Contact: Greg Koenig, Lutheran Hour Ministries, 314-317-4152

ST LOUIS, Mo., March 18 /Christian Newswire/ --  Lutheran Hour Ministries has entered into a one-year agreement to air The Lutheran Hour® radio program through Christian Satellite Network (CSN) International, expanding by more than 30 percent the number of stations over which the program can be heard.

The Lutheran Hour now airs simultaneously nationwide on CSN affiliates every Sunday morning at 7 a.m. Pacific, 8 a.m. Mountain, 9 a.m. Central, and 10 a.m. Eastern. A list of CSN stations is available at www.csnradio.com/stations.htm.

CSN estimates its typical listening audience nationwide to be 2 to 3 million people. "Streaming capabilities are likely to increase that audience," said CSN's programming director, Don Mills. "We felt that The Lutheran Hour's traditional style of preaching would be a perfect fit for Sunday morning when people are getting ready or going to church--but with CSN's broadcasts also being heard on hand-held devices, The Lutheran Hour will probably also reach people whose Sunday routine is very different."

"I rejoice that the Holy Spirit has blessed us with the opportunity presented by these open doors," said the Rev. Ken Klaus, Speaker of The Lutheran Hour. "While we cannot say what blessing the Holy Spirit will impart to those who hear our broadcasts, we can say what The Lutheran Hour message will be. It has not changed from what Dr. Walter A. Maier, the first Speaker of The Lutheran Hour, said it would be almost 80 years ago: 'Nothing save Jesus Christ and Him crucified in every message, every prayer, every hymn.'"

The Rev. Dr. Mark Larson, Lutheran Hour Ministries' Director of United States Ministries, added, "We are excited about these new broadcast outlets. Their locations really enhance our presence on the West Coast and throughout the Southeast--an optimal coverage fit. God is good!"

Lutheran Hour Ministries
Lutheran Hour Ministries (LHM), www.lhm.org, is an outreach ministry supporting The Lutheran Church--Missouri Synod, Lutheran Church--Canada, and churches worldwide through media and a variety of ministry services. LHM's flagship, The Lutheran Hour, is the world's longest-running Christ-centered radio program. Internationally, LHM produces and distributes media programming through offices in more than 30 nations. LHM is also known as the International Lutheran Laymen's League.

Christian Satellite Network
CSN International's network includes 24 full-time FM stations and more than 350 FM translator stations. CSN has broadcast Christian programming via satellite since April 1995 and is owned by Christian Broadcasters of Idaho.