Our Story

Our radio ministry traces its roots to “Your Hour of Worship,” which was initiated through the Church Brotherhood of Trinity Lutheran Church in Waterloo, Iowa. Those in the fellowship were greatly concerned about a large number of shut-ins and elderly who were not able to attend Sunday worship services. In addition, they were highly motivated to spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ to those who were not in church. The first broadcast went over the airwaves on September 6, 1936 and was greeted with many letters of appreciation.
Our first radio preacher was Rev. Dr. G.E. Melchert, the dynamic preacher of Trinity Lutheran Church. In October of 1956, the broadcast was moved to First Lutheran Church of Waterloo with Rev. Bruno Schlachtenhaufen assuming the duties of radio preacher.

In January 1962, Pastor Schlachtenhaufen answered another church call. Rev. Dr. Homer Larsen of Nazareth Lutheran Church in Cedar Falls became radio preacher, serving in that capacity for over 50 years. In 2005, the Board and Rev. Larsen asked Rev. Steve Kramer, Senior Pastor of Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church in Afton, MN, to serve as associate radio preacher. When Pastor Larsen retired in 2013, Pastor Kramer became the main radio preacher, and at that time Rev. Lee Laaveg of Faith Lutheran Church in Spencer, IA was called to preach the last Sunday of the month as the associate radio preacher. In 2021, Rev. Laaveg retired from his position as associate radio preacher and was replaced by Pastor Tim Boettger of Cedar Falls, IA. At the end of 2023, Steve Kramer retired, and starting in January of 2024, Tim Boettger became our only radio preacher for the first time since pre-2005 Homer Larsen.