10 Questions with ... Doug Moore

BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:

Even with his entire life rooted in the world of radio and ministry, Doug Moore-along with his siblings Charles and Rachelle-was hit with a somewhat-unexpected life shakeup a little over a year ago, when his father, WFRN/South Bend, IN station founder and Christian radio stalwart Ed Moore passed just over a year ago, only 15 months after the death of Ed's wife (Doug's mother), Jan.

Within a short amount of time following those losses, the Moore siblings were forced to make some difficult adjustments-quickly-together, in order to keep the legacy station their grandfather had started decades earlier, not only alive, but thriving. Doug, who assumed co-GM responsibilities on top of maintaining his morning show shift and programming duties, recounts his unique upbringing in radio and how he's dealt with the recent departure of his radio-pioneer parents.

1. Would you please share a brief history of your radio career path that's taken you to where you are now?

I'll start with my dad (Ed Moore) and grandpa (Clarence Moore). In the opening months of World War II, Grandpa & Grandma took my toddler uncle and infant father to the Andes Mountains of South America. They were escorted by Navy boats, because of the fear of German U-2 boats in those waters of the Western Hemisphere. When they arrived in Quito, the whole team led by Clarence Jones of HCJB were discouraged that the equipment kept failing, even melting. No one in world history had every attempted such high-wattage transmissions from such heights. They felt that God had directed them to begin the first worldwide Christian short-wave ministry, but it just wasn't working. Grandpa took his little family down to the coast of Ecuador, and prayed and fasted for two weeks, asking God for direction. God gave Grandpa the idea for a totally new kind of antenna, the cubicle quad. They constructed it up in the mountains back in Quito, and they were off to the races, transmitting the Gospel around the world; including many nations whose leadership was hostile to Christian missionaries.

After I graduated from Taylor University in Upland, IN, I did an internship at WNAZ/WENO with John Wesley, on the campus of Trevecca Nazarene University in Nashville. My first paid job was in sales for the newest station at the time in the radio ministry that I grew up with (WFRN, in Northern Indiana and SW Michigan). I quickly learned how challenging radio sales is! That led to programming, and eventually the morning show, and now co-general management.

2. At what point in your life did you realize you were purposed to be in radio?

It's funny; as a third-generation Christian broadcaster, you'd think I would have figured it out growing up. But it wasn't until after graduating from college that I began to think in that direction. I was a special needs counselor at Spring Hill Camp in Evart, MI; which was a profound experience for me, and really got me to thinking about vocation and Kingdom impact. That led to the internship in Nashville. I never mentioned that I was part of a multi-generation Christian radio family until the end of my time there. I wanted "the objective experience." I loved it, and have been involved almost ever since.

3. Has there ever been a part of you that was interested in exploring a radio gig outside of Northern Indiana?

Nope. I love the area I'm from. My family (and my wife's) have deep roots in the "Michiana" region, and specifically Elkhart County, IN (a truly wonderful area, where our studios and offices are located for our stations), and we love raising our kids here.

4. Who are the people who've influenced you most not only as an on-air host, but as a programmer?

Off the top of my head: Dan O'Day, Tommy Kramer, Brian Wright, C.S. Lewis (yes, really). Especially my dad, Ed Moore-who went Home to be with our Lord in February 2017-and my mom, Jan Moore, who "graduated" in November 2015. I grew up listening to my mom on the radio, and I inherited her personality. God placed me with two of the kindest, most solid Christian parents I could have ever had. I miss them regularly, and together with my brother Charles and sister Rachelle, we are committed to continuing their life investment into Christian radio in this region. And we're blessed with a fantastic team.

5. What were the perks...and what were the trials...of growing up in radio under your father's leadership?

The trials were few, and the blessing was great. Dad inherited a lot of the strengths of his father. Grandpa and Dad were both hard-working, visionary, and "all in" for the Lord and Christian broadcasting. But while Grandpa was "all business" (at least from my perspective, as a young, admiring grandson!), Dad was extra-personable, and a joy to work with.

6. You experienced significant family loss in a short amount of time recently that impacted you personally and professionally. What happened and how did you mentally, spiritually, emotionally process it at the time?

Boy, it was tough, losing Mom-and then Dad-15 months apart. The hardest part was realizing that my son, Luke, probably wouldn't remember his Grandpa. I turn that sadness towards prayers that Luke (and all five of my wife Lisa and my kids: Ben, Gabe, Josh, Kate...and Luke) will grow closer to the Lord every year of their lives. Soon and very soon, we'll look back on this little time on earth as the blip that it is.

7. Were you willing and prepared to take on the leadership responsibilities (along with your siblings) after your father passed? And what did you learn about your father posthumously as you stepped into his shoes?

Not really! I was willing, but definitely didn't feel fully prepared. A few huge helps included: My big bro and little sis and I have asked the Lord many times for unity (turns out, it's one thing to get together as family for meals and holidays; but it's another to try to run something together, will all of the decisions involved, day-in and day-out). For the most part, God has given us that unity!

And, of course, we've had to give and receive grace on numerous occasions. Another thing that we've asked the Lord for is godly counselors; and again, he has provided! Some key counselors have been Dewey Moede and Ed Wright, and also Sergio Scataglini. There's also been a special relationship with Kyle Martin in revival ministry. And we're blessed with a great core team in our staff family.

8. Who did you lean on most as you took on your new roles?

To some extent, we've leaned on each other. In the past, I've primarily been in programming, public relations, and on air; Charles has been involved with IT/tech and facilities; and Rachelle has been involved more with promotions, events, and sales tie-ins. Dewey Moede has been a huge help in the sales area. And Cody Collier, Staci Sylvester, Pam Davis, Jan Lange, Jim Kelly, Larry Kanagy, Vincy Wilamowski, Gregg Richards, and Don Pettifor have been amazing in areas ranging from award-winning production, to traffic, to accounting, to sales/marketing, to on-air, to engineering. Top to bottom, great people. We're blessed.

9. What are the most important things you've learned about yourself during this new season and role at WFRN?

My awareness of my need for the Lord has increased experientially to match my belief about that. I've really enjoyed the whole challenge and the growth that comes with that-but, boy, do new challenges and roles highlight how limited we are, and how much we need Him. And He gives grace to match the need. Through this whole process, and the passing of Mom & Dad, my affection for the Lord has definitely deepened.

I really enjoy working with businesses, ministries and organizations in our communities from an ownership/management perspective. I've done it for years as an on-air personality, but this has taken it to a new level.

10. Looking ahead, what do you look forward to most, as it pertains to WFRN's future?

We've been blessed for years to be one of those relatively few Christian stations that is often the most listened to of all stations (not just Christian) in some of our core areas. And this is with another excellent contemporary Christian station in our marketplace. We typically have three to five times the listenership of any other Christian format station, and often number one of all stations in all formats. So I look forward, Lord-willing, to growing with this economy and the revival we've experienced in this area in the last few years-to God be the glory! We need Him every step of the way, so he gets all the credit!