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100 Years of Proclaiming the Unstoppable Gospel
Imagine that bright summer day on July 28, 1926, when a singer stepped to the microphone in a new radio studio at Moody Bible Institute, and listeners heard the first words from WMBI’s initial broadcast over the air—“I want you to know Him.”
One hundred years later, that same excitement—and urgency—to proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ and the transforming truth of God’s Word has only gained momentum. What began as one noncommercial Christian radio station—WMBI in Chicago—is now a multimedia ministry featuring 69 full-power stations and translators, a growing podcast and social media network, and programming on more than 1,800 outlets.
We have a lot to celebrate. With the first nationally broadcast morning show, Karl and Crew, thousands of listeners have reported surrendering their lives to Christ after hearing the gospel on air. And with the recent launch of Moody Global Media, we are reaching not only more radio listeners around the globe but also a growing digital audience across all ages.
Moody Radio couldn’t do this without your participation and partnership, which is a major cause of thanksgiving!
Consider some current 2025 statistics:
- 2,145,438 visitors to Moody Radio’s website
- 13,847,579 total hours of digital content streamed
- 5,027,067 total downloads of Moody Radio podcasts
- 1,126,359 average monthly engagements with the Moody Radio app
Clearly, God has been working—and we are rejoicing in His ongoing faithfulness!
Throughout 2026, we invite you to join Moody Radio in celebrating 100 years of proclaiming the gospel as we count down to our 100th anniversary in July—and look forward to the next century of media ministry.
The History of Moody Radio
1886
Moody Bible Institute
Moody Bible Institute, originally named the Chicago Evangelization Society, is founded on January 22, 1886.
1925
PRODUCING PROGRAMS
Moody students play trumpets on Chicago’s WGES, then Moody agrees to produce weekly programs.
1925–26
NEW STUDIO, NEW STATION
Moody begins construction on studios along with 100-foot antenna towers on Smith Hall and the administration building.
A new radio studio sits idle for six months while Moody waits for Federal Radio Commission approval.
First broadcast of WMBI—one of the first noncommercial Christian radio stations—airs on July 28, 1926.
1926
Radio School of the Bible
Radio School of the Bible begins in 1927 as a teaching ministry to listeners; continues until 2002.
1926
Know Your Bible Club
Know Your Bible Club, a teaching ministry to children, runs from 1926–1971.
Aunt Theresa Worman serves as Know Your Bible Club host, 1930–1971.
Henry Crowell
H. Coleman Crowell, WMBI’s founding director
“The dedication hour is a sacred memory for us who had worked day and night for the fulfillment of our dreams . . . the avowed purpose of WMBI: that people may know Christ.”
1926–1947
FIRST WMBI PROGRAM DIRECTOR
Wendell Loveless, a former WWI Marine officer, becomes WMBI’s first program director and later serves as director of radio. Noted evangelist, author, and gospel music composer.
1927
MULTI-LANGUAGE PROGRAMMING
Programs are produced in Italian, Spanish, Swedish, Russian, German, Yiddish, and Dano-Norwegian.
1928
GROWING INFLUENCE
WMBI moves to a 5,000-watt transmitter in Addison, Illinois, boosting the fledgling station’s signal.
WMBI expands coverage to 36 hours per week.
Letters and donations come in from as far away as Brazil, New Zealand, and India.
1928
RECORD BUSINESS
Victor Talking Machine Co. releases four 78 rpm records of the WMBI Announcer’s Trio.
1929
Letter Week
WMBI hosts the first Letter Week for listener feedback and receives 5,375 letters.
1939
NEW STUDIO HOME
Crowell Hall is completed and the tower studios are dedicated.
Crowell Hall serves as Moody Radio’s home, 1939–2018.
In 2018 the vintage studios are considered the oldest operating radio studios in the US.
1939
Syndication
Moody Radio begins syndication to other stations, starting with Miracle and Melodies.
1946–1996
Stories of Great Christians
Moody Radio begins Stories of Great Christians, which remains in production for 50 years.
1950
Ranger Bill and Sailor Sam
Children’s dramas, Ranger Bill and Sailor Sam, start production. Ranger Bill is played by Miron Canaday and Sailor Sam by Charles Christensen. For over 60 years, Ranger Bill remains in syndication around the world.
1958
Moody purchases WCRF
Moody purchases WCRF in Cleveland, Ohio, leading to expansion that now includes 69 owned and operated stations. Hundreds of other stations are Moody affiliates.
1970s
CHILDREN’S PROGRAMMING
Award-winning children’s programs include The Sugar Creek Gang and Adventures from the Bookshelf.
1980
SPANISH-LANGUAGE PROGRAMMING
WMBI-AM begins Spanish-language programming with Radio Esperanza on Saturdays.
1982
SATELLITE BROADCASTING
Moody Broadcasting Network begins 24-7 satellite broadcasting.
Moody is the first religious network with round-the-clock programming for stations in remote places.
Many stations on the air today owe their beginning to MBN’s innovative use of technology.
1980–2000
LIVE BROADCASTS OF MAJOR EVENTS
Live broadcasts air of the Urbana Conference, Billy Graham conferences, and Promise Keepers events.
1990
SATELLITE FEEDS
274 Moody affiliates receive satellite feeds from Moody Broadcasting Network.
2007
FIRST INTERNET CHANNEL
Moody launches its first internet channel with 24-hour streaming audio, The Conference Center, which later becomes Proclaim Radio.
2008
A NAME YOU CAN TRUST
All of Moody’s radio ministries are consolidated under the name Moody Radio.
2015
PRAISE FOR URBAN PRAISE
Urban Praise, Moody’s internet station, is named Internet Station of the Year by the Stellar Gospel Awards.
2018
NEW HOME
Moody Radio moves into The Chapman Center along with Moody Publishers, uniting Moody’s media in one collaborative space.
2024
MOODY GLOBAL MEDIA
Moody Global Media is launched to reflect our expansion into a multimedia ministry covering terrestrial radio, internet channels, short-form video, and social media.
The Milestone Award
Moody Radio was deeply honored to receive this prestigious accolade from the National Religious Broadcasters in February 2025. It’s granted to an organization that exemplifies longevity and outstanding service in Christian broadcasting for 50 or more years.
Founder’s Week
Join us for special activities surrounding Moody Radio’s 100th anniversary during Founder’s Week, October 21–23, at Moody Bible Institute in Chicago. We’ll celebrate what God has done, how God is working, and the wonderful ways He is directing this ministry into the future. We’ll also engage in times of prayer for reaching the next generation and share exciting opportunities to do just that through Moody Global Media. Hint: Find out how we’re pursuing a 10-year vision to reach 100 million people weekly with the gospel of Jesus Christ!
Stories of Impact
Enjoy amazing God-did-it stories of listeners who took the next step—or the first step—in their journey of faith in Jesus Christ, thanks to encouraging, life-transforming messages on Moody Radio.
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Friends, this is a year to rejoice in all that God has accomplished in 100 years of Moody Radio and to build on that legacy in the next century. Your partnership is crucial as we expand our Bible-centered programming in new and relevant ways, with hearts steadfast on redeeming the time and reaching even more people for Jesus Christ. We truly appreciate your support and can’t wait to celebrate with you!