10 Questions with ... Rod Kittleman

BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:

Throughout his 40 years in radio, Rod Kittleman has never had a problem putting all of his thoughts out on the table. So it really came as no surprise that, even through unfathomably fearful and discouraging circumstances of an illness that threatened his life and eventually took his lower right leg, the veteran DJ managed to keep an open line of communication along the way.

In May, after dealing with diabetes, suffering a stroke and already in need of a kidney transplant, Rod had to have his foot and eventually his entire right leg amputated due to infection. Soon after the process, however, he was back to doing his morning show on KADI-FM from his hospital room.

A full month post-surgery, Rod graciously sheds some light onto this portion of his physical and spiritual journey.

1) What is the radio career path that's taken you to where you are currently at KADI?

I started in mainstream radio in 1978 and worked in that field for 14 years: Country, News and Easy Listening. I worked all of the dayparts in radio, eventually getting a job as Program director. I was sent to programming school, and learned from the best in the business at mainstream radio.

Then, one day, God called me to the Christian format. I said no, but God said yes. And then I got fired from country radio, because the format changed to talk radio. Next, I found myself in Christian radio at KADI in Springfield, MO.

2) What would "present-day Rod" tell the Rod that started in radio back in 1978?

Be focused, but be flexible. Learn as much as you can from all radio formats. Be a leader not a follower. Don't do for your station just because the other stations are doing it.

3) Off the air, you've had a very trying year. In a nutshell, what has that looked like for you?

Well, 2018 has been extremely hard. I have pretty much been in the hospital from January through May, near death with septic infection-which led to the amputation of my [right] foot and half of my leg. Nevertheless, for some reason, God has chosen to keep me on earth.

4) What are the first feelings that went through your mind when you were given the news of the severity of your condition?

At first, when I heard that I was going to the ICU because I was septic, I really had no fear or concern. I told God that it was his choice whether I stayed here or went home to be with him. He chose for me to stay.

5) Are you still dealing with those feelings or have you changed your course emotionally over the past few months?

When the doctors said I was going to at first lose a foot, I got very angry at God and my faith was pretty much crushed. I told God he was either real or a scam and all of this Christianity stuff was a bunch of bunk. I told Him he had better show up and prove that he was real.

God did show up within 24 hours. People who I have known in past years-people that I have had no interaction with for several years-started showing up to my hospital room and said God told them to come and pray for me. God really said the final word when he sent a five year-old listener who said God told him to come pray for me. A child whom I had never met. Oh, how great is the faith of a little child.

6) How and from whom have you found the greatest support during this season? In what way have they been supportive?

In order: my God, my wife and family, my church, my nurses and doctors and fellow brothers and sisters in Christ. All of them have helped me in many awesome ways. It's like God put me in a cocoon of Christian love and support all wrapped up around me.

7) Were there any particular songs that have brought you a sense of peace, comfort and hope lately?

Oh yes! "Bright" by Newsong, "Details" by Sarah Reeves and "WaveWalker" by Citizen Way have all reminded me of God's concern; His power and faithfulness.

8) As a radio guy, how has this entire experience changed your perspective, both as an on-air personality and as a programmer?

I have chosen to be one hundred-percent real. Nothing fake on the air. Every emotion. Every feeling. Every thought is shared on the air. I am as vulnerable as can be with my listeners. I call it "reality radio."

9) So what is next for you, as far as your health situation is concerned? As you look into the future, what consumes your mind most?

Praying and working to get back on my one foot and leg with a "kickstand"--otherwise known as a fake leg. I can't pronounce prosthetic.

10) Is there anything your radio and records industry peers can do to help? If so, what specifically?

• Fervent Prayer. Every hour. Everyday.
• Pray that God uses my "Brag on God with Rod" to help strengthen the faith of others.
• Pray that God uses me and the Christian radio format to unify the body of Christ.
• Pray that God unifies the Christian music industry.
• Pray for America and the President.
• Pray for my healing.
• Pray that the Christian radio format won't dwell on number ones, ratings and revenue-but on the concerns of building the kingdom by proclaiming the might, power and awesomeness of God!