"Hello boys and girls! I’m Uncle Dan, and I’m Aunt Sue! Welcome to Your Story Hour!"
Fifty-five years ago, March 29, 1949, this classic greeting was first heard live over radio waves from radio station WHFB, Benton Harbor, Michigan. With the immortal words of Alexander Graham Bell, "What hath God wrought?" we stand today and ask, "What has God done, and what is He doing through the ministry of Your Story Hour in the hearts and minds of boys and girls, moms and dads, grandpas and grandmas today?" Please join us as we share 55 great reasons that our listeners have shared with us to celebrate Your Story Hour's 55th birthday this March 2004.
1. Applies biblical principles: "Your true-to-life stories help us apply biblical principles to everyday situations."—Hali, Ohio
2. Produces wholesome, character-building stories: "Thank you so much for these wholesome character-building audio tapes you produce. Our 12-year-old son and his dad enjoy listening to them when they are traveling."—Melody
3. Offers exciting adventures: "I love your stories, and every time it's like a magical adventure. The episodes put me on the edge of my seat!"—Joshua, Idaho
4. Fosters belief in God: "I love to listen to your stories. They help me be a better believer in God. They help me know more about God."—Anonymous
5. Airs stories of Jesus: "Even us older folk love to hear stories of Jesus' love over and over again."—An "older" long-time listener
6. Teaches history: "Your Story Hour tells history in a most interesting and accurate way."
7. Reaches the heart: "These Bible stories reach my heart and invite us to come to Jesus."—A student
8. Becomes my mission field: "Your Story Hour is my mission field, since I can't go out and preach anymore."—A retired listener and supporter
9. Offers high-quality programming: "Thank you for a very high-quality program."
10. Produces albums: "Thank you for producing albums of CDs and cassettes that we can purchase so that we can have our own sets of wonderful stories to play anytime."—Frank, Michigan
11. Produces "Adventures in the Holy Bible:" "We are blessed by the Bible lessons on the life of Jesus Christ, 'Adventures in the Holy Bible.' They are so easy for our children to understand."—A grateful parent
12. Offers free stuff: "Like adults, children like free stuff!"—Made possible by generous donors
13. Gives opportunity for generosity: "I know Your Story Hour is a ministry of faith. It gives me an opportunity to be involved in outreach to boys and girls all over the world. When I send YSH donations, I know the money will reach out to children and bring them to Jesus."—A faithful donor
14. Sends letters and thank you cards: "When I send a gift of money to YSH, I always get a receipt and a thank you card. I like that!"—An appreciative donor
15. Makes travel fun: "Sometimes we go on long trips as a family. It's not easy for kids like me to sit for a long time in a car or plane. So we take along YSH CDs to listen to. Before you know it, we are there! Mom and Dad like them too!"—Grateful Henry
16. Shows love to children: "Thank you for all the time and effort you put into YSH. It shows boys and girls across the country how much you love them."—Alexandra (Allie)
17. Teaches all ages via classic radio: "Great stories to learn by for children five to 95!"—A long-time listener
18. Helps make right decisions: "I live in Belize, I am 13. Your Story Hour has influenced my life and helped me make right decisions in my life. Please continue the good work!"—Derry, Belize
19. Gives inspiration: "I love to hear YSH every Sunday morning. The stories are a great inspiration to my life. I am 16 years of age, but I still need help in everyday things. Thanks."—Tabatha, Louisiana
20. Teaches values: "Thank you for teaching me values of honesty, kindness, compassion and love through your stories. My grandma played your tapes for me as a little girl. I'll always give YSH credit for how I turned out."—Sharon
21. Develops vocabulary: "My son's vocabulary amazed me when he was but a child. He knew the words and their meanings. I asked him one day where he heard these 'big' words for a little fellow: His reply, 'I learned them from Your Story Hour!'"—A grateful mother and son
22. Plays to the "theatre of the mind:" "As a child listens to a dramatized audio program, the mind is trained in pronunciation of words, word usage, develops vocabulary as well as character recognition. TV does not develop this part of the 'theatre of the mind.'"—Barbara, a teacher
23. Makes a wonderful bedtime ritual: "Your stories have taught my children, ages 10 and six, many new and exciting truths. My children enjoy listening at 6:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. It makes a wonderful bedtime ritual!"—Bonnie
24. Gives parents a special tool: "Thank you for a special program that I can feel comfortable allowing my children to listen to."—Jean
25. Anchors children in decency: "Thanks to you and Your Story Hour, many children and adults continue to be anchored in innocence and decency. And many others are rediscovering these priceless Christ-like resources."—Marie, California
26. Offers Clubhouse magazine: "I’m writing on behalf of my children. They want to be in your 'clubhouse!'"—Worden, Tennessee
27. Gives kids something to do: "I love listening to Your Story Hour! It is summertime now, my Mom is working and I need something to do. Please send me the Clubhouse magazine with all the quizzes, games, and puzzles. Thanks a lot."—Kristian, California
28. Presents great drama: "When I first heard Your Story Hour I was a young disc jockey back in the 1970s. I wasn’t living for the Lord in those days. Yet I was struck by the first-rate acting team and stories. Now, more than 25 years later, I’m glad your stories are still on the air for my two young sons! If you ever need actors, I’d be honored to be of service."—Errol, Alabama
29. Brings hope: "When I was hopeless, you reminded me of Jesus. I am now 21 and have listened to you since I was 12 years old."—Diana, Idaho
30. Improves language learning: "Your Story Hour is helping me learn to speak better English while I am studying the Bible lessons."—Hector
31. Earns homeschooling reader award: "Being a Practical Homeschooling reader award winner (YSH tied for 1st place in 2003), is the highest honor the homeschool community can bestow. A win reflects actual customer satisfaction with your product (educational audio cassettes)."—Practical Homeschooling magazine, Missouri
32. Encourages listeners: "Your stories are so encouraging! They’ve helped me through a lot of hard times. I just got converted about two weeks ago, and tonight I’m being baptized!"—Breanna, Tennessee
33. Educates the whole family: "I find your program educational for my whole family. We want to begin the Bible course immediately. Thank you for hurrying."—Tim, Ohio
34. Makes children happy! "We received your 'Love Letter,' cassette of Story of Jesus and quiz sheets. My children are very happy to have the stories. But please, we need a Bible to help us prepare the lessons. Please send us a Bible. We are waiting for your response!"—Rachael, Philippines
35. Ministers to all denominations: "Your Story Hour comes to our churches and teaches the Bible. These lessons can be used by any Bible-believing Christian church. Keep up this important ministry for our Lord."—A Jesus-loving Christian
36. Ministers to orphans: "Your stories help us missionaries who are teaching boys and girls in orphanages to love Jesus. Thank you."—Glenna
37. Reaches out to new countries: "We know that Your Story Hour is reaching out to boys and girls in Russia and Spanish-speaking countries. But we are excited to learn that you are preparing to reach millions and millions of Chinese boys and girls in China. Praise God!"—Wee Fong, China
38. Creates Christmas-style excitement: "Opening a package from YSH makes it seem like Christmas, whatever the time of year! Your stories are a blessing to my boys whom I homeschool. Thanks."—A homeschooling mom, New Jersey
39. Needs no editing: "Your Bible stories and true-to-life character-building stories need no editing! What a wonderful phenomenon for our day when the world throws so much garbage before our children."—Julie
40. Produces masterpieces: "I was thinking the other day about all the work it takes to make just one story—the writers, the actors with unique voices, the various sound effects that help our minds form a dynamic picture, the selection of mood music, the recording technicians who edit the entire story into one smooth, perfectly produced masterpiece that is engineered to fit exactly into 29 minutes and 10 seconds. A work of art!"—Hank, Michigan
41. Changes lives: "Your Story Hour has a unique way of changing the lives of boys and girls, moms and dads for good, that is non-threatening."—Linda, Indiana
42. Teaches easily understood truth: "What a blessing! Your Story Hour teaches truth in story-form and in language that all ages can easily understand and appreciate."—Barbara, Michigan
43. Plants seeds: "Your organization is doing a marvelous work in helping to implant the seeds of honesty, kindness, perseverance, generosity, and morality in the hearts of our boys and girls. God bless you."—Yvonne, Mississippi
44. Makes Bible stories live: "You guys make the Bible stories just come to life. What a blessing and delight!"—Bridget, Louisiana
45. Informs via "Love Letter:" "I enjoy reading the 'Love Letter' from the Internet."—Belinda, Singapore
46. Reaches into prisons: "Greetings in Jesus’ name from prison! Your Story Hour is reaching into the hearts of men and women in this place. People are finding and accepting Jesus through your Bible stories. Please send your Bible stories to my children...."—James, California
47. Uses radio—God’s tool: "My best friend is my radio, so I am always looking and listening for good programs. Two Saturdays ago I came across Your Story Hour broadcast. I enjoyed the story about Joseph. The radio signal isn’t very strong, but I strain my ears to hear your program. Please send me a cassette. Thank you."—Ayola, Trinidad
48. Teaches about the Lord: "The Your Story Hour broadcast has also been a blessing to me. I always listen to the stories on the radio, and I’ve invited my friends to listen to it so that they can learn more about our Lord. May God continue to bless you."—Rochelle, Grenada
49. Helps children share: "When I was a little girl, I was one of the child actors which were used on Tu Historia Preferida, the Spanish-language Your Story Hour program. I learned through that experience how important it was to get an education and use what I studied in school to help other boys and girls to know Jesus as Savior."—Sarah, Michigan
50. Becomes a companion: "I love listening to Your Story Hour. Sometimes I feel so alone, and when I hear the stories, I don’t feel alone at all. Thank you for the encouragement and your love, which you show through your stories."—Subhasni, Fiji
51. Teaches us English: "We like the English stories because we can hear the words used in conversations. I want to learn English the best way I can, and these dramatized stories are not only interesting, they teach me."—Li, China
52. Gives "healthy doses:" "When I was driving my children to church in Cooperstown, Oneonta, we would listen to Your Story Hour on Christian radio. My four children all grew up with healthy doses of Uncle Dan and Aunt Sue almost every day. I feel that your stories had a wonderful impact on their outlooks on life."—Lyn, South Africa
53. Links churches to Web site: "There is so little for the children to do during the long winter months. Can we put a link on our church Web site to connect to Your Story Hour? We are starting up a children’s page. What a blessing it is to work for the children!"—Lynn and Mary, Iowa
54. Broadcasts on the Internet: "I am so glad that Your Story Hour is going to broadcast (webcast) on the Internet. I used to listen to your programs all the time on the radio, but where I live now I can’t hear them. However, on the Internet I can hear them any time night or day. Thank you for giving me back Your Story Hour. I will check the Web site for the schedule."—Marcus, New Jersey
55. Reflects a tradition of Christian principles: "When I was living next door to the founder of Your Story Hour, I was always treated very nicely. When I made some wrong decisions in life and got into a lot of trouble, Uncle Dan was always willing to help and encourage me. I felt rejected by others, but he kept right on cheering me up. I will never forget what Uncle Dan did for me. So now every time I hear his voice, I remember that he was the one who not only acted on the radio, he acted out Christian principles in his life."—Anonymous
Wow! These are 55 great reasons to celebrate our 55th birthday! I am sure that you could add another great reason to this list. Thanks for taking time to read each one. It is time to say, "Good-bye." As we do, let me share this heart-warming story with you from Carrie in Tennessee.
"My eldest daughter (13) finished the Adventures lessons on 'The Life of Jesus' tapes. My youngest daughter, Janae (4) had listened to the tapes and thoroughly enjoyed them. She listens to one tape over and over ‘til we all know the story word for word! A few weeks ago, Janae and I were on a long road trip. On such trips we usually carry YSH tapes with us. We were listening to the tape about Matthew, the tax collector. On this tape Jesus gives a gospel presentation about God’s love and acceptance. After the tape finished, Janae was quiet for a time. Then she said, 'Mommy, I want to give my heart to Jesus.’ I encouraged her to pray right there in her car seat. This was her prayer: ‘Dear Jesus, I’ve made some bad decisions. Please clean my heart and forgive me. Help me to be good. Amen.’ It was a precious moment. Thank you for your gospel ministry. And thank you, Lord, for the continuing ministry of Your Story Hour!"
