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"Back to the Bible has enjoyed God's favor for 68 years - 45 years under our founder, Theodore Epp, six years under Warren Wiersbe, and most recently 17 years under me," [Woodrow Kroll] said in a prepared statement released Friday. "But the challenges of doing radio are much more difficult today than in 1939 or 1984 or 1990."
In Nebraska, 18 outlets carry "Back to the Bible," while five carry "Walk in the Word," according to their respective Web sites.
[James MacDonald]'s ninth book will be released in spring 2008. His other books include "I Really Want to Change," "So Help Me, God" and "Downpour:He Will Come to Us Like the Rain."
Lincoln-based Back to the Bible announced Friday it will merge with Walk in the Word, a Chicago-based radio ministry.
Both ministries have radio programs, which will continue separately until next fall and ultimately merge into one.
James MacDonald, radio voice of the daily "Walk in the Word" broadcast, will become president of Back to the Bible on Jan. 1.
MacDonald is founder and senior pastor of Harvest Bible Chapel, a suburban Chicago congregation. He will become the fourth president of Back to the Bible - a worldwide nondenominational Christian ministry. He will succeed Woodrow Kroll.
Kroll has been president of Back to the Bible - as well as senior Bible teacher on the ministry's daily radio program - since 1990. He will become board chairman for Back to the Bible.
He also will serve as president of the Center for Bible Engagement, a special division of Back to the Bible designed to expose and resolve the problem of Bible illiteracy in the church, said Tami Weissert, vice president of media and communications for the ministry.
Kroll told the board several years ago that he was planning to step aside at retirement age, Weissert said. He hasn't reached that age yet, she pointed out, but "an opportunity arose for this to happen. We felt God was really opening a door (for) a wonderful succession plan."
The name Back to the Bible will be retained, and the "Walk in the Word" radio program will become a ministry of Back to the Bible, she explained.
"Back to the Bible has enjoyed God's favor for 68 years - 45 years under our founder, Theodore Epp, six years under Warren Wiersbe, and most recently 17 years under me," Kroll said in a prepared statement released Friday. "But the challenges of doing radio are much more difficult today than in 1939 or 1984 or 1990."
He praised MacDonald as a trustworthy leader and skilled Bible teacher who can "faithfully expound the word and apply it to the lives of our listeners."
"He will identify and speak biblical truth to next generations and carry Back to the Bible to a growing new audience."
MacDonald's program airs messages that he delivers from the pulpit at Harvest Bible Chapel, Weissert said. His program is heard on 660 outlets in North America and has a somewhat younger demographic than Back to the Bible, which is heard on about 1,100 outlets. Many radio stations carry both programs, she said.
In Nebraska, 18 outlets carry "Back to the Bible," while five carry "Walk in the Word," according to their respective Web sites.
The plan is to continue both programs until next fall, but gradually introduce "Back to the Bible" listeners to MacDonald. Sometime next fall, the two programs will merge into one, with MacDonald as the primary teacher.
MacDonald will continue as pastor of his church while assuming the new responsibilities. The program "Walk in the Word" was named 2007 Bible Teaching Program of the Year by the National Religious Broadcasters.
MacDonald's ninth book will be released in spring 2008. His other books include "I Really Want to Change," "So Help Me, God" and "Downpour:He Will Come to Us Like the Rain."
MacDonald was traveling this week and could not be reached for comment.
Current plans call for continuing Back to the Bible's presence in Lincoln.
"We'll have a presence in both cities (Lincoln and Chicago)," Weissert said.
Reach Bob Reeves at 473-7212 or [email protected].
Copyright Lee Enterprises, Inc. Dec 22, 2007