Pat Scott Interview

Pat Scott
CEO
WPHN The Promise FM
Gaylord, MI

Career Capsule: Thank you for the opportunity to share just a little about myself and The Promise FM. Working as an Account Executive for At&t I received a phone call from the CEO at The Promise FM to interview back in December of 2012 for a position in Donor Development. Three interview’s later and much struggle with the Lord I accepted in March of 2013. Not quite 5 months into my time here I was asked to take over as CEO; this was not what I planned when I came here. Shortly after accepting my new position I went to my very first CMB conference in Orlando. I had no background in radio and no clue at all what I was going to encounter; my strength was in finances. While at CMB my first big challenge came that Friday when I received a phone call from my engineer who said that our flagship station (WPHN 100,000 watts) was struck by lightning. That was the beginning of my early days here that took me to new heights and levels I could have only imagined! Fast forward I’m not surprised at all by what I see the Lord doing here at The Promise FM and the impact that is taking place all over Northern Michigan and Ontario! We are reaching “More Hearts, More Deeply” “to God be all the Glory”!

What’s new at The Promise FM…news, changes, & with YOU…etc.?

EVERYTHING, there is nothing that hasn’t changed here; from the board, staff, programming, and the music, to the impact we are having on our listeners. With me personally I am overwhelmed at the faithfulness of the Lord and the changes in my life. I have a clear dependence on HIM more than ever and an increase in my faith to move the Vision and Mission of The Promise FM forward to “change culture for CHRIST”! I Chronicles 4:10 is and continues to be a source of inspiration: ¹⁰ Jabez cried out to the God of Israel, “Oh, that you would bless me and enlarge my territory! Let your hand be with me, and keep me from harm so that I will be free from pain.” And God granted his request.

Regarding Sharathons, what do you think makes them successful?

Nothing of “eternal importance” happens apart from prayer! Secondly our efforts to engage and connect with our listeners outside of these 4 walls are paramount to the impact we can have during our sharathons!

Generally speaking what are the biggest obstacles facing Christian Radio today?

As believers we’ve lost our first love and our moral compass and our listener is looking for answers that can only come when “we are centered upon the truth of scripture and we remind them every day of their dependence on HIM”. Couples struggling to make ends meet financially both at work away from the home struggling to make ends meet. Single parent homes whose children are being raised without a “Father” figure in their life. We need to figure out how to communicate in the shortest amount of time that has a maximum impact. A message of hope not fear; a message of love not judgment or condemnation, a message that can change a life, strengthened families and have a Kingdom impact!

Some say more Christian stations in a market the better, do you agree with that, why or why not?

I say the more the better, a healthy variety is always good and can keep all of us in check; let the listener decide for themselves who they relate too and why! I’ve used this line many times when it comes to people giving to the ministry; people have pockets of giving and as long as we provide the options the Lord will direct their hearts where He wants them to be. No different with multiple stations in an area; God can and will direct the hearts of men that can ultimately have a greater impact! We truly are stronger together than we could ever be apart!

What is the ONE thing you must have everyday to do your job?

That’s an easy one; I must spend time in the word of God and prayer every morning,  if I don’t the day is a disaster, but when I do I accomplish so much more for Him!

In what area do you believe Christian Radio needs to improve most?

How to deliver meaningful content in the shortest amount of time that there listeners get it! When you turn the mic on you better have something more meaningful to say than the song you’re about to play. Stop talking so much, let the song’s do the talking after all we are a “MUSIC” station!

What is the best managerial advice you’ve been given? The worst?

The best advice is to be transparent, seek to serve rather than be served. My father taught me there’s nothing you can’t accomplish as long as you don’t care who gets the credit! The worst advice; at the end of the day it’s all about the numbers!

Who are your radio heroes and influences? and why?

WOW, there isn’t enough space to write them all out so let me just say, those who invested in my life who didn’t have to, those who saw something in me that I didn’t see in myself, those who pick up the phone at just the right time with just the right words of encouragement and those who pray continually for me! I am a better person, I am a better servant and I am a better follower of Christ because they care! Thank you everyone for the part you play in this incredible journey; a life truly transformed!