Local Lutheran Radio Ministry Expands to Memphis, Tenn.3 min read

Martin Luther’s Evening Prayer, the radio/podcast ministry of St. John’s, Taylor continued to expand its national coverage by adding, beginning June 2, 2024, WMUY in Memphis, Tenn., to its log of stations. WMUY AM 830 (“The Truth”) covers over 2 million people in Memphis and beyond. WUMY FM 105.5 is a full market class A FM covering all of one of the largest and most iconic cities in the Bible Belt with over 1 million in the primary coverage. The program is offered Sunday evenings by arrangement with the Wilkins Radio Network. Locally, Martin Luther’s Evening Prayer is available Sundays at 6 p.m. on WRDT AM 560, and on Mondays at 8 p.m. on WMKM AM1440.

The 28-minute broadcast centers on the message or sermon of Rev. Dr. Richard Zeile, St. John’s pastor, reflecting the traditional, historical understanding of Jesus as the Savior who saved sinners from their self-destructive sin and the eternal death of those cut off from God, the source of life. Unlike many Protestants, Lutherans affirm the presence of the Incarnate Christ in the Holy Communion and the power of the sacraments to convey God’s grace. This is expressed also in the excerpts from Liturgy and hymnody that reflect the seriousness of salvation and the necessity of accepting cross as well as resurrection, pain as well as pleasure, in the  Christian life.

The speaker on Martin Luther’s Evening Prayer, Rev. Dr. Richard Zeile, has served as St. John’s pastor since 2001, and established the radio ministry in October of 2009 with a Monday evening broadcast on AM1440 Detroit’s WDRJ (“Detroit Rejoice”), now renamed WMKM (“reborn”), heard today Mondays at 8 p.m. In November of 2013, a Sunday evening broadcast was added on WRDT (“The Word”) AM560 and this continues throughout the Detroit area Sundays at 6 p.m. In 2019, the congregation accepted a challenge grant to broadcast outside the Detroit area and contracted with the Wilkins network to broadcast on seven stations in four cities: 1) Bakersfield, Calif.; 2) Omaha, Neb.; 3) Council Bluffs, Iowa; 4) Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, Pa.; and 4) Richmond, Va. In 2021, congregations of the Downriver Circuit of the Michigan District, LCMS voted to fund an international short wave broadcast of the program, first on WWRB (“World-Wide Religious Broadcasting”) of Morrison, Tenn., and then in 2022 changed to WRMI (“Radio Miami”) for a Monday broadcast reaching North Africa, Europe, and the Middle East. 2023 saw the addition of WNWR AM540 covering Philadelphia (Pa.), Wilmington (Del.), and Trenton (N.J.) with a 7 p.m. Sunday broadcast. This latest addition to the list was made possible by generous gifts of individuals from Michigan, Iowa, and other states, as well as by members of St. John’s, Taylor.

St. John’s Lutheran Church, located at 13115 Telegraph Road, has served the Taylor area since 1888. Its Lutheran school operated from 1922 to 2010, and many alumni still live in the Downriver area. St. John’s is affiliated with the Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod, a church body committed to the Lutheran Confessions as a faithful exposition of Bible teaching. The radio/podcast ministry of Martin Luther’s Evening Prayer is part of St. John’s mission, “To conserve and promote the true faith of our Lord Jesus Christ in our members, our community, and our world.”

Although an “older” communications technology, radio is still utilized by millions of Americans every day. Nevertheless, Martin Luther’s Evening Prayer is also available as a podcast. As such, it is carried by Spotify, Google Podcasts, Podcast Addict, Chromecast, Apple, etc. Over 5,000 downloads are reported.

Those desiring to make Martin Luther’s Evening Prayer available on more stations across the country should contact Dr. Zeile at 313.802.1146, or email DrZeile@Juno.com, or mail to St. John’s Lutheran Church, 13115 Telegraph Road, Taylor, MI 48180.

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