Names You Should Know | Moody Radio 100th Anniversary

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.