Award winning Radio Gospel Show host, Jeshurun Okyere has disclosed he’s been capable of sustaining his music career as a gospel artiste and as Christian radio show host by dint of hard work.
Okyere noted that he didn’t understand the drift of his constant prayer asking God to use him, till he had a phone call that changed his normal life to a more desirable one.
According to him, he received a phone call asking him if he would like to motivate and inspire other young people on radio for 2 hours each day but asked for time to pray over the request.
The answer to his prayers was ‘Prepare’ which got him listening to other similar shows to get himself acquainted with the programme since that was his first time on radio as a presenter.
One and half years down the line, the host of LIVE FM’s early morning Christian radio show on Light on Live, Jeshrun Okyere, won the 2017 RTP Award for Radio Gospel Show Host, something he least expected.
Asked what his motivation was, the ‘Healing Stream’ hitmaker said, “Who told you there’s no way to get it done? Who said you can’t be different and still shine.”
Earning this prestige, Jeshurun Okyere revealed he was inspired to host ‘LightOnLive’ in order to become a source of refreshing for many families, students, young people.
About 2 years ago, I had a phone call that changed the course of my life for better for worse. I had been praying for God to “use me” without clearly understanding what I was asking for. I didn’t know he was going to open a door that would cause me to wake up at 3am every morning to worship, pray and inspire his people.
The call ask if I would like to motivate and inspire other young people on radio for 2hours each day. I remember clearly the look on @nathanielblow’s face in the car… I could instantly read his mind: he was saying pray about it first. And exactly that was my response. In prayer, all I kept hearing the Lord say to me was “Prepare”.
So I started gathering my thoughts, listening to other radio shows in Ghana and abroad, finding what they were not doing that would make a christian radio show fun and deep at the same time.
The preparation took 6months. Yes ! The opportunity could have gone to another person but I resolved in my heart never to on air unprepared. I didn’t want to sound like any body else in radio. I didn’t want my show to be ”another” radio show. It had to be different and relevant to my audience.
Finally, I was on air after one week of training etc and by my 3rd week on air, all I kept hearing from my friends was that I sounded like a pro – broadcaster. hihihi …lol me? But one day right after my show I got a phone call from my CEO @bolarayofficial : ” You rock ! that was super , you are doing amazing”. At that point I felt like I was dreaming.
One and half years down the line, #LightOnLive has become a source of refreshing for many families, students, young people and it keep getting better. Then … I get a call that I have be nominated for #RTP2017 awards – Gospel Radio Show Host of the year and I saw all the other big names in the category and I was like ‘chai’. The lesson : Who said you can’t do it ?
Some people have been asking how I combine music and radio. I don’t think God created anyone with just one skill. You can have one dominant gift but with skills u can be excellent in many areas.Its not just a matter of the weight of the income we get but for the depth of impact we desire. The principle is preparation, focus and dedication.
Okyere beat off competition from some notable gospel radio hosts including Nana Yaw Sarfo of Vision 1 FM also in Accra. Programmes Manager at LIVE FM, Antoine Mensah, who picked the award on behalf of Okyere, told an impressed audience that the award meant a lot to both presenter and station.
A show with a large on and off air appeal, it airs weekdays, 4-6am, and continues to be an early morning must-listen.
The radio and Personality Awards was the seventh by Big Events Ghana. It was supported by a number of companies from corporate Ghana.
