WMLK is a shortwave radio station in Bethel, Pennsylvania owned by the Assemblies of Yahweh. WMLK takes its name from MLK, representing the consonants of the Hebrew word "malak" meaning a "messenger" or angel. A vocalisation of the word will also yield the definition salt.
History
Radio broadcasts by the Assemblies of Yahweh began in 1966 and they were called the Sacred Name Broadcast. Elder Jacob O. Meyer - the President of the Assemblies of Yahweh at the time - wanted to find a way of completing the Great Commission of without having to resort to the expensive outreach of using commercial radio stations. After some discussion with the brethren of the Assemblies of Yahweh, they decided that having a radio station of their own would be very advantageous to the ministry. They came to the conclusion that Bethel was strategically placed for sending radio signals throughout the earth, as they could cover much of the earth's landmass from their position. In 1981, the Assemblies of Yahweh bought a 50,000-watt radio transmitter which was converted into a tool for shortwave broadcasting. From this point onwards, the Assemblies of Yahweh began to build their own radio station in order to "proclaim Yahweh's Truth." Two prominent members of the Assemblies of Yahweh were hired to work on this project, both in the dismantling and rebuilding of WMLK. One of those individuals was chief engineer Deacon Gary McAvin who, after moving to Bethel with his family has continued to work on the transmitter to this day.
Shofar
The plans for WMLK's large antenna revealed the shape of a trumpet or shofar'. These steel posts, hoist the WMLK antennas skyward, standing over a busy Interstate Route 78. The Assemblies of Yahweh believe that this is a fulfilment of the prophecy found in where it talks about making ‘guide-posts’ toward the highway. Meyer took this as symbolising the voice of Yahweh going out in to the world like the blowing of the Shophar in Biblical times. The steel posts used to hoist the antenna grid in the air were recycled from sign posts used on the interstate highway. According to Assemblies of Yahweh reports, WMLK has required much sacrificial dedication from the leadership, and is often referred to as the "Messenger of Truth". In 1985 the Federal Communications Commission license was granted, and further, permission endorsed to increase the power of the WMLK radio station.
A New Transmitter in 2020
The Assemblies of Yahweh have now contracted the same company which built the 250 Kw BBC transmitter to build a new model which will enable the ministry to broadcast at up to 300,000 watts. Technological advances to the new antenna will mean not only will the audio clarity be improved but the cost to transmit will be much lower also. The Assemblies of Yahweh have prepared a building for the new instrument and so far it is being prepared in Switzerland and will be shipped to the shores of the U.S as early as 2020. The Assemblies of Yahweh is hoping to acquire the necessary funds to be able to finance this project.
Sermons
The station has been used extensively. Sermon and Bible studies have been aired across the globe, proclaiming the message of Yahweh: repentance and obedience to the Biblical Law. According to the SNB magazine, the key targeted areas were Europe and the Middle East, but the signal waves are not limited and reach far and wide. At present, audiences from 120 countries have responded. WMLK is an expensive project, but the Assemblies of Yahweh resolutely believe in witnessing this "truth" of the Bible to the nations. WMLK has stimulated much global response and has also been the theme of numerous newspaper articles. The Assemblies of Yahweh encourage all with access to regularly listen to the sermons, which are occasionally described as "the voice crying in the wilderness".
Fulfilling prophecy
The Assemblies of Yahweh believe WMLK will fulfill the prophecy of. Under this interpretation, an angel "" message is proclaiming the exclusive worship of Yahweh and proclaims the fall of Babylon, as well as the final warning message not to take the Mark of the Beast. The radio signal being a message that travels through the air all over the world, like an angel. WMLK has also streamed online through its own website and on the TuneIn website. WMLK can be heard on a shortwave radio in foreign countries when working at full capacity.
