107.1 KSLT has been a staple for radio listeners in the Black Hills area for over 40 years. In sharing Christian media and the stories of believers, KSLT hopes to share the message of Christian love.
Alan Bonde, who is not only a program and music director at KSLT, also serves as on-air talent. A Spearfish native and BHSU alumnus, Bonde will celebrate his five-year anniversary at KSLT in July 2025.
Bonde takes on many roles at the station. Starting as a sales executive, he eventually found himself working all around the station to ensure things ran smoothly. He oversees the sound programming, works with record labels to keep up song licensing and hosts his own show. However, his main goal at KSLT is to bring joy to listeners.
“My main goal is to live life with the listener,” Bonde said. “Celebrate the beautiful moments and cover them with encouragement through the worst. Every time I turn on the mic, I want to create an uplifting space because you never know who needs it that day. Some may need encouragement, others a laugh. My hope is that listeners end their day feeling lighter and more blessed than when they woke up.”
The station has a five-state, 300-mile broadcast range. KSLT reaches from Gillette, Wyo. to Pierre, S.D., and from Alliance, Neb. to Dickinson, N.D. The mission of the station is a simple one: to lead people to Christ and nurture believers in their spiritual growth through Christ-centered media. Bonde builds on that statement in his own work at the station.
“My mission is to encourage and put a smile on the face of as many people as possible through storytelling,” Bonde said. “I want to see our 107.1 KSLT family grow because more people tuning in, the greater the impact we can make in our community together. My hope is that every listener feels the love of a Savior who cares for them unconditionally and are empowered to share that good news with those around them.”
KSLT’s work is not only shared on air, but also through boots-on-the-ground outreach programs. The station is deeply committed to giving back to the listeners who support them.
Their “My Golden Valentine” program, one of the largest initiatives the station runs, is going on its 19th year. Across all five states stated above, listeners can donate Valentine’s cards that will be distributed in nursing homes and assisted living homes to bring joy to senior citizens.
Family is core to the messaging of KSLT. To help support families, the station holds diaper drives and also has an Amazon Wish List so listeners can donate remotely. In summer 2024, they hosted two diaper drives in Rapid City, collecting over 6,000 diapers for Mommy’s Closet, a Volunteers of America program.
In October, which is Pastor Appreciation Month, listeners can nominate their pastors and share heartfelt stories about their impact. One pastor will be selected at random to win a care package to share the appreciation of their congregation.
“[The 107.1 KSLT listeners] are some of the most selfless and giving people,” Bonde said. “[They are] always stepping up whenever there is a local or global need. Their generosity never ceases to amaze me.”
KSLT also actively partners with several outside ministries to further connect listeners. They have collaborated with LifeLight Hills Alive, UNITE and This City Belongs to Jesus, to unite the community in faith and worship.
As KSLT moves into their 41st year, their message and mission remains consistent. In all their messaging and music, the team seeks to share love. For Bonde that love is central to his work at the station.
“My goal is to continue empowering my team to bring their hearts to everything they do,” Bonde said. “They genuinely love and care for our listeners, and that connection is what makes 107.1 KSLT feel more like family than just another local radio station. We couldn’t, and wouldn’t want to, do this without them.”
107.1 will continue to be a staple on the airwaves in the years to come. Even as their core philosophies stay the same, the station will grow and adapt to the ever-changing world around it. They hope to reach the communities that they serve in even greater ways.
“We’re planning for even greater community involvement in 2025 and beyond,” Bonde said. “While our primary mission is to share the love and good news of Jesus, our hope is to bring people together–one song and one message at a time. The best is yet to come.”