George Bogle
Encyclopedia
George Bogle is a minister
and religious broadcaster
in Detroit. Bogle is noteworthy for his broadcasting and social activism in Detroit. A longtime presence over the airwaves in Detroit, Pastor Bogle has had a daily television and/or radio show in southeastern Michigan
since 1967.
near Detroit to a religious family, Bogle struggled to earn a living for many years before taking over a small congregation his father had established. In 1955 he married; his wife Shirley plays a major role in all ministry activities. Throughout most of his life Bogle had to work to support his wife and four children, while also leading a church
. This personal familiarity with the common struggles of economic survival in Detroit marked Bogle's purpose and ministry.
was escalating and the wounds of the 12th Street Riot
were still fresh. Although Caucasian, Bogle establish a racially diverse congregation called the 'House of Prayer'. It included a dormitory and halfway house for Detroiters troubled by homelessness
, mental illness
and drug addiction. Small businesses were established to serve the public and act as gainful employment for jobless church members.
'Evangel Ministries' was created later upon moving into a traditional church building on Detroit’s westside near Stansbury and Grand River Boulevard. Soon after, George and Shirley began 'The Evangel Prayer Time' radio
ministry to serve the prayer
needs of Christian
and non-Christians in Detroit. Although an evangelical
minister, Bogle’s unpretentious manner, accepting attitude and practical advice with believers and non-Christians attracted listeners to his show. His commitment to racial equality
and support for the urban
poor
distinguishes him beyond the bounds of a traditional minister. Nevertheless, his show can be criticized for failing to take fully into account the serious nature of dispensing advice without professional training. Callers often present serious social, medical, family and economic problems, and Bogle's ultimate advice is always prayer. Additionally, the show is supported through donations from listeners and at times can become primarily concerned with fundraising
. In 2004, George Bogle turned seventy years old and there was public birthday party for him sponsored by Detroit civic leaders.
ministry, a live prayer request show, was created after he retired from Evangel Ministries, where he had been senior Pastor
for thirty years. It is broadcast weeknights from midnight to 3AM on WMUZ
103.5 FM
and simulcast on sister station WRDT
560 AM
.
In the course of clarifying the prayer request, Bogle displays an unusual gracefulness, tact, patience and insight, but also expresses a conservative, traditional viewpoint. The show also includes a recorded sermon
, that Bogle had preached in the past to a congregation. Most of these lectures are recorded recently as Bogle still preaches in morning services at Evangel Ministries.
Unusually candid and uncensored thoughts and opinions often make their way to air. Often a regular listener will be able to follow persons through life changing events as Bogle always encourages ‘praise reports’. Even Bogle exposes himself, offering personal stories and intimate details of his years in ministry.
Minister of religion
In Christian churches, a minister is someone who is authorized by a church or religious organization to perform functions such as teaching of beliefs; leading services such as weddings, baptisms or funerals; or otherwise providing spiritual guidance to the community...
and religious broadcaster
Presenter
A presenter, or host , is a person or organization responsible for running an event. A museum or university, for example, may be the presenter or host of an exhibit. Likewise, a master of ceremonies is a person that hosts or presents a show...
in Detroit. Bogle is noteworthy for his broadcasting and social activism in Detroit. A longtime presence over the airwaves in Detroit, Pastor Bogle has had a daily television and/or radio show in southeastern Michigan
Michigan
Michigan is a U.S. state located in the Great Lakes Region of the United States of America. The name Michigan is the French form of the Ojibwa word mishigamaa, meaning "large water" or "large lake"....
since 1967.
Family
Born during the DepressionGreat Depression
The Great Depression was a severe worldwide economic depression in the decade preceding World War II. The timing of the Great Depression varied across nations, but in most countries it started in about 1929 and lasted until the late 1930s or early 1940s...
near Detroit to a religious family, Bogle struggled to earn a living for many years before taking over a small congregation his father had established. In 1955 he married; his wife Shirley plays a major role in all ministry activities. Throughout most of his life Bogle had to work to support his wife and four children, while also leading a church
Church Body
A local church is a Christian religious organization that meets in a particular location. Many are formally organized, with constitutions and by-laws, maintain offices, are served by pastors or lay leaders, and, in nations where this is permissible, often seek seek non-profit corporate status...
. This personal familiarity with the common struggles of economic survival in Detroit marked Bogle's purpose and ministry.
Evangel Ministries
In 1970 Bogle and Shirley moved from the white Detroit suburb of Mt. Clemens to the city of Detroit and opened a storefront ministry. The Bogle family entered Detroit at time when white flightWhite flight
White flight has been a term that originated in the United States, starting in the mid-20th century, and applied to the large-scale migration of whites of various European ancestries from racially mixed urban regions to more racially homogeneous suburban or exurban regions. It was first seen as...
was escalating and the wounds of the 12th Street Riot
12th Street riot
The 1967 Detroit riot, also known as the 12th Street riot, was a civil disturbance in Detroit, Michigan, that began in the early morning hours of Sunday, July 23, 1967. The precipitating event was a police raid of an unlicensed, after-hours bar then known as a blind pig, on the corner of 12th and...
were still fresh. Although Caucasian, Bogle establish a racially diverse congregation called the 'House of Prayer'. It included a dormitory and halfway house for Detroiters troubled by homelessness
Homelessness
Homelessness describes the condition of people without a regular dwelling. People who are homeless are unable or unwilling to acquire and maintain regular, safe, and adequate housing, or lack "fixed, regular, and adequate night-time residence." The legal definition of "homeless" varies from country...
, mental illness
Mental illness
A mental disorder or mental illness is a psychological or behavioral pattern generally associated with subjective distress or disability that occurs in an individual, and which is not a part of normal development or culture. Such a disorder may consist of a combination of affective, behavioural,...
and drug addiction. Small businesses were established to serve the public and act as gainful employment for jobless church members.
'Evangel Ministries' was created later upon moving into a traditional church building on Detroit’s westside near Stansbury and Grand River Boulevard. Soon after, George and Shirley began 'The Evangel Prayer Time' radio
Radio
Radio is the transmission of signals through free space by modulation of electromagnetic waves with frequencies below those of visible light. Electromagnetic radiation travels by means of oscillating electromagnetic fields that pass through the air and the vacuum of space...
ministry to serve the prayer
Prayer
Prayer is a form of religious practice that seeks to activate a volitional rapport to a deity through deliberate practice. Prayer may be either individual or communal and take place in public or in private. It may involve the use of words or song. When language is used, prayer may take the form of...
needs of Christian
Christian
A Christian is a person who adheres to Christianity, an Abrahamic, monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth as recorded in the Canonical gospels and the letters of the New Testament...
and non-Christians in Detroit. Although an evangelical
Evangelicalism
Evangelicalism is a Protestant Christian movement which began in Great Britain in the 1730s and gained popularity in the United States during the series of Great Awakenings of the 18th and 19th century.Its key commitments are:...
minister, Bogle’s unpretentious manner, accepting attitude and practical advice with believers and non-Christians attracted listeners to his show. His commitment to racial equality
Racial equality
Racial equality means different things in different contexts. It mostly deals with an equal regard to all races.It can refer to a belief in biological equality of all human races....
and support for the urban
Urban area
An urban area is characterized by higher population density and vast human features in comparison to areas surrounding it. Urban areas may be cities, towns or conurbations, but the term is not commonly extended to rural settlements such as villages and hamlets.Urban areas are created and further...
poor
Poor
Poor is an adjective related to a state of poverty, low quality or pity.People with the surname Poor:* Charles Henry Poor, a US Navy officer* Charles Lane Poor, an astronomer* Edward Erie Poor, a vice president of the National Park Bank...
distinguishes him beyond the bounds of a traditional minister. Nevertheless, his show can be criticized for failing to take fully into account the serious nature of dispensing advice without professional training. Callers often present serious social, medical, family and economic problems, and Bogle's ultimate advice is always prayer. Additionally, the show is supported through donations from listeners and at times can become primarily concerned with fundraising
Fundraising
Fundraising or fund raising is the process of soliciting and gathering voluntary contributions as money or other resources, by requesting donations from individuals, businesses, charitable foundations, or governmental agencies...
. In 2004, George Bogle turned seventy years old and there was public birthday party for him sponsored by Detroit civic leaders.
Nightvision radio show
Bogle's current Nightvision radioRadio
Radio is the transmission of signals through free space by modulation of electromagnetic waves with frequencies below those of visible light. Electromagnetic radiation travels by means of oscillating electromagnetic fields that pass through the air and the vacuum of space...
ministry, a live prayer request show, was created after he retired from Evangel Ministries, where he had been senior Pastor
Pastor
The word pastor usually refers to an ordained leader of a Christian congregation. When used as an ecclesiastical styling or title, this role may be abbreviated to "Pr." or often "Ps"....
for thirty years. It is broadcast weeknights from midnight to 3AM on WMUZ
WMUZ
WMUZ is an FM radio station in the United States serving the Detroit, MI market at 103.5 MHz. The station has a contemporary Christian music and Christian talk format, known on the air as The Light...
103.5 FM
FM broadcasting
FM broadcasting is a broadcasting technology pioneered by Edwin Howard Armstrong which uses frequency modulation to provide high-fidelity sound over broadcast radio. The term "FM band" describes the "frequency band in which FM is used for broadcasting"...
and simulcast on sister station WRDT
WRDT
WRDT, known on the air as "The Word AM 560, Detroit's Christian Talk", is a radio station licensed to Monroe, Michigan, serving the Detroit metropolitan area. The station broadcasts in HD Radio with 500 Watts daytime power from a transmitter located in South Monroe, MI, and 14 Watts nighttime...
560 AM
AM broadcasting
AM broadcasting is the process of radio broadcasting using amplitude modulation. AM was the first method of impressing sound on a radio signal and is still widely used today. Commercial and public AM broadcasting is carried out in the medium wave band world wide, and on long wave and short wave...
.
In the course of clarifying the prayer request, Bogle displays an unusual gracefulness, tact, patience and insight, but also expresses a conservative, traditional viewpoint. The show also includes a recorded sermon
Sermon
A sermon is an oration by a prophet or member of the clergy. Sermons address a Biblical, theological, religious, or moral topic, usually expounding on a type of belief, law or behavior within both past and present contexts...
, that Bogle had preached in the past to a congregation. Most of these lectures are recorded recently as Bogle still preaches in morning services at Evangel Ministries.
Unusually candid and uncensored thoughts and opinions often make their way to air. Often a regular listener will be able to follow persons through life changing events as Bogle always encourages ‘praise reports’. Even Bogle exposes himself, offering personal stories and intimate details of his years in ministry.
External links
- WMUZ 103.5 FM in Detroit, station broadcasting Nightvision
- George Bogle's ministry web site