Blake appeals to public for funds for program

TIM JOHNSON, Staff Writer
06/21/2003

The hostess of a religious radio program is hoping for a miracle - or at least a little help.

Theresa Blake hosted "Faith to Faith" every Sunday on KKAR 1290 AM from Sept. 8 until June 1, when it ran out of money, she said. Now, she is appealing to the public for support so the program can resume.

"I'm hoping there are people in the community who want to support the program and feel it's a worthy cause," she said.

"I think there is a great need in our community that we find out about others so we can come together as a community. We do not have to agree with anybody else's decisions, but we need to respect them as human beings and let them make those decisions in their life."

The show featured discussions of religious and ethical questions by a panel made up of representatives of different faiths, Blake said. Issues such as abortion, cloning, prophecy and spiritual healing were addressed by Islamic, Jewish, Christian, Bahai and Hindu guests.

"We take these topics, and we discuss them from each of the faith perspectives," she said.

Subjects were chosen with input from an advisory board that included Muslim Ahmad Ghosheh, Rabbi Craig Marantz of Temple Israel, University of Nebraska-Omaha professor Pamela Owens, the Rev. Steven Plank of Central Presbyterian Church in Omaha, Hindu Dr. Shantaram Joshi of NHS University Hospital and Harron Lyle of the Bahai faith, Blake said.

Among the guests were the Rev. Marvin Arnpriester of Broadway United Methodist Church, the Rev. Evan Williams of Broadway Christian Church and the Rev. Shawn Oberg of First Assembly of God Church, all of Council Bluffs.

Blake originally purchased air time for the show using donations from Atchley Ford and area religious organizations, including the Omaha Islamic Center, Temple Israel, Central Presbyterian Church, Broadway United Methodist Church and Lutheran Metro Ministries, she said. She has appealed to them again but has not received commitments for continued support.

"I need to raise probably about $3,000 to $5,000 to get back on the air and get everything going again," she said.

It would cost about $6,500 to produce another 13 weekly programs, Blake said. She estimates that she would need at least half of that up front.

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