Jim Stephens, founder and president of Carolina Christian Radio, has announced his retirement after 43 years of service to Christian Radio audiences from Raleigh, NC to Wilmington, NC.
Jim’s work in Christian Radio began as PD of Raleigh’s WPJL AM in 1978.
In 1991, Jim founded Carolina Christian Radio with the acquisition of a small AM situated on the Cape Fear River in Downtown Wilmington, NC. Jim moved his wife and 2 young daughters from Raleigh to Wilmington and started everything from the equity in the home they sold.
Not long after, God opened the door to launch what has become CCR’s flagship… Life 90.5 FM, covering the Carolina Coast from Jacksonville, NC to North Myrtle Beach, SC.
Jim’s last day of service will be June 30th, 2021.
Jim says… “I’ve never retired before, but everyone I’ve talked to who has retired seems to like it… so I’m excited about retiring and for what the Lord has in store for me and my wife’s future.
One of the big concerns when a founder begins to consider retirement is what the transition will look like. God has been very gracious to me in this regard.
The Lord has raised up a very well prepared and gifted leader who has already been doing the work of leadership for a number of years.
As I leave the ministry, I have perfect peace as Matt Wall will be taking over the position as President of Carolina Christian Radio.
The most important aspect of leadership is serving, and he has led, loved and served the staff and has helped us all with renewed vision and excitement in serving listeners. God has His hand on Matt, and as you think of him, pray for him for Godly wisdom and direction.
I also have peace because of the great team God has brought together to serve our community. We have incredibly talented people here that love one another and love our listeners. We have great chemistry and we have a lot of fun working together.
The past 43 years in Christian radio have been an incredible journey. I’ve seen God do incredible and even impossible miracles. I am forever grateful to the Lord for the opportunity to serve Him through Christian radio both in Raleigh and to finish strong for the past 28 years here in Wilmington.”