AMERICUS - A spiritual awakening has hit the airwaves.

Americus now has a 24-hour gospel radio station, WLEL 94.3 FM The Light.

The new station is located in the office of the Sumter NAACP and Americus-Sumter Observer in Americus and is a project of CLI Radio LLC. It is operated by the Rev. James Utley, a shareholder in the company.

The station launched its broadcast earlier this year but recently finished some wiring and other efforts to complete the set up.
"It seems like we are finally making some progress," Utley said.

The station broadcasts within about a 70-mile radius, reaching out to sections of Columbus, Montezuma, Perry, Albany and Fort Valley and other areas.

The urban and contemporary gospel music station went on the air initially with light programming with a broad playlist would include artists from the old school like Shirley Caesar and Mahalia Jackson to more modern artists such as Kirk Franklin, BeBe and CeCe Winans, Take 6 and Mary Mary.

Secular artists with gospel records are also on the playlist.

"This is a station ideal for the community," Utley said.

However, Utley said he wants the commercial-driven station to develop a good relationship with area churches and the community. He plans to bring a local person in soon to help make the station more local-oriented.

"We want to be part of this community," Utley said.

Music won't be the only inspirational listening from the station. The station will also run religious programs like the Bobby Jones Gospel Hour and Solution Radio.