Names You Should Know | Moody Radio 100th Anniversary

Shortly after World War Two, a guitar player named John W. Peterson enrolled at Moody Bible Institute and then began writing songs. Ultimately, he composed more than a thousand songs and to the glory of God. John Peterson is a name you should know.

Jim Wick came to Moody Radio in 1968 as a producer. He was a featured soloist on Telephone Request and was tapped to sing the theme song for a kid's program known as Sugar Creek Gang. In his later role as a moody stewardship representative, Jim recalls "I was amazed at the number of people that I met who said, I came to know the Lord while listening to a Moody radio program." Jim Wick produced Moody Radio's 50th anniversary celebration in 1976, and to the glory of God, Jim Wick is a name you should know.

She had a flair for the dramatic and shared it with Moody Radio listeners for more than five decades. Flo Schmid had a voice that many still recall from the listening post. As the mother of five girls, Flo understood the value of quality Christian stories. She was heard in programs like The Sugar Creek Gang and Stories of Great Christians, where she played the role of the famous hymn writer Fanny Crosby. In the '90s, She was heard on the Left Behind audio series and continued other roles with Moody Radio well into the 2000. To the glory of God, Flo Schmid is a name you should know.

Doug Hastings joined Moody Radio in June of 1981. He began in the Network Development Office, sharing with stations around the country the opportunity to take moody programming via satellite. In more than four decades at Moody Radio. Doug served in many roles, relying heavily on spiritual mentors like Bob Neff, Don Cole and Mike Kellogg was very influential in my life. Having retired from his role as vice president of Moody Radio, Doug Hastings is a name you should know.

Charles Donald Cole served in World War Two, an experience that ultimately led to him and his wife, Naomi, being called to Angola as missionaries. But when civil war in Angola forced them to leave, Donald Cole eventually ended up at Moody Radio as radio pastor and later host of Open Line. For more than 25 years. He hosted Open Line. The Living Word and other features. After retiring, Pastor Cole took many trips back to Angola. In 2012, the Lord took him home and to the glory of God. Donald Cole is a name you should know.

When it comes to world events, Moody Radio is committed to Christ centered coverage. News director Dave Mitchell was there on 9/11. As the morning hours unfolded, so did this national disaster. Dave remained vigilant, reporting the tension and the tragedy. Dave's journalistic integrity ensured our news coverage was fair, accurate and Christ honoring. He went home to be with the Lord in 2016. But to the glory of God, Dave Mitchell is a name you should know.

In 1962, Bob Devine became the morning host of The Clock Watcher. The show featured music, world news, Bible quotes, and more. Bob went on to develop and produce several nationally syndicated programs, including the Storybook Room. Then there was Nature Corner, where Bob pioneered recording techniques to create special voices and sounds for the characters in his stories. All of this to teach Bible truths in creative ways to audiences that ate it up and begged for more. Bob retired in 2000, but to the glory of God, Bob divine is a name you should know.

He was a moody student in the late 1970s and was asked to fill in with a newscast. After graduation, Bill Davis worked full time at Moody Radio. He was also one of the creative minds that worked on Kid Trek but Bill is best remembered as the host of Faith on record. To the Glory of God. Bill Davis is a name you should know.

George Beverly Shea was born in 1909 and once sang on NBC Radio's Amateur Hour program. But then he came into contact with Moody Radio, 1938 and in 1939, Moody president Will Houghton offered him a position with WMBI where he loved to sing. It wasn't long before evangelist Billy Graham noticed the talent and humility of Bev Shea, and in 1947 he tapped Shea to be his soloist. But George Beverly Shea returned often to Moody Radio. Bev Shea was called home at the age of 104, and to the glory of God, he's a name you should know.

William Jones Pierce was born in 1926 and picked up his first trombone at the age of ten. Growing up, he performed with the US Marines. Later, Bill enrolled and flunked out of Moody Bible Institute, but the WMBI staff noticed he was not only a great announcer, but also an extraordinary trombone player. Bill also sang and teamed up with Dick Anthony and the Melody four quartet. Bill Pierce is best known for his late night radio program Night Watch, which was later syndicated as Night Sounds. He served at Moody for 25 years and at the age of 83, God called him home to the glory of God. Bill Pierce is a name you should know.

It was 1971 when Gary Leonard was first heard on Moody Radio. In addition to announcing he produced Woman to Woman with host Dollee Meredith. An accomplished singer, Gary was also a soloist for a live music program called Telephone Requests. He also wrote scripts for Moody Presents. In 1974, Gary was named station manager of Moody Radio Spokane, where he served for the next 30 years. Along the way, he was tapped to host Sunday Praise and was heard across the Moody Radio network for more than a decade. Gary retired from full time work in 2004, but served as a utility staff member for ten years. To the glory of God, Gary Leonard is a name you should know.

Jim Warren came to Moody Radio in 1971 with his passion for music. It's no surprise Jim hosted a program called Music Along the Way. When Moody Radio launched into satellite broadcasting, Jim transitioned to host Prime Time America. This afternoon drive, magazine format covered world events, science, sports, biblical archaeology, and missions, all from a uniquely Christian worldview. Jim and his team, which always included his wife Jean, had an uncanny way of connecting news makers with his listeners. From senators to statesmen, Jim took his audience around the world, but always came back to the cross to the glory of God. Jim Warren is a name you should know.

In 1928, he was appointed pastor of Chicago's South Side Alliance Church. While there, A.W. Tozer started to write books such as The Pursuit of God and the Knowledge of the Holy. In 1949, Moody President William Culbertson invited Tozer to speak to the student body in five days of special meetings. Then, for ten years, Tozer hosted the weekly half hour broadcast from a pastor's study. Still widely read and greatly loved to the glory of God. A.W. Tozer is a name you should know.

He was a pastor on Sundays and a radio host during the week. The Chicago Tribune called him "unfailingly cheerful and irrepressibly corny," Bob Murfin was both, and he regularly had his wife, Jessie, with him right in the studio, encountering people in desperate situations, Bob invited listeners to send cards of encouragement to them, offering what he called a cup of cold water. All of this wrapped up in homespun humor and biblical encouragement. In 2003, God called him home. But to the glory of God, Bob Murfin is a name you should know.

Dolle Meredith was born in 1934 in Spokane, Washington. She got her start in radio co-hosting The Woman at Home with Bev Baker. When Dolle was asked to take over the program, they changed the name to Woman to Woman, and Moody Radio syndicated the broadcast to its entire network. Dolle and her husband, Jack, spoke at marriage seminars across the nation and internationally. They mentored countless couples and individuals, but even into the 90s, her program continued. Now with the Lord to the glory of God, Dolly Meredith is a name you should know.

Brandt Gustavson served as a staff announcer at Moody Radio Cleveland in 1959. Eventually, he was called to Chicago, where he oversaw the broadcasting department. Brandt became the host of Doctor George Sweeting's new broadcast, Moody Presents, and also what goes on here as Moody Radio launched into satellite broadcasting. It was Brandt Gustavson who made the bold announcement at Founders Week. A compelling speaker, Brandt made the case for satellite broadcasting "It's an opportunity to spread the gospel to the nation, to teach the Bible, to see young men and women go into the Lord's work." To the glory of God. That dream became reality. And Brandt Gustavson is a name you should know.

He was born in 1924, just two years before Moody Radio went on the air as the sixth president of Moody Bible Institute. Doctor George Sweeting launched a new radio program known as Moody Presents. Where we heard music and testimonies from Moody students and a message from Doctor Sweeting. Just shy of his 100th birthday, God called him home. But to the glory of God, George Sweeting is a name you should know.

In 1942, musician Don Hustad took an audition with Moody Radio and was quickly hired. He was well known for hosting Melody time. In 1961, Don Hustad joined the Billy Graham evangelistic team as Crusade organist, and he was a recognized leader in evangelical church music for six decades. To the glory of God. Don Hustad is a name you should know.

Henry Coleman Crowell was born in 1897 in Chicago. He grew up to serve in the Navy in World War One. Afterward, he went on to become vice chairman of the Quaker Oats Company, which was started by his father. Eventually, God called Mr. Crowell into his service at Moody Bible Institute. And there Henry worked as vice president and general manager in a career that spanned more than 40 years. Henry Crowell was a forward looking visionary. He helped launch Moody Science Films as well as Moody Aviation. Both represented cutting edge technologies at the time. But we love Henry Crowell for still another reason. He was a huge influence and a driving factor in the launch and growth of a new thing called Moody Radio. Though we went home to be with the Lord in 1965, his impact is still being felt today. To the glory of God, Henry Coleman Crowell is a name you should know.

During World War Two, Glenn Jorian was known as your singing pilot, flying reconnaissance missions in his B-29 bomber. But when peace finally came, Glenn came to Moody Radio. Glenn also sang on songs in the night, but he is best known for being one of the 16 singing men and the famous Melody four quartet. To the glory of God. Glenn Jorian is a name you should know.

The year was 1926 in London. The world saw the first television back home. Robert Goddard launched the first liquid fueled rocket, and in 1926, Moody Radio went on the air. Doctor James M Gray, third president of the Moody Bible Institute, was the man God used to launch Moody Radio. At Founder's Week 1931, he said "We have a staff of 12 experienced teachers and preachers who are continually engaged in this work." He continued to serve as president of Moody until 1934, writing many books before going home to the Lord in 1935. To the glory of God. James M Gray is a name you should know.

Robert Parsons came to Moody Radio in 1931, becoming director of the programming department in 1946 with his friendly pastoral style, which came through powerfully in his radio delivery. He became well known through the program called The Quiet Hour.  For 15 years, Mr. Parsons supervised Moody Radio and was heard on many other programs such as Hymns You Like to Sing, and he served the Lord all the way until his home, going to the glory of God. Robert Parsons is a name you should know.

Tedd Seelye started his 40 plus year career with Moody Radio in 1954. He was an announcer on the morning program and the host of questions. Tedd Seelye also acted in many radio dramas and was the host of The Chapel of the air and the announcer for songs in the night for 50 years. But many will remember Tedd as the longtime host of Open Line. Reflecting on Moody Radio's 75th anniversary, Tedd commented "I see the hand of God guiding. We look back and we say, well, look at that. God was in that. Now you see, that's what Christians have." Now with the Lord to the glory of God. Tedd Seelye is a name you should know.

William Houghton was born in 1887, just one year after the founding of the Moody Bible Institute at the age of 22. He pursued Bible training and pastored a number of churches before being called to be president of Moody Bible Institute in 1934. Under Houghton's leadership, Moody Radio's broadcasting hours increased and Houghton himself launched a teaching program known as Let's Get back to the Bible. An innovator, Doctor Houghton, expanded the listening audience by changing radio stations over telephone lines in cities like Cincinnati, Pittsburgh, New York, Boston and Denver. He went home to be with the Lord in 1947 and to the glory of God. William Houghton remains a name you should know.