Sturat Epperson, Christian media pioneer, died peacefully in his sleep on July 17th at the age of 86. Epperson was Chairman and co-founder of Salem Media Group, a Christian broadcasting company with over 100 radio stations including 67 stations in all of the top 25 markets. Salem also operates SRN News which has over 2,700 Affiliates.
Stu and his brother brother-in-law, Edward Atsinger, founded what was originally called Salem Communications in 1986 and expanded its influence with Christian and politically conservative News Talk formatted radio stations and media platforms nationwide.
He had been involved in broadcasting since he was 7 years old when his late brother Ralph Epperson built a radio station in the home farm house in Ararat, VA, in 1943. He loved hearing testimonies of hundreds of listeners whose lives have been changed by the Power of the Gospel heard over the air. Stuart worked in all areas of broadcasting, even as a disc jockey. He built his first radio station in 1961 in Roanoke, VA, and soon after, he built WKBX, Winston-Salem, and WRBX. Chapel Hill. He was inducted into the North Carolina Broadcasters Hall of Fame in 2015.
As a longtime leader in Christian radio, Epperson ministered to millions. In 2009, Epperson was inducted into the NRB Hall of Fame. In 2005, Time Magazine named him one of the 25 most influential evangelicals in America.
“Stu’s contributions to the field of Christian broadcasting cannot be overstated,” said NRB President and 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 the Salem Media family at this time.”
Blaze TV Host Steve Deace tweeted “An absolute giant in Christian/conservative broadcasting. Even more so, a true gentleman. Big Stu was as first-class as it gets. He lived a long and wonderful life.”
Epperson devoted himself to numerous charitable and humanitarian endeavors through the Winston-Salem Rescue Mission, Salem Pregnancy Care Center, the Christian Association of Youth Mentoring, and other ministries.
Salem Media Group Executive Chairman Ed Atsinger shared, “Stuart will be greatly missed by many. I will miss him, but I take comfort in realizing that he is already receiving his reward for a life well-lived. A life that personifies the words of the Apostle Paul in 2 Timothy 4:7-8: ‘I have fought the good fight. I have finished the race. Now there Is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.’”