Radio disc jockey enjoys role with contemporary Christian music station

Bobbi Ann Mason is a familiar name, and voice, to radio listeners in the area. The former a.m. personality for K103, she now combines her love of radio with her faith at KHIS.

The radio station was started in 2007 and now, according to Mason, has the largest signal for a contemporary Christian music station between St. Louis and Memphis, Tenn.

In today's Ministry Focus, Mason shares her faith and what she enjoys about working in radio ministry.

Q: Tell us a little about yourself.  

A: I grew up in Farmington, Mo., and had the best childhood. According to my friends, we were the "Cleavers." Mom and Dad are still there and have been married 45 years. I'm the middle kid with two brothers. So I learned to throw a good punch, and since they were never allowed to hit girls, I annoyed them greatly. Erik Sean and I have been married for 12 years and have been blessed with two amazing daughters. Chloe is 9 and Josie is 4.

Q: How long have you been a member of your faith?

A: I joke that I was brought up "Bapti-Methi-Costal." Church has always been a part of my life. I grew up fearing God and respecting Him, but eventually learned that for me to have the "fear of the Lord" didn't mean I had to be afraid of Him. When I finally figured out that it wasn't a fear of Him, but it was a fear of living without Him, I was transformed. 

Q: Who or what inspired you to join KHIS?  

A: Honestly, it was my kids. I loved my previous job at K103, but it was very time consuming with all of the responsibilities there. When I was approached about being on KHIS, I knew the timing was a "God thing." I now have more opportunities for things like school field trips. Also, now I have the honor of working in a ministry.

Q: What's the greatest joy you've experienced while working in contemporary Christian music? 

A: I am an on-air junkie. It's what I love. So my greatest joy is getting to share uplifting music, making listeners laugh a little, and keeping listeners company. But, I think most of all it's the realness. There's an incredible level of transparency with everyone on staff at KHIS and the audience. But as Christians and as a ministry, we need that. If there are people who listen to KHIS for the first time, our goal is to let them know that they are loved no matter what they are in the middle of … no matter how low they feel. We all have junk, we all struggle, but we all have an Abba Daddy that loves us no matter what.

Q: What's the greatest challenge you face? 

A: Finances. Like all other nonprofit ministries, we depend on donations.

Q: What changes have you seen at the radio station and ministry since its inception in April 2007? 

A: 107.9 KHIS started out at as a 100 Watt Low-Power FM signal that covered mainly Cape. God opened doors so that KHIS could purchase a much larger FM signal at 89.9. So since November of 2010, KHIS has become the largest Contemporary Christian music radio station signal between St. Louis and Memphis.

Q: What's next for the radio station? 

A: We want to eventually be able to make some purchases that would allow us to be at more community events. We are also trying to be more instrumental in bringing Christian events not only to Cape, but also to surrounding communities.

Q: What other Christian radio stations have you all learned from, and what makes KHIS unique? 

A: JoyFM in St. Louis has been a mentor station for KHIS since day one, and we try to emulate some of what KSBJ in Houston does. Christian music fans are very familiar with K-Love, and while they do have a great product, the DJ's are not local. KHIS is unique from all of those stations because our on-air staff is made up entirely of volunteers. They work at local businesses or churches, live life right along side KHIS listeners, and volunteer their time on-air. Although it may not be anything new in ministry, that is unique in radio.

Q: What's your favorite Bible verse and why? 

A: I've always said that Philippians 4:13 was my favorite. "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." But recently my 9-year-old made me think. She told me her favorite verse was the first half of Genesis 1:31. "God saw all that he had made, and it was very good." She then rocked my world when she said, "Mom, everything He made was good. He still makes everything good." So now I think that might be my favorite verse, a reminder to think like a child and realize that despite all that we see around us, what God always makes is good.