KILLEEN, TEXAS In mid-June television stations nationwide will make the final switch to digital broadcast, and on Sunday, May 24th, 81-year-old Catherine Mason, general manager of Christian television station KPLE in Killeen, Texas, will take a flying leap of faith to help ensure that her station can make a smooth digital transition.
KPLE, an independent affiliate of religious broadcasting giant Trinity Broadcasting Network (TBN), has raised almost $150,000 for equipment required to make the digital switch, but still needs an additional $50,000 to complete the June transition required by the FCC. To help with the final funding push, Mason will take to the air on May 24th, 4:00 p.m., at the nearby Salado, Texas Airport, to make her very first skydivea tandem jump with a skydiving professional.
Youre never to old to step out in faith for God, said Mason, who has managed KPLE for the last 16 years. Our viewers have done so much over the years to keep Christian broadcasting going 24/7 in central Texas, and I am taking this leap of faith to thank them and to challenge others to get involved.
Mason explained that KPLE is the only 24-hour Christian television station between the central Texas communities of Waco and Austin, and its broadcast coverage includes Fort Hoodthe largest military installation in the free world. She also noted the significance that her jump is taking place on the Memorial Day weekend. When I take this jump, it will be for all our military personnel who have served our nation both past and present, she said. Memorial Day is a time to remember all those who have served to keep us free. Its a time to thank God for blessing this nation with His Word, His mercy, and His grace that has sustained us for over 200 years.
Bob Higley, TBNs vice president for affiliate relations, said that Catherine Masons leap of faith is representative of the spirit that has guided Christian television for over 30 years. The individuals and teams who keep TBNs five distinct networks on the air 24 hours a day around the world are individuals with a spirit of faith and adventure, just like Catherines he said. They are individuals who have literally given their all to make sure that faith and family-friendly programming is an integral part of the choice viewers have on a daily basis.
Those wishing to acknowledge Masons jump by contributing to KPLEs digital upgrade can do so at the stations website, www.kpletv.org. For those wishing to witness Catherines skydive, log on to www.skydivetemple.com or call 254-947-3483 for directions to the Salado Airport.
About TBN
TBN is the worlds largest religious network and Americas most watched faith channel. Each day TBN offers 24 hours of commercial-free inspirational programming that appeals to people in a wide variety of denominations. TBN now reaches every major continent via 54 satellites and more than 12,000 television and cable affiliates worldwide. In the United States, TBN is available to 92 percent of the total households. Its website receives more than 27 million visitors monthly. In addition to TBN, the network owns and operates seven networks, including: The Church Channel, JCTV youth network, TBN Enlace USA Spanish network, and Smile of a Child TV childrens network. For more information on TBN, visit www.tbn.org.
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