Southwest Radio Church of the Air began in April 1933, when Dr. E.F. Webber, pastor of a local church in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, preached a prophetic message over a local radio station, KTOK. His radio program was his radio church—thus the name, Southwest Radio Church.
As the storm clouds of war began to rise over Europe and Asia, Dr. Webber was convinced that the world was entering the last generation. The format of the daily program was:
- Evangelism—Broadcast the good news that Jesus Christ came to save sinners.
- Prophecy—Signs of the time indicate that Jesus is returning soon.
- Missions—Raise funds to support missionaries in foreign countries.
- Teaching—Teach the Word to discipleship believers.
- Publish—Supplement preaching with sound Christian book dissemination.
- Contend for the faith—Confront and oppose apostasy within the churches.
- Encourage—Support other ministers who need to be heard.
From 1933 to the present time, this ministry format has not changed.
In 1959, Dr. Webber was taken home to be with the Lord.
David Webber, Dr. Webber’s son, and Noah Hutchings, who had joined the ministry in 1951, continued the radio broadcast. Southwest Radio Church subsequently grew from a regional ministry to an international Christian organization, heard in the United States daily from coast to coast. David resigned from the Board of Trustees in 1988.
From 1988 to 2015, Noah Hutchings carried on the ministry. Rev. Hutchings had served as both president and radio host during that time. He wrote dozens of books and booklets on prophecy and other Bible themes. Rev. Hutchings was also active in missions and communications ministries for over 40 years and led mission tours to Israel, Iraq, Egypt, Europe, Russia, China, Mongolia, and many other nations around the world.
Upon the death of Rev. Hutchings, Bob Glaze assumed leadership. Bob serves as president of the ministry and co-host of the program. He joined the ministry in 1996 as general manager. He co-hosts the radio broadcast with Larry Spargimino. Bob also sets up the tours and prophecy conferences, has led tours around the world, and writes books and articles for the ministry. Bob has a Bachelor of Arts degree from Baptist Bible College at Springfield, Missouri, and an MA and Ph.D. from Louisiana Baptist University.
Southwest Radio Ministries continues as the oldest daily communications ministry in the world. It is financially supported by freewill contributions from our listeners, Christian foundations, and churches. The goal of the ministry is to stay on the air until Jesus comes for us in the air.
Testimonials from Our Listeners
It’s the most interesting, enlightening, educative, inquisitive show ever! I love it wholeheartedly. …
—Listener in San Francisco, CA
I love the guests you have on. I love the fact that [your program] is very biblically oriented, and I can’t find anything that disagrees with basically what the Bible says. And I’m really impressed with that.
—Listener in Texas
Since coming to Christ in 2004, the Lord has had several inspiring Christians cross my path, of which you are one.
—Listener in Moore, Oklahoma
Your program is the best on the air. It’s like going to a college class. I’ve learned so much. It’s better than watching the Super Bowl, and I am an avid NFL fan.
—Listener in Houston, Texas
I love SWRC. I have told my friends about your site. I look forward to the radio broadcast every single morning on my hour commute into New Orleans. … You are truly God’s soldiers!!!
—Listener in Covington, Louisiana