Word from Wayne on Leaving Moody Radio

I don’t want this to be about me. Because it’s NOT all about me. I’ve loved what I do at Moody Radio. I love my friends at Moody Radio. I love their commitment to Jesus Christ, to proclaiming the Word of God and helping listeners grow in the way they follow Him.

I love the magic of radio. This week we did the live show with Michael W. Smith in front of a live audience. The countdown concluded. Chris pointed to Mark. It was a magic moment. The microphone opened and tens of thousands of people were instantly connected. I’ve done this for 40 years and have never lost the magic of radio.

This isn’t an easy job. Media is changing. The way people use radio is changing. There’s the challenge of raising funds for a $20 Million ministry. I know through years of listener response, you can’t please everyone. Someone’s not going to like the music. You have too much talk. You’re too liberal. You’re too conservative. You’re too serious. You joke too much. So I’ve graduated from Toughskin University, knowing Christians care so much about life, their faith, their radio station, they express strong feelings about how we do things.

The toughest thing is leaving the people. The people who make up the Moody Radio team are the best--the most talented, most dedicated team I’ve ever worked with. And, with a few exceptions, they're nice. After all, out of a staff of 200, you’d expect a few grouches, right? (You know who you are.)

But really, I’m glad I’m sad. Frankly, I’m honored they're sad. I’d hate after all these years they'd be having parties in their offices knowing I was leaving. It’s interesting even people I didn’t think liked me have expressed appreciation. So I think, Man, if I had known I was so well liked, I would have stayed. It’s a reminder that we should all be more encouraging to our colleagues.

And though it’s with deep sadness we move on, intellectually, spiritually, we know it’s God’s direction. Henry Blackaby once told me: “Don’t tell God you’ll do anything for Him if you really won’t do it.” That’s the problem. I have a note in my journal that I’d “do whatever; go wherever” God would so lead. Through His Word, the Holy Spirit’s quiet voice, the counsel of godly, respected friends, and through God’s hand in life circumstances, we got the call. One of the verses I discovered in the process of seeking His direction was Romans 9:12 in The Message: “His purpose is not hit-or-miss, dependent on what we do or don’t do. But a sure thing determined by His decision flowing steadily from His initiative.”

So God directed us to HCJB Global, whose declared end is to use media and human care to reach those people groups who have never heard, those with limited access to the Gospel. And my deep passion is to reach the lost with the Message of Jesus of Nazareth. I don’t have the gift of evangelism. I have a passion for evangelism--and the spiritual gift of leadership that will facilitate the passion.

And the strong work at Moody Radio will go forward: Proclaiming God’s Word, helping listeners take the next step in their walk with Christ, being a trusted voice and friend, unpacking issues from a Biblical world-view.

I pray my investment in articulating those ends, placing great people where they can shine for Jesus, and establishing a positive environment for ministry will produce decades of effective radio ministry.

And you’ve not heard the last of me. HCJB Global will be partnering with Moody. You’ll hear reports of what God is doing around the Globe. Which fulfills another verse God showed me: Those who were never told of Him will see. Those who’ve never heard of Him will get the Message.” How’s that for confirmation?

From the depths of our hearts, Norma and I thank you.

Let Your Heart Be Broken

Though leaving Moody is difficult, God keeps re-affirming our call to this global outreach. This morning at Moody Church, Norma and I stood with tears in our eyes as we sang this hymn:

Let your heart be broken for a world in need.
Feed the mouths that hunger, soothe the wounds that bleed.
Give the cup of water, and the loaf of bread;
Be the hands of Jesus, serving in His stead.

Here on earth applying principles of love
Visible expression, God still rules above.
Living illustration of the Living Word;
To the minds of all who’ve never seen or heard.

Blessed to be a blessing, privileged to care;
Challenged by the need apparent everywhere.
Where mankind is wanting, fill the vacant place.
Be the means through which the Lord reveals His grace.

Add to your believing deeds that prove it true;
Knowing Christ as Savior, make Him Master too.
Follow in His footsteps, go where He has trod.
In the world’s great trouble risk yourself from God.

Let your heart be tender and your vision clear,
See mankind as God sees—serve Him far and near.
Let your heart be broken by a brother’s pain;
Share your rich resources, give and give again.
(Text by Brian Jeffrey Leach)

This was another confirmation of God's direction. And this hymn could really be a theme for HCJB Global Hands and Voice. I'm making this my prayer focus for the next few weeks. May we as God's servants make this our heart's prayer.

The Call

A lotof soul-searching, rather God-searching went into the decision to go with HCJB Global. God directs us primarily through:

His Word
His Spirit
His direction of circumstances
Counsel of wise, trusted friends

When the search process got serious, I took a day to get with God. Norma was out of town on a Saturday. Ispent the entire day reading God's word, on my knees in prayer, on my face seeking His direction.

In my regular personal study, I was in the last part of Romans. And these are the verses that popped out that day and provided God's direction:

Those who were never told of Him will see. Those who've never heard will get the message. Romans 15.21

All the nations of the world can know the truth. Romans 16.25

How can they believe in Him if they've never heard of Him?
And how can they hear about Him unless someone tells them about Him?
And how will anyone go and tell them without being sent?
Romans 10.14-15

We asked God to write it on the mirror. Well, this was pretty close. When you tell God you'll do anything He asks, then you ask with sincere and open heart, then He gets your attention with these obvious statements, how can you say "no"?

I heard long time ago, you can't say "No, Lord." The two words don't go together. If he's Lord, you don't say no. The only correct answer is "Yes, Lord" "Yes, Sir!"

HCJB Global

I wanted to let a few of my close friends know I’ve accepted the position of President/CEO of HCJB Global, starting November 1, 2008. Leaving our work and friends at Moody will be difficult. I’m grateful to the Lord for our years at Moody. I treasure the experience and the friendships. My hope is that I've help make Moody Radio an effective ministry, a healthy place to work and a strong team to carry forward.

Clarence Jones took his experience at Moody leaving Chicago for South America to start radio station HCJB in Quito in 1931. Today HCJB Global Voice and Global Hands is an international ministry with 800 staff and 230 missionaries and annual budget of $39M. The corporate headquarters is in Colorado Springs. The Global Technology Center is in Elkhart. Regional centers focus on Asia Pacific, Sub-Sahara Africa, Euro-Asia, North Africa-Middle East, Latin America and North America. Currently HCJB Global Voice has outlets in 100 countries broadcasting in 120 languages and is using podcast, video production and mobile devices to present the Gospel.

The mission of HCJB Global is to reach those who have never heard and to equip those who can be mobilized. Media, healthcare and leadership training are the strategies used to come alongside indigenous ministries to plant, train, equip.

God has clearly directed us as we’ve sought His will in this opportunity. The verse that sealed it was Romans 15.21: “Those who were never told of Him will see. Those who’ve never heard of Him will get the Message.”