Seventy-five years ago, the Baptist Missionary Association (BMA) took a monumental step in its global mission work by commissioning its first missionary, Bro. Harold Morris. Little did they know that Morris’ obedience to God’s calling would not only spread the gospel in South America (and, later, in Europe) but also lay the foundation for what is now Lifeword, a thriving media ministry that continues to reach the world.

Harold Morris was a man of vision and determination. After 12 years of mission work in Brazil and another year in France and Portugal, Bro. Morris’s health forced him to return from the mission field. He carried a deep burden for the lost in his home country. In 1965, he wrote, “Surely, we have only to read the front pages of our newspaper or hear the newscasts to know that our nation is in crisis times, and we feel that the greatest help that we could give our own America is the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ.” He understood that true change could only come through the transformative power of Christ.

God gave Morris a new way to fulfill the Great Commission: media ministry. On September 4, 1965, he launched a Saturday afternoon radio program called Harvest Gleaner Hour on KSTL in St. Louis, Missouri, with the goal of “making Jesus known to the multitudes of our land.”

Morris saw the potential of radio to reach more people in a week than a single missionary family could in a lifetime. His relentless pursuit of excellence led him to seek out the highest-powered stations and to send recorded sermons, music, and Bible studies to the nations.

His successors carried forward his vision. Under their leadership, the ministry expanded rapidly, increasing its radio reach and adding languages such as Spanish, Creole French, Portuguese, Arabic, and Mandarin. In 1978, Harvest Gleaner Hour had become a global presence, and by 1987, a name change was in order. During a strategic meeting, George Reddin stated the purpose of the ministry was “to spread the words of life to everyone around the world.” Thus, Harvest Gleaner Hour became Lifeword.

Lifeword continued to innovate, embracing television, print materials, and later, digital media. Under the leadership of Steve Crawley and Donny Parrish, the ministry transitioned to cloud-based technology, making gospel content available in over 160 languages worldwide.

Harold Morris likely never imagined how technology would evolve, but his passion for using media to spread the gospel still drives Lifeword’s mission. From a single radio broadcast to a global digital footprint, the impact of his obedience continues, fulfilling Jesus’ command to “Go, preach, and make disciples.

The commissioning of Harold Morris was a defining moment in BMA Global’s history and in Lifeword’s, as it paved the way for the creation of this ministry. As BMA Global celebrates its 75th anniversary, we at Lifeword also celebrate the legacy of Bro. Harold Morris, the beginning of BMA Global and, later, Lifeword, and how both ministries continue to reach people for Christ around the world.