Shine 104.9 Celebrates 30 Years

By Dustin R. Jones, MA

UCC Director of Communications

Shine 104.9 FM (KEEH), headquartered in Spokane, Washington, celebrated its 30th anniversary this year with a Shinefest event at the Lilac Bowl in downtown Spokane’s Riverfront Park. The free listener appreciation concert drew a crowd of more than 5,000 to hear special guests Johnny Diaz, Brandon Heath and Mac Powell.

“At a time when media surveys point to the decreasing relevance of faith in the lives of our community, we are working to make Spokane a lighthouse of hope for the local region and beyond,” said Darin Patzer, KEEH station manager.

In 1993 KEEH began broadcasting as a non-commercial radio ministry from a studio housed in the Upper Columbia Conference office.

Over the years, the station has focused on being of service to the various denominational churches and non-profit ministries of the local community. From offering free radio promotion and inviting community leaders and pastors into the studio for interviews to handing out Christian materials at events like the Bloomsday race or community fairs, KEEH has developed a reputation for being an integral part of the Christian community in Spokane.

“God has blessed and given our station tremendous influence,” said Patzer. “Shine 104.9 is fully funded by our community and has grown to be ranked as the number one station* out of all radio stations in Spokane for three separate years. That kind of success is almost unheard of nationwide for a station playing Christian music. With 1 in 9 residents of Spokane and Kootenai County reporting that they listen to the station for roughly an hour a day, tremendous bridges are being built for Christ and for the Adventist church.”

Beyond its role as a radio station, Shine 104.9 has actively engaged with the community it serves. Through charitable events, partnerships with local organizations or hosting concerts and gatherings, the station has fostered a sense of togetherness. This commitment to community building has made it an integral part of Spokane's social fabric.

The past several years, Shine 104.9 helps put on the biggest Christian discipleship conference in the Pacific Northwest.

The Be Bold for Jesus conference features Christian speakers and worship leaders who are bold for their faith, like Tim Tebow, Kirk Cameron, Lauren Daigle and Jeremy Camp. This year, the conference included Lee Strobel, Ken Ham, Greg Laurie, Adrienne Camp, Alisa Childers, Ted Cunningham, Danny Gokey and a closing keynote from Jeff Foxworthy, Christian comedian.

Additionally, KEEH has partnered annually with Water for Life in the digging of hundreds of fresh-water wells in hand with the sharing of Bible studies in rural villages of Guatemala, as well as hosting the Christmas in July food drive, which brings in thousands of pounds of non-perishable food each summer for the underprivileged in partnership with local food banks.

These and other projects are giving hope and sharing the Water of Life through the radio station’s partnership with listeners. The station attempts to give back to its listeners by providing faith-affirming events and tours to locations such as Mount St. Helens and the Holy Lands, as well as spring and fall tours of the Creation Museum and The Ark Experience in Kentucky.

“I don’t know that we can fully comprehend the reach that this station has in the Spokane community,” said Jimmy Johnson, KEEH board chair. “God continues to open doors for this ministry to impact the lives of the people in our region. We are so grateful for God’s providence in starting this station and, in turn, very mindful of His provision.”

KEEH has recently expanded and is now available in three locations: Spokane, Washington; Coeur d’Alene, Idaho; and Sandpoint, Idaho. You can tune in from anywhere to listen to Shine 104.9 through the app or website at shine1049.org.

*Copyright Nielsen Ratings, Spring 2023