The Franklin, Tenn.-headquartered parent organization of the nation’s dominant noncommercial Christian music-focused radio networks is expanding beyond the U.S., with international distribution of its content “to most of the world” coming soon. It is thanks to a just-reached agreement with Trans World Radio (TWR).
The venture between TWR, founded in 1954, and K-LOVE aims to bring audio programming to up to 190 countries, with “a special emphasis on countries that are closed or restricted to Christian missionary efforts.”
TWR’s broadcasts began on October 16, 1960, from Monte Carlo, Monaco. On August 13, 1964, it famously began transmissions on PJB-AM 800 in Bonaire, an island in the Netherlands Antilles, where it used a massive 500kw signal until 2018, when a Nautel NX-400 transmitter adjusted the output to a still-impressive 440kw.
Today, PJB is just one way TWR distributes biblical programming, offered in upward of 200 languages and dialects. With K-LOVE, TWR believes the collaboration meshes the “trusted, positive and encouraging radio brand” with TWR’s reach and relationships, “linking more people around the world to the hope of Christ and opening new territory for the Gospel through the expansion of Christian radio, particularly for unreached people groups and strategically significant locations.”
Specifically, TWR’s local ministry teams will adapt K-LOVE’s content for each culture and language, so it connects with people in their own context and heart language.
Más Amor Por Jesucristo
Additionally, K-LOVE will also be growing its Spanish-language ministry through K-LOVE Global. This sees the appointment of Ed Lenane as VP of the unit.
“Ed is a perfect fit for this role, with almost 30 years at K-LOVE and industry experience at nearly every level, including internationally,” K-LOVE said in a statement.
Lenane reports to K-LOVE Chief Of Staff Dr. Bobby Wood. Lenane will work closely with TWR while “also exploring other ways to spread the hope of Christ around the world.” He’s tasked with the assembly of a Global team drawn from internal departments to assess opportunities and accomplish the goals of this expansion.
“We believe God has brought these two ministries together to help move more people closer to Jesus by combining our strengths, expanding our reach, and creating more opportunities for lives to be transformed,” says Dr. Wood. “Together, we are seeking to make a greater impact than we could alone, advancing the mission of sharing Christ’s love with those around the world that need to hear it the most.”
TWR President Andy Schick adds, “K-LOVE excels at music and encouragement, and TWR has spent over 70 years reaching people in their own language with local teams around the world. Tom and the K-LOVE team understand that cultural differences matter, and that ministry in someone’s heart language is how you reach them with the love of Christ.”
For K-LOVE CEO Tom Stulz, “We believe the Lord used the founders of K-LOVE to create something really special by combining the passion and encouragement of talented disc jockeys with incredible music that resonates with a large portion of the population who might not otherwise tune in to a religious broadcast. When we realized we could extend our positive and encouraging messages on a global basis, we knew we had to pursue it. We are delighted TWR is as excited about this as we are. Our combined mission is to make Christ known where He’s not known.”
K-LOVE launched its first international outreach in 2025 by providing its content to existing radio ministries in Italy, Zambia and Lithuania.
Now, the organization plans to raise initial funding for this initiative from supporters with a particular interest in reaching more people for Christ through international radio expansion, it says.
