WASHINGTON, D.C. (NRB) — The National Religious Broadcasters (NRB), the world’s leading association of Christian communicators, mourns the passing of Stu Epperson, Sr., a pioneer and powerhouse in Christian and conservative radio broadcasting.
Epperson was the co-founder and chairman emeritus of Salem Media Group, ministering to millions through Christian talk and teaching on Salem’s thriving media platforms.
“Stu’s contributions to the field of Christian broadcasting cannot be overstated,” said NRB President & CEO Troy A. Miller. “He touched countless lives with his unwavering commitment to Christian communications excellence and using the airwaves to advance the truth. We extend our heartfelt condolences to his loved ones and to the Salem Media family at this time.”
Inspired to set the highest standards for excellence in sharing the Christian message, Epperson combined radio assets with his brother-in-law, Edward Atsinger III and co-founded Salem Communications (now Salem Media Group) in 1974. Today, Salem’s diverse broadcast and digital offerings reach tens of millions annually. In 2005, TIME magazine noted Epperson as one of America’s 25 most influential evangelicals. Epperson devoted himself to numerous charitable and humanitarian endeavors throughout his life through the Winston-Salem Rescue Mission, Salem Pregnancy Care Center, the Christian Association of Youth Mentoring, and other ministries.
For over a decade, Epperson served on the NRB Executive Committee and Board of Directors, and was a member of the NRB President’s Council for many years. Epperson also played a key role in the establishment of NRBTV and served for seventeen years as NRBTV’s chairman.
In 2009, Epperson was inducted into the NRB Hall of Fame. The NRB Hall of Fame stands as a witness for today’s Christian communicators—a showcase of warriors for Christ who live exemplary lives of valor and compassion, blazing trails and leaving paths for succeeding generations to follow. The Hall of Fame award is NRB’s most prestigious award and is presented to an individual NRB member for invaluable contribution to the field of Christian communications, exhibition of the highest standards, and evidence of faithfulness in Christ. Salem Media Group has been an NRB member since 1977.
The NRB family mourns the loss of an exceptional Christian broadcasting leader while celebrating Epperson’s incredible legacy of faithful Christian service.
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About NRB
NRB is a nonpartisan, international association of Christian communicators whose member organizations represent millions of listeners, viewers, and readers. NRB’s mission is two-fold: To protect the free speech rights of our members to speak Biblical truth by advocating those rights in governmental, corporate, and media sectors; and To foster excellence, integrity, and accountability in our membership by providing networking, educational, ministry, and relational opportunities. Learn more at www.nrb.org.
About the NRB Convention
The annual NRB International Christian Media Convention is the largest nationally and internationally recognized event dedicated solely to assisting those in the field of Christian communications. The dynamic and award-winning Exposition consists of dozens of organizations and is an active marketplace for those seeking products and services to enhance their organization. The next Convention will be held February 20-23, 2024, at the Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center, Nashville, Tenn. For more information, go to www.nrbconvention.org.