February 7, 2021 marks the seventy-second year of ministry for Faith Radio. We’re grateful for God’s grace, goodness, and faithfulness to Northwestern Media!
While we first went on the air in February of 1949, the story actually goes back to the late 1930’s when a trio of leaders and their wives began to fast and pray that God would open the door to own and operate an AM radio station in Minneapolis. The station would be dedicated to the Lord for the glory of His name and for the proclamation of the gospel! These three leaders, Dr. William Bell Riley, the first President of what is now the University of Northwestern — St. Paul, George Wilson and Loren Bridges, faced many challenges including the rationing of steel for the war effort.
Dr. Riley died in December 1945, but the vision of these leaders continued. Dr. Billy Graham followed in the footsteps of Dr. Riley, not only leading the fledgling Bible Institute but with his vision for radio. At a Northwestern chapel service in early 1948, Dr. Graham issued a challenge to the student body to give a dollar a week to start a Northwestern radio station.
Students and staff accepted the challenge and raised $44,000 through weekly offerings over the course of a year. On Monday afternoon, February 7, 1949, KTIS AM900 signed on the air. President Graham was the first to speak, dedicating the station in prayer:
“This station stands as a monument to answered prayer and the sacrificial giving of the greatest gang of students, faculty and staff in all the world.”
As we look back at our history, we humbly and gratefully acknowledge all who have gone before us paving the way for the ministry that we know today. Faith Radio has grown and now broadcasts on 23 AM and FM signals across the Upper Midwest and Hartford, CT as well as reaching across the country and around the world through our mobile app, online, and on-demand programming – thanks to God and you!
Please join us this month and be a part of the story of Faith Radio. Your prayers and generous support keep us going and growing.