
Though we are not promised one more second on earth, we realize that good stewardship of time demands that we make plans for the future. We are excited about 2014! Here are our goals:
- Audio-only podcasts. You have likely already noticed this change in our current shows. Going audio-only will help us focus on our content rather than the many distractions and technical difficulties that often came with video. It is also much cheaper, and will give us versatility to more effectively cover special events, such as lectureships.
- New shows. We told you about some of our new podcasts back in the summer, but they were not ready to be released when we had originally intended. Rather than releasing a product before it is fully ready, we elected to wait to release the new shows until we could devote the time that each one needed. We are excited to announce that pilot episodes have now been recorded and we are in the process of setting up iTunes feeds! Be watching in late January as we add these podcasts to our current lineup: This Christian Life, Late Night at TLN, Wifey Wednesdays (for women), The Royal Family Podcast (for women), and The Church on Trial. These will join our current lineup of podcasts: Biblical Manliness, The Book Club, Culture Shock, and Preachers in Training. More information about each new show will be made available soon, including a brief description of each podcast, and how you can subscribe to their iTunes feeds.
- Increased social media presence. We believe that interaction in social media is key to expanding our audience. In the coming year, you will notice increased activity from our Facebook page, Twitter account, and Pinterest board. In 2013, we have primarily used these channels to make you aware of new content that is available. In the coming year, it is our goal to use these tools to share Bible verses, great quotes, and other visual and textual information that will fulfill TLN’s mission statement. Additionally, we will be hosting giveaways through our social media sites. If you aren’t following us on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest, we encourage you to do so now!
- eMail Newsletter: This Week at TLN. This will be a weekly, brief newsletter that is delivered right to your email inbox. It’s purpose will be to let you know what episodes were released in the previous week. The email will be sent each Saturday with links to ensure that you haven’t missed any of TLN’s content. Some giveaways will also be channeled through our weekly newsletter. Subscribe to our email list now so you can begin receiving this weekly newsletter in January.
- A weekly theme once each quarter. Four times a year, we will devote all of our podcasts to one common theme for an entire week. That theme will be examined and studied within the niche that each podcast serves. The intent is that, by the end of the week, that quarter’s theme will have been thoroughly examined, thus equipping listeners with Bible knowledge relative to that quarter’s theme. Quarterly themes planned for 2014 include “Scripture Through the Screen,” “Uncomfortable Issues: Sincere Doubt,” and “God and Government.”
Finally, we would like to take this moment to thank Torrey Clark and Brad McNutt for the superb work they do each week. Each episode of every podcast is a must-hear! Saving the best for last (sorry Torrey and Brad), we want to express a huge thanks to all of the TLN wives, Alexandra Clark, Melissa Clevenger, Emily Hatfield, and Brooke McNutt for their work with our women’s programming and for their support in our endeavors.
Thank you for your support of The Light Network. We are humbled by your encouragement through emails, comments, and your sharing our podcasts through social media. We rely on you to get the word out about our work. Please continue to include The Light Network in your prayers.
To God be the glory!
Chris and Robert (TLN Directors)
