Screenshot: American Family Association\/afa.net<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\nIn the chaos and tumult that encapsulated my Christmas season of 2023 (generated by my wife\u2019s breaking her hip on Dec. 17, and her subsequent surgery and rehab), I missed the fact that a giant of the faith, Don Wildmon, left us and went home to be with Jesus last Dec. 28.<\/p>\n
I was momentarily saddened by the news, but then greatly encouraged that this dedicated Christian brother is now free from the suffering of his debilitating disease and is forever in the presence of Jesus, having heard, \u201cWell done, thy good and faithful servant!\u201d<\/p>\n
Wildmon, a native Mississippian, graduated from Millsaps College in 1960 and, after serving in the U.S. Army from 1961 to 1963, received his master of divinity from Emory University\u2019s Candler School of Theology in 1965. Dr. Wildmon served as a pastor in the United Methodist denomination until 1977 when he founded the National Federation for Decency, which later morphed into the American Family Association.<\/p>\n
In 1991, he began the American Family Radio Network, which soon grew to approximately 200 radio stations. Wildmon\u2019s grassroots network was extraordinarily well organized and his followers were deeply committed to the Rev. Wildmon and his vision for restoring traditional, family-oriented Christian values in America. When he asked them to boycott something, they did. When he asked them to protest something, they protested. They loved and trusted \u201cBrother Don.\u201d<\/p>\n
In 2002, Wildmon and Free Congress Foundation Chairman Paul Weyrich founded the Arlington Group, a coalition think tank of conservative cultural groups working for a common consensus on issues such as marriage, abortion and the metastasizing moral decline of American culture and entertainment.<\/p>\n
It was my privilege to have known Wildmon for many years and to have worked with him closely on many issues of common concern. When God called me into Gospel ministry at 16 years of age in 1962, He laid America on my heart as my \u201cmission field.\u201d I believe it was Wildmon\u2019s as well.<\/p>\n
He had a great love for Jesus and for America and he desperately wanted to see America return to a time when Christianity held far greater sway over Americans and their culture.<\/p>\n
Wildmon liked to play off his Mississippi accent and present himself as just a \u201ccountry preacher\u201d concerned about increasing moral indecency. However, his opponents learned to underestimate him at their own peril. Don was one of the shrewdest, wisest, and most sophisticated minds I encountered during my entire ministry in the so-called \u201cculture wars\u201d for America\u2019s soul and America\u2019s future.<\/p>\n
Don\u2019s wisdom was matched both by his courage and his integrity. As we used to say where I come from in Texas, Don \u201chad no backup lights!\u201d He was fearless in pursuit of what he believed was right. He definitely had the courage of his convictions. And it was clear to anyone who worked with him for any time at all that he was in it for the cause, not for himself.<\/p>\n
Wildmon had less ego than perhaps any religious leader I have had the privilege of knowing. And his followers knew that and loved him all the more for it.<\/p>\n
In one of the presidential cycles, people were waiting to see who Wildmon would choose to support. I remarked at the time that when he did endorse, you would see it reflected in the polling because \u201cDon Wildmon is a general who has lots of loyal soldiers and they follow his lead.\u201d Sure enough, when he did endorse, the poll bounce was immediate for his candidate.<\/p>\n
People who were involved in the \u201cculture wars\u201d of the last quarter of the 20th and the first quarter of the 21st centuries will all bear witness that Wildmon was a huge influence for all that was right and good.<\/p>\n
Don always kept his priorities right. He often said, \u201cGod does not require that we be successful. He only requires that we be faithful.\u201d He believed that, and he lived that!<\/p>\n
America and the Christian church were much blessed for having Don Wildmon walk and minister amongst us.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n