Our History
Since 1978, The Word Today has been sharing God's Word with people around the world — growing from a single congregation's leap of faith to a global ministry reaching millions.
How It All Began
The Word Today was started in 1978 as the result of a spiritual challenge presented by the founder of the program, Paul R. Schroeder, to the members of Our Shepherd Lutheran Church in Greendale, Wisconsin.
Pastor Schroeder had seen great ministries begin as a response to a call for commitment. He asked the members of Our Shepherd to raise $25,000 in two weeks as a sign that God wanted the ministry started.
The evening of the deadline, just 1½ hours before the deadline, the last gift of $500 put the total at $25,100!
Since then, God has been pleased to grow The Word Today by leaps and bounds. What started as a vision from one congregation has become a worldwide ministry reaching millions with the Good News of Jesus Christ.
Milestones
Key moments in our journey of faith
The Beginning
The Word Today was started as the result of a spiritual challenge presented by founder Paul R. Schroeder to the members of Our Shepherd Lutheran Church in Greendale, Wisconsin. He asked the congregation to raise $25,000 in two weeks as a sign that God wanted the ministry started.
✨ Just 1½ hours before the deadline, the last gift of $500 put the total at $25,100!
Growing Impact
The ministry continued to grow steadily, with an annual budget reaching $480,000 as more languages and regions were added.
Trans World Radio Partnership
A significant milestone occurred when Trans World Radio chose to broadcast The Word Today in Arabic. Millions of people across the Middle East could now hear the Gospel in the clear, encouraging style of The Word Today.
✨ Broadcasts more than doubled from 21 languages to 46 — representing 116% growth in one year!
Global Expansion
The Word Today expanded to Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Cambodia, Myanmar, Vietnam, Philippines, Niger, Cape Verde, Togo, Côte d'Ivoire, Italy, Greece, Portugal, Spain, Slovenia, Bosnia, Croatia, Slovakia, Serbia, and Bulgaria.
Worldwide Reach
Over the years, 21 additional languages have been added, expanding reach to Malawi, Japan, Mali, Iran, Asia, Montenegro, Kenya, East Africa, Tajikistan, Benin, Pakistan, Nepal, and Kyrgyzstan.
✨ Currently broadcasting in 67 languages globally!
Our Mission Continues
There are millions of people who are waiting desperately to hear some Good News, and The Word Today is bringing it to them! We use 100% of contributions to develop and broadcast the Gospel.
The Beginning — 1978
The Word Today was started as the result of a spiritual challenge presented by founder Paul R. Schroeder to the members of Our Shepherd Lutheran Church in Greendale, Wisconsin. He asked the congregation to raise $25,000 in two weeks as a sign that God wanted the ministry started.
Just 1½ hours before the deadline, the last gift of $500 put the total at $25,100!
Growing Impact — 2003
The ministry continued to grow steadily, with an annual budget reaching $480,000 as more languages and regions were added.
Trans World Radio Partnership — 2007
A significant milestone occurred when Trans World Radio chose to broadcast The Word Today in Arabic. Millions of people across the Middle East could now hear the Gospel in the clear, encouraging style of The Word Today.
Broadcasts more than doubled from 21 languages to 46 — representing 116% growth in one year!
Global Expansion — 2007 and Beyond
The Word Today expanded to Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Cambodia, Myanmar, Vietnam, Philippines, Niger, Cape Verde, Togo, Côte d'Ivoire, Italy, Greece, Portugal, Spain, Slovenia, Bosnia, Croatia, Slovakia, Serbia, and Bulgaria.
Worldwide Reach — Today
Over the years, 21 additional languages have been added, expanding reach to Malawi, Japan, Mali, Iran, Asia, Montenegro, Kenya, East Africa, Tajikistan, Benin, Pakistan, Nepal, and Kyrgyzstan.
Currently broadcasting in 67 languages globally!