History Timeline
1975
Early in Pastor Bud Hennessey’s life, “Christian Radio” had a profound effect upon his spiritual growth. He realized what a wonderful tool it was for encouraging people in their daily walk with the Lord. In 1975 as Intermountain Baptist Church began, Pastor Bud prayed for an open door on the local radio station. Within that first year, he began a program called “The Good News” on KAVA AM. It aired 2 times a day just before and after the national news. Then in 1978, he started a Sunday evening program called “The New Song”. It was a two hour program of music and thoughts from the Bible. His wife Leona and Mother-in-Law Ruth helped to put scripts together. Gordon Mildrum helped to cue up the records as Pastor Bud spoke between the songs.
1984
Pastor Bud was grateful for the opportunity to do these programs. However, the desire of a full time Christian radio station in Burney remained strong. With help from a Broadcast Engineer, Pastor Bud found that the 90.5 FM frequency was available. In 1984 Burney Educational Broadcasting Foundation was formed. After applying with the FCC a permit was granted. Through miracle after miracle God provided a 400 watt tube transmitter, a place in the phone company’s building, and a spot on their tower for KIBC’s antenna.
1987
In 1987 KIBC went on the air for 15 hours a day with an all-volunteer staff. In 1994 God provided a bigger transmitter raising our power from 400 watts to 3000 watts. Praise the Lord!
1998
When our lease with the phone company was no longer available in 1998 we cried out to God for His provision. God miraculously provided us a plot of land to lease on which we were able to build our own building. He also provided an 80’ pole for our antenna. What initially looked to be bad God used for good to provide us our own building and tower.
2000
In the early 2000’s we upgraded our studio to Computer Automation. We were no longer required to physically man the station 24/7. The music and programs could be entered and we could walk away while it continued to send God’s message of hope and peace over the airwaves.
2011
We need a new transmitter! The old tubed transmitter from the 50s, was very sensitive to power fluctuations. Quite often power outages on Hatchet Mt would blow the tubes. This usually happened during bad weather requiring an adventurous trip up the mountain to change them. As the years went by these tubes got harder and harder to find. The new transmitter we were looking at was solid state retailing for $21,000. As donations came in God timed each donation to fit a specific need, but there was never extra to start a transmitter fund. Winter was coming and parts were no longer available. This was so far beyond us, all we could do was go to our knees and cry out to an Almighty God. We believe that is the way God wants it. If we can do it on our own, we get the credit. But when it is impossible, He gets all the glory. In late summer of 2011 the radio went off the air. Sure enough one of the tubes had blown. Pastor Alvin’s Father-in-law was visiting and said, “I have a radio engineer that comes to my church in Indiana. He designs Solid State Transmitters for HCJB, a worldwide Christian radio organization. I’m going to give him a call.” It turned out that HCJB had a transmitter all ready to go to a new station in South Africa but they weren’t ready for it yet. They said they had never done this before but they were willing to send it to us at cost. At cost is great but still expensive! Later that day someone called saying they were putting a $12,000 check in the mail and within a short time the rest of the money came in right on time. We had a Solid State Transmitter. To God be all the Glory!
2012
November 30, 2012, we had a major wind storm causing the station to go off the air. We assumed it was a power failure but the next day rounding the last curve on Hatchet Mountain Pastor Alvin exclaimed “Where’s our tower!” The wind snapped our 80’ pole and shattered our antenna. God was at work. When the tower fell it did minimal damage to other towers in the area. There was just enough extra wire coiled in the building that our new transmitter was not harmed. We were able to purchase equipment to run the station on low power while Richie Hathaway helped us set a temporary pole. Now we were just waiting on parts to get us up and running, but the parts kept getting delayed. Some of them were on backorder. Why the wait? December 30th Pastor Alvin’s 6yr old daughter was found unresponsive and having seizure like attacks. She ended up having to go to UC Davis for 18 days. God knew that Alvin needed to be with his family, not trying to get the radio back on the air. So God delayed the parts. On the very day his daughter got home from the hospital the parts arrived. Having a child in the hospital prompted Pastor Alvin’s brother in law, Phil Vander Werf to come out for a visit. While here he was able to help install the antenna and get us back on the air. God’s timing is perfect.
2013
Richard Hathaway helped us dig and pour the 25yd tower foundation in 2013. The Lord led us to purchase a heavy duty, self-supporting tower. When we went to pick up the new tower in Sacramento, we immediately noticed that the holes they drilled in the base were the wrong pattern for the bolts that were already set in the concrete. They felt bad about making us wait for them to drill new holes so they threw in a bunch of extra hardware for free. We did not know we would need those parts. But God knew what we needed. He provided the resources, volunteers, and Carlton’s crane to help put up the tower. Everything came together at precisely the right time. Over and over God proved himself faithful. God works all things together for good. We praise Him!
2016
In January of 2016, we started streaming online at kibcfm.org. With streaming, comes more changes. Now we have to report each song we air for royalty purposes. The added work is worth it to see God using the online stream to reach across the globe.
2019
In 2019, the Lord provided for a Backup Generator at both the studio and transmitter sites. This has greatly reduced the time being off the air due to the frequent power outages on Hatchet Mountain.
2021
A major studio remodel project was completed in 2021. It is acoustically sound for recording purposes, technically well equipped and aesthetically pleasing. Each step of the way God provided the finances, materials, and volunteers. Now we have a beautiful new studio!
Today
This is just a small sample of what God has done in keeping His station on the air. We are humbled that He uses our feeble efforts and blesses abundantly beyond what we could ask or think.