MONTREAL, QC-André Joly loves radio. He believes in its power to reach the masses. And for 30 years he has dreamed of using the airwaves to communicate the Christian message to Quebecers, especially through music.

Now it seems that his dream might become a reality.

Since September 2003, Joly-a reporter with CJRC in Ottawa since 1983-has been meeting with a group of people who are interested in making the project work.

Leaders from his own Baptist denomination and at least three other ministry groups already involved in broadcasting are working with consultants and engineers from a nearby American Christian radio station to proceed with the necessary plans and paperwork.

The group’s preference was an FM station, which, according to Joly, has better sound quality. Because there was no FM frequency available in Montreal, they have opted for 650 AM, with call letters CKZW. The advantage of AM, says Joly, is that they can cover a larger territory.

The next major decision is whether to build three towers and run a 24-hour station, or to proceed with only one tower, which would equip them for dawn to dusk transmission.

"Of course we would prefer three towers," says Joly. "But that means buying or renting one million square-feet of land in the Montreal area. And that means a lot of money."

As the group continues to raise funds and awareness through benefit concerts, they are also looking for help from outside the province. "This is a missionary effort. Our own churches are having trouble paying their pastors. They don’t have a lot of extra money right now to invest in radio," says Joly.

After the location has been selected, the project requires Industry Canada approval before proceeding with a proposal to the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission.

Joly, who is also an elder in his home church and a member of the denominational board, admits the process is long and time-consuming. "It would be easy to get discouraged," he says. "But I am an evangelist. I believe that radio is the best way to get the gospel message to the masses.

"Only God knows how long this will take. If it were up to me, we would have been on air yesterday."