Conversion of Theodore H. Epp (August 18, 1927)

On August 18, 1927, Theodore H. Epp, only 20, moved from religious familiarity to a personal, living trust in Jesus Christ. What had been outward association became inward surrender—repentance, faith, and a settled confidence that Christ Himself saves. That quiet turning reshaped his desires, his priorities, and his sense of calling, marking him with a humility that listened before speaking and a courage that refused to soften the truth.

Those who later heard him teach often noted an unusual steadiness: he did not present Christianity as self-improvement, but as new life. “Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away. Behold, the new has come!” (2 Corinthians 5:17). Epp’s own story became a living footnote to that verse—proof that the gospel is not merely information but transformation.

Back to the Bible Broadcast (Founded 1939)

In 1939, years after his conversion had been tested and matured through ministry, Epp founded the Back to the Bible Broadcast in Lincoln, Nebraska. The timing was significant: the world was unsettled, and many hearts were anxious. Rather than building on personality or novelty, the broadcast emphasized clear Scripture teaching and earnest prayer, calling listeners to return to God’s Word as the final authority for faith and life.

Radio demanded a different kind of heroism than a public platform. It required discipline, consistency, and the willingness to preach to unseen people—some lonely, some skeptical, some hungry for hope—trusting God to work through His Word. “Consequently, faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ.” (Romans 10:17). That conviction shaped the broadcast’s tone: direct, pastoral, and centered on Christ.

Growth and Legacy

From small beginnings, Back to the Bible spread widely, eventually reaching listeners through more than 600 stations worldwide. Yet the heart of the work remained simple: Scripture opened, Christ proclaimed, and believers strengthened for daily discipleship. Epp’s legacy is not only a growing ministry, but a model of steady faith—humble dependence on God, courage to speak plainly, and confidence that the gospel can reach any home where it is heard.