Missouri Pro-Life Radio Show Issues Etc. Back on the Air After Cancellation
RSS Newsfeed 
Email article
Printer friendly
by Paul Nowak
LifeNews.com Staff Writer
July 7, 2008
St. Louis, MO (LifeNews.com) — Three months after the sudden cancellation of the popular radio show "Issues, Etc.," the broadcast team returned to the airwaves on a new station.
Last week, the conservative Christian talk show that regularly addressed pro-life issues broadcast its first show from its new home on KSIV AM in St. Louis, MO.
On their first show back, host Todd Wilken and producer Jeff Schwartz expressed gratitude for their supporters and the way things worked out.
"Ever since we knew it was coming back I’ve had one idea in mind, and that’s to pick up right where we left off, and to come back just the same and better," said Wilken during his broadcast.
The team now refers to the three-month hiatus as their "Spring Break."
"That’s the way I want to think about it – a spring break for me and Jeff," said Wilken. "People can stop talking about Issues, Etc. in the past tense."
In March, the Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod, owner of the show’s original home station KFUO AM, pulled the plug on the show and sparked a flurry of activity on blogs, web sites, and social networking sites. The show now has a disclaimer on their broadcast stating, "We are not funded by LCMS, Inc."
The sudden cancellation of the show, including the firing of Todd Wilken and Jeff Schwarz, the show’s host and producer, and the removal of the show’s web site and archives with only a brief statement that the show had been canceled for "programmatic and business reasons," sparked a flurry of activity from bloggers and listeners.
Despite the rampant speculation and the silence of LCMS leaders following the firing, Vicki Biggs, Director of Public Affairs and Media Relations for the LCMS told LifeNews.com that the LCMS would continue to offer its other pro-life resources to the public.
"The Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod (LCMS) has not moved from its historical pro-life view," Biggs told LifeNews.com. "As always, we are committed to proclaiming God’s love and mercy while serving those imminently affected by sanctity of life decisions. Our life ministry is housed in LCMS World Relief and Human Care, the mercy arm of the church charged with reaching out to people in need both domestically and globally.
"Our work to uphold the sanctity of life is indeed global," added Biggs. "For example, we sponsor two pregnancy resource centers in Russia and currently are in the planning stages of developing another one in Asia."
Biggs added: "In addition to the extensive work the Synod does in support of the sanctity of life, we work with and support a number of pro-life service organizations, including Lutherans for Life and Lutheran Family and Children’s Services of Missouri. Also, the LCMS remains an active member and holds a board position on the National Pro-Life Religious Council, an affiliate of National Right to Life."
Sign Up for Free Pro-Life News From LifeNews.com
Daily Pro-Life News Report Twice-Weekly Pro-Life
News Report Receive a free daily email report from LifeNews.com with the latest pro-life news stories on abortion, euthanasia and stem cell research. Sign up here. Receive a free twice-weekly email report with the latest pro-life news headlines on abortion, euthanasia and stem cell research. Sign up here.
