From humble beginnings, God has richly blessed Lutheran Media. The content has varied in style and delivery over time, as has the technology; however, one thing has remained a constant – our desire to make Christ known.
I hope you enjoy this collection of reflections on the history of Lutheran Media. I thank God for the tremendous contributions of the many people who served in Lutheran media ministry in Australia and New Zealand. You are God’s hands and feet – and voice – in God’s mission.
It was on the 2 September 1945, that ‘The Lutheran Hour’ was first broadcast on Australian radio. The founder of the International Lutheran Hour, Dr Walter Maier, was heard on 36 stations in all capital cities and many large rural centres around Australia. Records show that 106 people responded by mail to that first program and 45 pounds was received in donations.
80 years later we’re still broadcasting on the radio, and we’re still requiring support.
Thanks to you we’ve been richly blessed. Thanks to your ongoing support we’re looking forward to the next 80 years of sharing Jesus via media!
Tania Nelson
Lutheran Media Manager
Get our history book!
This book provides glimpses into our history through a delightful collection of stories and images.
Our Timeline
1926
First radio broadcast of a church service
takes place from Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Flinders Street, Adelaide, South Australia.
1938
Application to New Zealand radio stations for devotional broadcasts
Two pastors, Rev. Pahl of Wellington and Rev. Gebauer of Christchurch, apply to their respective local radio stations for permission to have devotional broadcasts.
They are granted one session a month.
1939
The Lutheran Hour starts broadcasting in Australia
on shortwave radio from Manila at Christmas. Lutheran US soldiers bring the Lutheran Hour to Australia during WWII.
1941
Lutheran Hour New Zealand Committee forms
A radio committee forms with the purpose of asking the National Broadcasting Service if ‘The Lutheran Hour’, an American program popular in the USA, can be broadcast. However, their request was unsuccessful.
1944
Australian Committee's first meeting
On May 4th, the Lutheran Hour Broadcasting Committee holds its first meeting at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Flinders Street, Adelaide, South Australia.
1945
The Lutheran Hour airs on Australian Radio
On September 2nd, The Lutheran Hour airs first broadcast on Australian radio.
International Lutheran Hour founder, Dr Walter A. Maier, is heard on 36 stations in all capital cities and many large rural centres around Australia. It receives 106 responses by mail and 45 pounds in donations.
1952
The Lutheran Hour in New Zealand
Radio Mission begins in New Zealand. 4XD in Dunedin and 2XM in Gisborne (no longer operating) begin broadcasting The Lutheran Hour content.
1962
TV and Film from America
A TV sub-committee is formed. Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod in America provides films and later, the Lutheran Laymen’s League of America supplies a number of the ‘This is the Life’ films made in Hollywood.
1965
1000th Lutheran Hour program broadcast in Australia
On January 26th, The Sunday Mail in South Australia features a full-page article celebrating the 1000th Lutheran Hour program broadcast in Australia. It acknowledges the important role of 5DN and includes letters of congratulation from Dr Oswald Hoffmann and evangelist Billy Graham.
1970
Australian Lutheran Hour builds its own recording studio
at 70 Pirie Street, Adelaide, South Australia, ending its partnership with 5DN after 25 years.
1972
Silver Jubilee of Radio Mission NZ
In October, the silver jubilee of Radio Mission in New Zealand is celebrated.
1973
The Lutheran Hour Airs on New Zealand radio
Convention approves a two-year appointment for Pastor Lance Steicke, President of LCNZ, to work half time as Director of Lutheran Media Ministry in New Zealand, relieving him of his parish duties.
1978
Australia's Lutheran Hour
At LCA Convention of General Synod in Sydney NSW, a decision is made to Australianise The Lutheran Hour. Approval is granted to establish Face to Face (15-minute program) and On The Spot (30 and 60 second thought starters) radio programs. The ministry is renamed to Lutheran Radio & TV.
1980
The Stableboy's Christmas
The first children’s film, The Stableboy’s Christmas, is televised nationally from the USA.
1981
On The Spot
30 and 60 second messages are produced.
1983
Face to Face
On September 18th, the first Face to Face program airs.
1995
Removed from the LCA budget
Lutheran Radio and TV is removed from LCA budget and relies totally on donations from supporters.
1996
LCA website planning
The first meetings to produce the LCA website take place and are known as the ‘Homepage Committee’.
1997
Name change
The LCA approved a name change to Lutheran Media Ministry.
1999
On Main Street
The American TV talk-back show On Main Street, hosted by Dale Meyer, begins airing on the Australian Christian Channel.
The website lca.org.au is launched.
2000
Red Boots for Christmas
The Red Boots for Christmas campaign airs on national TV.
2005
Face to Face website launches
The website facetoface.org.au is launched
2006
Red Boots website launches
The website redboots.com.au is launched
2007
Face to Face one-minute spots are created
Lutheran Media Inc is registered on the Australian Business Register on August 13th. Lutheran Media Inc is endorsed as a deductable gift recipient on October 12th.
2008
Happyland website launches
The website happyland.com.au is launched.
2010
LCA worship DVDs begin to be distributed
2012
Face to Face becomes available on mobile and iTunes
2013
Social Media outreach is established
Livestreamed worship launches on October 20th for the worship service of the installation of Rev Jon Henderson as bishop of the LCA at St Michael’s Lutheran Church, Hahndorf, South Australia.
2014
New Branding
New branding for Face to Face (Messages of hope) and Lutheran Media (Communicating Christ) is introduced with taglines in brackets.
YouTube videos are launched.
2016
Face to Face launches in New Zealand
first playing on February 1st, with 30 second messages.
2017
A video competition is launched
2018
Face to Face rebrands to Messages of hope
accompanied by the launch of the websites messagesofhope.org.au & messagesofhope.org.nz
The Happyland app is launched in September.
2020
The calendar photo competition is launched
2022
Lutheran Media finances become independent
from the LCA with Lutheran Media Inc as the operational entity from October 1st.
2023
Worship DVDs cease distribution
at the end of 2023 due to the growth of livestreamed and online worship options.
2024
Social media gospel posts are added to the Lutheran Media website
New Zealand Messages of hope website and Facebook page close and directed to the Australian sites.
2025
Hope for kids
Happyland is rebranded as ‘Hope for kids’ and the Happyland website is retired.
