Tom Quick likens his two-hour, monthly radio broadcast to Salvation Army open-air meetings.

“I do the program with a lot of faith,” he says. “I have no idea what good I am doing for people behind closed doors. I don't even know how many people listen.”

Keeping track of numbers is no easy task for Quick. Not only does he broadcast on the last Monday of every month on CKWR 98.5FM as part of the “Monday Evening Concert,” but his program is also streamed online on two websites: The Salvation Army Amsterdam West Corps website created by Pieter Van Horssen and Australian John Bannister's salvoaudio.com.

“It is people like Pieter and John that make the show what it is,” says Quick. “Without them, my program would just be a local radio broadcast.”

Quick—who was born in St. Ives Cornwall, England, moved to Australia and then to Canada—is a third-generation Salvationist. He currently worships at Hespeler Community Church, Ont. with his wife, Betty Ann.

Hespeler Community Church is one of many Salvation Army communities from Southern Ontario that sponsor the two-hour Monday night broadcasts. Additionally, Quick has received overseas sponsorship from Ken Ward in the United Kingdom, Pieter van Horssen in The Netherlands and Albert Stewart in Australia.

“I wanted to involve corps to make it a community event,” says Quick. “A representative from the sponsor will come on air and talk about what services they offer their community such as Sunday services, meals and clothes. But that is only a small part of the program. People tune in for the music, so the program is 80 percent music.”

As a result of his international background, the music includes songsters, brass bands and soloists from around the world including the Canadian Staff Band, Brisbane City Temple Band (Australia), the International Staff Band and other groups from Amsterdam, Japan, Germany and Argentina, to name a few.

“The radio station laid down rules about not praying or preaching on air,” Quick says, “but Salvation Army music speaks for itself, and so I will read words from the Army Song Book of the song that I am about to feature.”

Beyond Monday Night
Quick has always been an avid listener of classical music and when he joined a classical music society in Brisbane, Australia, that later became a radio station devoted to the genre, an interest in radio emerged.

This has led to his involvement in various radio programs including “Let There Be Praise.” The half-hour Sunday night Salvation Army radio program is described by Quick as the “genesis” to his current Monday night broadcast. For eight years, individual Army officers offered prayer and inspirational meditations between Salvation Army music.



The program developed a community thirst for Army music, a thirst that is still able to be met through Quick's two-hour monthly program now that Let There Be Praise has been retired.

Let There Be Praise began when Quick envisioned a Salvation Army-sponsored Christmas Eve broadcast with the purpose of thanking the community for their support throughout the year. He talked to Major Sterling Snelgrove, his corps officer at the time, who contacted Major George Patterson, then public relations officer for Ontario Great Lakes Division.

The Christmas Eve program commenced as a three-hour broadcast and has been going for 10 years. Quick's wife, Betty Ann, offers support for the program by answering the phones.

“Lots of non-Salvationists call in,” says Quick. “On one particular Christmas Eve, in just two-and-a-half hours we gave away 84 territorial Christmas CDs. I was told by the station manager that for every phone call, there are about 100 listeners. So it was a huge response.”

Moreover, Quick volunteers at Faith FM (faithfm.org)—a Christian radio station in his local area—on a program called Music for the Soul. It is a Wednesday night program that always includes some Salvation Army music.

“People from around the world have contacted me because they have heard my Monday night broadcast somewhere online,” says Quick. “The response has been amazing and it is an honour to be able to share The Salvation Army's message through music.”

To find out about Tom's upcoming broadcasts, or to listen to previous ones, visit his website (provided by Steef Klepke, the Netherlands): salvos.com/tomquick. Tom can also be contacted for requests and suggestions at quickmusic@sgci.com.

Comment

On Thursday, March 15, 2012, Mateyi Sarah said:

Hi Tom,

I am very pleased to see the good work you are doing towards uplifting the SA name and winning souls to Christ our Lord. May the almighty God bless you.

On Wednesday, February 29, 2012, captain cherister hanunka said:

thanks for the artcle you are a blessing .i feel blessed here in zambia .i pray for more God's favour upon your minstry.i also pray that one day we as the army will have own channel on free ta air channel.

On Sunday, December 25, 2011, Mike Adika said:

Hi Tom

Thanks for the great work you are doing.God Bless you.

On Saturday, November 5, 2011, Ndombele João Baptista said:

Gostei bastante Porque este Leva o arrependimento as pessoas traves do exercito de salvação

[Translation]: Because I really liked this leads people to repentance beams Salvation Army

On Wednesday, November 2, 2011, Wilhard Murunga said:

Hi Tom,
Am proud to read the works of your ministry; may the good Lord bless you and expand this noble course to the entire Army world.
Long Live The Salvation Army!!!

On Wednesday, September 14, 2011, Adejoro Joshua said:

Nice work Tom, and my prayer is that God will bless you and your good work.

On Monday, August 29, 2011, Edmund Abia - Major said:

This is to congratulate you for this wonderful program. This is to the glory of God and it also promote the Salvation Army.

This will comfort many souls and bring others attention to the savior. May God bless you to make this program great. Stay blessed.

On Sunday, July 31, 2011, Augustus Webaale said:

I'm very interested in making International Airwaves with Army Music and I like it so much.
At present I'm working at the Salvation Army Tororo Children's Home as a Centre Manager and this is now the fourth year in service. I care for 60 children who are orphans. They like to participate in Music, Gospel Dance, Timbrels, football/netball, etc.

On Wednesday, July 27, 2011, Archibong said:

Tom, thanks for moving the Army forward with your effort. May God continually bless you.

On Tuesday, July 19, 2011, nyantakyi enock said:

i really like what ever happens on the radio though am not in Canada am in Ghana but my people there really tells me what do happens there. i want to work there in future. am a true salvationist

On Thursday, July 14, 2011, Tariq Javed Nashaber said:

Thanks for the mail. May Almighty flourish this mission more and more in coming future.Amen.

On Thursday, July 14, 2011, Michael Olatunde said:

Thank you Tom for this wonderful means of reaching out for Jesus. I hereby pledge my continued prayer support for this ministry. Keep it up and I pray that God will continue to bless and strengthen you and your wife. Greetings and love from Nigeria.

On Wednesday, July 13, 2011, Graham Johnson said:

Hi Tom,

Your programs are very inspirational. I record them to CD and play them in my car. They are good accompaniment when travelling. Thanks for your efforts which are much appreciated. God bless you in all your endeavours. I eagerly await your program each month.

Graham, from Moonah in Tasmania, Australia.

On Wednesday, July 13, 2011, Christian R. Smith said:

Dear good friends in the Lord,

I will like to be fully part of this program and so that things about the school system can be highlighted most of the time.

On Monday, July 11, 2011, Joshua Rwolekya said:

Thank you you Tom, i have been a keen follower of your programmes here in Africa; though the programme is not known to many here in Kenya due to the slow pace in terms of technology; it is my desire that this will pick up.
kindly would you also play something form a CD form the Kenya Territory; at least i believe you received one recording back in 2008 form Mr. John Vincent who had introduced me to your programmes.

On Thursday, July 7, 2011, Jonathan Evans said:

To the ends of the earth. This is where the Salvation Army should be. I know someone who in Vancouver has lost connection with the Salvation Army but has been reached because of this broadcast.

On Wednesday, June 15, 2011, Graham said:

My cousin, Ian Barton has a website featuring the old Regal Zonophone '78 recordings and more.
Really worth a look if you like 'Army' music.
http;//www.regalzonophone.com

On Wednesday, June 15, 2011, R. J. Johnston said:

Tom is the greatest!

I've been doing live radio daily from 9am - 2pm for a whopping five months and change now and one of the first people I met on the job was Mr. Tom Quick. I thought I was busy, but watching Tom fit all he does into a week (with time left over for his garden) is awe-inpiring, to say the least. Nevertheless, he's been free with his time and advice and for that I'll be forever grateful.

Keep up the great work!

And be sure to catch Tom and myself throughout the week on FM 98.5 CKWR in Waterloo Region or visit www.ckwr.com to listen live around the world!

On Sunday, June 12, 2011, Corrie and Rick said:

We are proud of the accomplishments Tom has done with his brodcast. The devotion Tom and Betty has given to our Hespeler Church Band and Gosbel Brass is truly inspirational.

On Tuesday, June 7, 2011, ha young lee said:

tom!hi!
i'm not good at english
but you cool!:)

On Monday, June 6, 2011, Hugor said:

I'm really proud of what Tom did and I'm sure he has a very large reward. Because God tells us in his word that we shake the head and not the tail. May God bless you for this great work

On Saturday, June 4, 2011, john said:

Great venue to present Good News where other doors would be closed....window of opportunity ....enjoying the broadcast.....from Edmonton area....Beaumont, AB

On Wednesday, June 1, 2011, MARIANNE TZAUT-HAUSDORFF said:

wonderfull tribute TOM, i was so glad to hear more about your beautiful music that you are sharing for us....NOW, I HAVE STARTED A WEB SITE..as you can see above, but it is just at the beginning, and I have to learn what to put inside...
I SHALL BE HAPPY TO LISTEN TO THIS MONDAY'S BROADCAST. TOMORROW, ON ASCENSION DAY WE HAVE A SA CONGRESS FOR THE FRENCH PART OF SWITZERLAND, AND I AM LOOKING FORWARD TO IT VERY MUCH,,,,LAST WEEK-END WE HAD THE DEDICATION OF OUR NEW CORPS BUILDIG IN AIGLE. IT WAS A BLESSED WEEK-END
THANKS AGAIN GREETINGS TO ALL WHO REALISE THE PROGRAM
Marianne

On Wednesday, June 1, 2011, Heinz Schmidt said:

Tom,

it's a great job what you do with this broadcast. Unfortunately we can't hear it in Europe at the same
time you broadcast it in Canada.
Many thanks also that you promote in the past the work from our Audio Restoration Studio in
Belgium, as we restored so many great Salvation Army records from the past.

greatings from Europe
Heinz

On Tuesday, May 31, 2011, Keith Banks said:

This is great Tom. You give such a valuable ministry. Thank you.
Thanks too for featuring Pauline's singing.
All strength!

Keith

On Tuesday, May 31, 2011, Fred Boycott said:

Tom,
Congratulations on the newsworthy coverage of your musical outreach efforts.
Have you considered trying to get the programme on any of the Florida radio air?
How does that kind of programming come about in another country? What would have to happen to make it a regular broadcast in the Tampa/St. Pete's/Clearwater area?
I don't know that I could do much to make that happen, but I might be able to make a connection with someone in that area to help make it work?
Maybe that's just a pipe dream; but then , perhaps not.
Fred.

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