History of Faith Radio

A Story of God's Miraculous Leading

1980

Larry Wilkins (WLBF’s longtime contract engineer) and his employer were listening to a Christian FM station while in Pensacola, Florida, on business and felt a need for programming such as this in Montgomery.

1981

The non-profit corporation, Montgomery Educational Radio, Inc. was registered with the state of Alabama. Original board members were Charlotte Brown, D.G. Markwell, Greg McKinnon, and Larry Wilkins.

1983

After overcoming numerous obstacles on the path to approval, God worked a miracle and the Federal Communications Commission granted approval for a non-commercial radio license. The call letters, WLBF, were chosen, standing for "We Live By Faith".

1984

WLBF signed on the air at 89.1FM, after an extensive fund-raising effort for start-up expenses. The station operated from trailer space donated by Frazer Church on its property, using an automation system donated by a local broadcast company, which also provided free tower space.

1988

WLBF moved in to its current office and studio space on Mendel Parkway. Due to God's provision, the new building and grounds were completely paid for before the ribbon cutting ceremony was held!

1989

Power was increased to 100,000 watts at an increased tower height of 600 feet, to cover a more significant portion of South Central Alabama.

1991

WLBF launched its first daily live, locally-produced program, "Morning Praise".

1994

At the request of a number of Christians in the Andalusia area, Faith Radio's first translator was placed on the air at 91.5FM.

1994

To reflect the regional nature of the ministry that God had established, WLBF "Faith 89" began to use the name, Faith Radio.

1996

WSTF signed on the air in Andalusia, boosting our coverage to the surrounding areas of South Alabama with a power of 5000 watts.

1996

Translators were signed on the air in Dothan (90.3FM) and Eufaula (91.9).

2002

WDYF went on the air, serving Dothan and surrounding areas with 9200 watts, enabling Faith Radio to be heard in Southeast Alabama, parts of Northwest Florida, and Southwest Georgia.

2007

Faith Radio expanded its reach to include current translators in Thorsby/Jemison (96.9FM), Sylacauga (94.1FM), and Alexander City (94.1).

2011

As the result of our "PowerUp 4X" campaign, WSTF was able to increase its power to 20,500 watts.

2013

Through our ministry partnership with Radios of Faith, radios tuned in to Faith Radio were made available in selected area prisons and jails.

2015

Faith Radio expanded again in a number of ways:

- Faith Radio was pleased to celebrate the relationship with our ministry partners, 4VEH, the Evangelistic Voice of Haiti and invested in delivery technology for our signal.  Faith Radio is heard on 94.7FM, originating from Cap-Haitien, Haiti.

- Faith Radio, in association with Baptist Health, began to be heard on channel 104 in Baptist Health hospitals in Montgomery and Prattville. 

- We rolled out our Faith Radio app, available for download on iPhone, iPad, and Android devices.

2016

- Faith Radio expanded with another broadcast translator - this time to serve the Brewton area with a translator at 92.1FM.