Moody Radio 100th Anniversary!
Moody Radio is celebrating a century of ministry TODAY commemorating 100 years of Christian broadcasting.
The network traces its beginnings to July 28, 1926, when WMBI/Chicago signed on the air, launching what would become one of the nation’s longest-running Christian radio ministries. After Moody Bible school leaders spent years praying for a frequency, WMBI made its official debut broadcasting from a makeshift studio in a men’s dormitory.
Throughout the year, Moody Radio is marking the milestone with special programming, historical features, and a look back at the people, programs, and moments that have shaped its century-long legacy of sharing the Gospel through radio.
Moody Centennial Milestones:
- First Broadcast: Station WMBI went on the air in Chicago on July 28, 1926, featuring live music and Bible teaching.
- Commemorative Book: Moody Publishers released a visual history book titled This Is Moody Radio: 100 Years of Proclaiming the Gospel by Kevin Mungons and Phil Shappard. Check out the book HERE
- On-Air Celebrations: Special programs and historical lookbacks have been featured across the network, including segments on Chris Fabry Live and Karl and Crew.
The history of WMBI is marked by pioneering innovation, rapid technological growth, and creative programming that helped shape the future of Christian broadcasting. Although it was not the first religious radio station to sign on, WMBI emerged as one of the industry’s most influential trailblazers, introducing programming formats and ministry approaches that would be adopted by Christian broadcasters around the world.
Through the vision of its early radio pioneers, WMBI established a legacy of innovation that continues to influence Christian radio nearly a century later.
H. Coleman Crowell, WMBI’s founding director, provided the vision and leadership that established the station’s foundation, serving from 1926 to 1947. Under his direction, WMBI experienced significant growth and innovation. In 1939, the station dedicated Crowell Hall, a state-of-the-art facility featuring advanced live production studios that further strengthened its broadcasting capabilities.
WMBI continued to break new ground throughout the 20th century. In the 1930s, the station expanded its reach by transitioning from live-only broadcasts to recording and syndicating programs nationwide on 16-inch transcription discs, allowing its programming to be heard by audiences far beyond Chicago.
Moody further strengthened its influence in Christian broadcasting by becoming a founding member of the National Religious Broadcasters (NRB) in 1944. Decades later, in 1981, the ministry once again led the industry by launching the first satellite distribution network dedicated to religious broadcasting, enabling programs produced in Chicago to be delivered instantly to hundreds of affiliated stations across the United States.
- Karl & Crew Mornings: Hosted a live on-air birthday party featuring historic audio, listener stories, and a milestone greeting from Dr. Timothy Sisk.
- Chris Fabry Live: Airing a dedicated 100-year celebration program tracking God’s faithfulness with voices and archival clips from the past.
- Equipped and In the Market: Continuing the birthday celebration with retrospective segments looking back at a century of ministry.
