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Remember the Simple Treasures of the Light and Life Hour
by Alisa Hofsess, Greenville College

When television was a luxury and radio was a staple, the Free Methodist Church decided to use the power of a voice on the airwaves to share the gospel message with more people than ever before. On October 1, 1944, after securing a contract with the brand new ABC radio network, the Light and Life Hour was launched on twenty-eight stations across North America.

Each week the Light and Life Hour shared the gospel message accompanied by simple hymns and gospels songs. The goal of the program was not only to introduce Christ to new listeners but also to encourage those who already knew the Lord to continue a closer walk with Him.

Though the audience was small at first, eventually over ten million listeners tuned in each week to hear the program on 135 stations in 14 countries. From 1948 to 1952 The the National Religious Broadcasters awarded the Light and Life Hour with the distinction of Best All-Around Religious Radio Program. In 1952 the award was given to the program permanently. But the real success of the program was seen in the thousands of letters that gave testimony to the life-changing power of its message.

Originally directed by Dr. LeRoy M. Lowell and broadcast out of Ferndale FMC in Detroit, the program was turned over to Dr. Myron F. Boyd, pastor of Seattle First Church in 1945. Joined by musical director Dr. Lawrence Schoenhals, Dr. Boyd headed the Light and Life Hour for twenty years until he was elected Bishop in 1964. In 1965, Rev. Robert Andrews took over the ministry and production was moved to Winona Lake, IN. In 1966 Hubert Wash of Spring Arbor stepped in when Schoenhals retired. After thirty-six years on the air, the Light and Life Hour broadcast for the last time in December of 1980 after Andrews was elected Bishop.

Bishop Boyd always believed that the power of the show lay in its simplicity — a simple format, simple music, and a simple message. In an age when simplicity now seems like a luxury, the message of the Light and Life Hour can be a lesson to us all.