Faith and Navajo Culture Are Celebrated Through a New Radio Station
12 May 2025 |
“On March 19, at precisely 4:24 p.m., the airwaves above Kaibeto, Arizona, United States, came alive with a message of hope. Diné Adventist Radio’s (DAR) first full-power FM station—KDHH 89.5 FM—went live, reaching listeners across Tuba City, Kaibeto, and the Western Agency of the Navajo Nation. It was a quiet but powerful breakthrough for a project years in the making.”
Quoted from the Adventist Review, this accomplishment came from a Sabbath conversation in Window Rock, Arizona, five years ago among a group of believers who saw an opportunity and a need.
With an estimated land size of 17,035,180 acres and a total population of 331,813 across the United States, the Navajo Nation is “one of the largest tribal governments of the North American Indian Nations.” Adventists have also been ministering within the Navajo Nation for over 100 years with varying success.
Dale Wolcott, a pastor who has served across the Navajo Nation since 1990 and helped relaunch churches in Chinle and Window Rock, recognized how radio can be used as a powerful ministry tool for the region: “Radio can reach places it would take missionaries years to reach.”
The years it took to bring the project to life contained challenges that served to reveal God’s provision. Wolcott remembers the early stages when they were facing a $15,000 estimate to clear land for a tower site, when a call to the wrong number changed the situation. A man from Black Mesa accidentially called Wolcott, attempting to reach another pastor and started a conversation. The man owned and operated heavy equipment and offered to clear the land for free in exchange for Wolcott officiating his and his lifelong partner’s wedding.
Once the station went live, the DAR team got 14 responses in 2 minutes, with a recent program offering free GodPod devices.
What makes the radio station so revolutionary is its commitment to preserving Navajo culture. The team is predominantly Navajo Adventists or teammates who have lived within the Navajo Nation for years. Kenneth Kirtley, DAR’s program director, married into a Navajo family and brings 23 years of technical expertise within commercial radio. He is also committed to translating the programs into Navajo, allowing the station to air content in English and Navajo. Beyond increasing accessibility, Kirtley recognizes their responsibility in keeping the language alive for generations to come.
DAR is preparing to launch KDHP in Pinon, with $330,000 still needed to fund the flagship Gallup station. The team hopes to create a 24/7 Navajo Nation radio station that is fully Navajo-produced and continues to expand its reach.
“This is not just about launching a radio station,” network manager Steve Pester said. “It’s about being a voice of hope in every hogan, every truck, every quiet corner of the desert.”
