Your Network of Praise broadcasting in Libby

The purchase of Libby’s former KLCB radio station was completed in late December 2025 by Your Network of Praise, a non-denominational Christian Radio Station network, based in Havre.

Libby’s new station is one of over 70 radio facilities in the northwestern United States that are owned and operated by YNOP.  

Libby’s new radio station, KTNY 101.7 FM, was launched after the purchase of new equipment and the relocation of the station to a mountaintop tower site to improve coverage and signal quality. 

Roger Lonnquist, president and general manager of YNOP,  was featured as a guest speaker at the annual Twenty-Four Hour Prayer event, Jan. 2-3, and met with community members and local pastors during his stay in Libby.

According to information on YNOP's website, in 1979, insurance agent Marvin Calahan and oilman Wayland Elenburg had a lunch meeting to discuss insurance. But, somehow, the talk soon turned to Christian radio and the need for a station to serve Havre and the Hi-Line region of Montana.

On Aug. 6, 1980, Marvin and Wayland and a local CPA, Jerry Waltari, signed and filed the papers creating Hi-Line Radio Fellowship, Inc., a non-profit ministry which would be dedicated to building a Christian radio station in Havre. 

These three men acknowledged that they did not have the knowledge, the people needed, or the money to build a station...but, they had a calling from God and so they went forward by faith, trusting God to fill in the blanks.

Over the next few years several more people got involved as board members, donors and volunteers. One of them, Ed Matter, was to become Hi-Line Radio Fellowship's first (and only!) employee in 1982, tasked with the enormous job of raising funds, finding a studio location, tower site, potential staff members and all of the other details that would have to be worked out.

At 6 a.m. July 28, 1983, KXEI 95.1FM in Havre signed on as "Your Channel of Praise," with the National Anthem and a recitation of the Lord's Prayer by those assembled in the small office and studio located in the back of Havre's Christian bookstore. 

The new radio station was on the air 18 hours per day with outstanding Christian teaching programs and music, along with local news, weather and other information.

Just weeks later, on Aug. 28, 1983, a woman walked through the door. Lois S. Ramberg told Ed she would like to become an announcer at KXEI. Though Lois already had plenty to do as a farmer and rancher, on that day she began her ministry at KXEI. 

No one knew back then how many ways God would use Lois in her new role. Her love for the Lord and people, her dedication and generosity have been used by God to help establish and build the ministry. Lois remains the longest serving employee of KXEI/Your Network of Praise today!

YNOP’s International Division, New Life Africa Networks recently purchased a 10 station network in Sierra Leone, with the potential to soon reach 90% of the population of that country.  

New Life Africa also owns two radio stations in the Republic of Tanzania, one in Liberia, and two satellite networks in Africa, with the capacity for broadcasting, streaming, podcasting and providing Scripture in many languages across the African continent. 

For more information on YNOP and New Life Africa Networks, go to www.ynop.org.