Dr. John DeBrine and Songtime Radio
By Elizabeth Filipe
“When he called me, his deep, gravelly voice reminded me of an older Tom Brokaw.”
Articulate, soft-spoken, and yet remarkably vulnerable, Adam Miller, Songtime radio’s newly instated host, remembered his first encounter with Dr. John DeBrine with not a little affection. With a palpable tone of awe and respect he recounted the story of a man whose clarion voice broke upon sound waves of Christian, radio evangelism more than five decades earlier.
A self-proclaimed “reluctant president and host”, Adam Miller states with certainty that, in linking arms with Songtime’s mission, he is precisely where God would like him to be. Since becoming a board member in October of 2011, the dark-haired New York native has grown to savor the blessings of sitting beneath Dr. DeBrine’s teaching, strengthening a deep friendship over coffee at Dr. DeBrine’s house, and praising God for all the passions they share.
The youthful, ordained pastor and aging broadcaster connect over their desire to see the church of God playing an impactful role in the community. Most of all, the two men share a deep passion for evangelism, embracing Christ’s particular call upon both of them to be, “fishers of men.” At every opportunity, Dr. John DeBrine declared the Gospel message. “And that,” Adam says, “was the first thing that captivated me.”
A Street Called Ruggles
In the hustle and bustle of 1950’s Boston, Dr. John DeBrine began his ministry at Ruggles Street Baptist Church. His hair, now silvery grey, shone brown beneath the church lights as he animatedly spoke the Gospel to urban congregants thirsty for a word of truth. From the beginning, Adam Miller says, “John’s heartbeat was ministry.” His limitless faith in Christ poured out of his sermons and into the hearts of those sitting with uplifted eyes in the pews below. “John has a very type A personality,” Adam says, his voice brightening with the Kingdom victories validating his observation.
Trailblazing
Inevitably, Dr. DeBrine’s energetic evangelism bubbled over the threshold of the Ruggle’s church. Dr. DeBrine’s passion for building a warm bridge of friendship between strangers and himself led to speaking opportunities in churches across New England. Yet, the zealous evangelist saw a marked emptiness in the churches’ outreach: Christian radio. Perhaps others saw it too. Perhaps fathers driving home from a long day at the office, disheartened, flipped through the stations on their car radios and found themselves confronted with a bleak choice between the Rolling Stones’ Let It Bleed and Jimi Hendrix’s Help! Maybe mothers, haggardly pressing towards the image of the Proverbs 31 woman, longed for something other than shows like Yours Truly, Johnny Dollar to calm her baby’s bedtime screams. Yet, for Christians, the radio landscape was bleak. Dr. DeBrine, however, sprang to action. “Even then, he was a trailblazer,” Adam Miller says.
“The First Christian DJ”
When Jesus remarked, “Faith comes by hearing, and hearing of the Word of God,”Dr. DeBrine took those words to heart. The Northeast, he knew, wrestled in a unique way with the progressive liberalism stoking the flames of the sixties’ penchant for “liberation”. Christians, caught in the uproar, needed the invigorating pulsation of audible truth to fill their ears and combat the chaos. Dr. John vowed to create a radio station which would beam Christian music into the cars and living rooms of Christians throughout New England and the Northeast.
And he wasn’t afraid to start small. “John started broadcasting out of a broom closet in the Ruggles Street church,” Adam laughed. Undaunted by the clutter of Windex, mops, and dusty brooms around him, John began to gather and broadcast a line-up of Christian songs. As Amazing Grace, Silent Night, and the hand-lifted strains of worship music sang into New England, Christian fathers finally smiled on their way home from work; mothers breathed in relief and soaked up the soothing notes. And always, punctuating the music, was the deep gravelly voice of John DeBrine hosting the program he came to call “Songtime USA.” In turn, his little band of listeners called him, “the first Christian DJ.”
“You May Say That I’m A Dreamer, But I’m not the Only One.”
As time passed, Dr. John chose a unique broadcasting format, alternating between music and teaching. He interviewed preachers, teachers, and staunch champions of the faith, bringing their wisdom and stories straight from padded microphones into the homes of his audience. He even broadcasted the stirring sounds of the Billy Graham Crusades. In 1964, Dr. DeBrine concluded his active pastorate at Ruggles Street Baptist Church to devote himself full-time to his radio ministry.
“John always operated out of the mindset that, if others could spread the gospel more effectively than he could, he would give them the platform,” says Adam. “He was aware of his talents and abilities and used them passionately, but he never sought the limelight.”
Since Dr. DeBrine understood that the task of filling the air with Christ’s truth couldn’t be accomplished by one man alone, he continually outsourced, acquiring experienced and godly radio interviewees. He drew upon the wisdom of mission-minded luminaries such as seminary professor Steve Brown, singer Steve Green and author-theologian Ravi Zacharias as well as hosts of quiet yet mighty warriors across the country.
“He was always so sure of his goals and passions,” Adam says of Dr. DeBrine. Yet, in his supernatural dream to capture the radio world for Christ, Dr. John deeply understood that, in the words of John Lennon, he was “not the only one.”
He Found Friends On Street Corners
Decades passed. Dr. DeBrine’s ministry exploded beyond the broom closet. He set up Songtime USA’s official broadcasting station in Yarmouth Port on Cape Cod, MA. Never marrying, Dr. John’s love affair with Jesus Christ continued to deepen and expand. His warmth and affection for each and every human being overflowed, touching cashiers at Stop & Shop and pharmacists at the drugstore alike. “He always had drivers,” shares Adam Miller. “Most of them were young men he’d met at the grocery store.”
True to form, Dr. DeBrine found opportunities to spread the Gospel in creative, unexpected ways. He forged lasting friendships with the young men in the driver’s seat of his car, carried on faithful correspondence with friends he’d met years earlier, and often bonded with New Englander’s over his own passion for the Boston Red Sox. As a Chaplain for the Red Sox, he often had extra tickets, and eagerly shared them with strangers. “Let’s go to a game,” he’d say, and the platform of hard stadium seats to speak to his companions of Jesus’ love for them.
Dr. DeBrine exhibited unique openness, not only during a friendly conversation with the librarian behind the desk, but also with the listeners on the other side of his microphone. “He would give his personal phone number over the air,” says Adam. “He was, and is, so accessible.” Not only did he give his number between songs, interviews, and god-centered teachings, but he would answer.
Faith With A Strong Signal
For half a century, Dr. John used Songtime USA to reach the nation, from Vermont to Louisiana, from Maine to Pennsylvania. He set the groundwork for Songtime’s current mission, devoted to sharing, “His power to save man from sin; the new birth through the regeneration of the Holy Spirit; and the gift of Eternal Life by the Grace of God.”
When he fell and broke his hip, Dr. John Debrine’s broadcasting career came to a close. At the age of 80, the evangelist-patriarch retired, leaving the sound of his deep, comforting voice in the homes of thousands of Americans. In a video tribute, Dr. Ravi Zacharias said, “We cannot thank you enough. God bless you.”
At this point, Adam Miller, a zealous young pastor from upstate New York answered persistent phone calls from the retiring broadcaster. “At first, I was reluctant,” admits Adam. “But once I saw Dr. DeBrine’s vision and heart, I was captivated.” For the last two years, Adam Miller has served as President and Weekday Host of Songtime USA.
Bringing The World A Song
Now nearly completely homebound, Dr. DeBrine continues to meticulously maintain his appearance. “He always has a new shirt when he goes out. His pants are creased. He loves the color lavender,” Adam smiles. Dr. DeBrine’s latest German Shepherd, Leo, serves as a faithful companion to the wiry old man. Now confined mostly to his home, he continues to unearth opportunities to make friends. “He doesn’t know how to use the internet, but he asked someone to go on Craig’s List and post an ad for dog walkers.” He doesn’t need more than one, of course, but why miss out on the chance to meet more people, he says? Brilliantly, the elderly man with peppery hair draws the world to him, even when he cannot go out to the world.
“When I think of the word song in our company’s name,” Songtime’s young, new host remarks, “I am not thinking only of the musical concept, but of the message we Christians share.” When asked how Christians in New England can sing their song with clarity and power, he answered as Dr. DeBrine would, ”Their best ministry is the worship they give to Christ through their voice and life.”
As Dr. John DeBrine completes 50 years of ministry, he leaves a remarkable legacy of faith, one that trumpets so that others might hear, believe, and refresh their faith, one song and one interview at a time.
Songtime can be heard just about anywhere, whenever you find time to listen. In Rhode Island, Songtime airs on AM 1590 WARV and in Boston, AM 590 WEZE and 950 WROL. The program is also aired daily on the Cape at WRYP 90.1 FM/88.3 FM. For additional radio listings, information about Songtime and Dr. DeBrine or to listen online, please visit their website at www.songtime.com.
Caption: John DeBrine and Barney broadcasting from home in Barnstable, MA
GOD Bless you, brother John.
You came to mind today, so looked up your name and here we are….let me refresh your memory,although you have always been “sharp as a tack” remembering. I listened to you every morning driving to work in RI on WARV. First met you at a church meeting in Cranston, RI. As time went on, I worked in New Bedford for a durable medical equipment company and I always remember you saying, if your treating for lunch or dinner, I’ll accept. One day I had to go to the Cape on business for my job and called the station and Marge answered and I asked for you. She said you left early and were at home and she proceeded to give me your home phone number. Needless to say, I was shocked when you answered and we eventually did go out to dinner. Thank you for dinner that night. This happened at least 20 years ago. I have since moved to Saco, Maine…I enjoy it but miss Mass and RI. Just had my 78 birthday and Thank God, in good health.
I pray you are in good health, too. It’s been a blessing and pleasure making contact with you, John. In Christ, Joe B
My local Jail has a ministry for women that I volunteer at. An Old Bible that was donated had this pamphlet by you, “What To Do After Birth..an outline of the Book of Ephesians. It was Sponsor Book No. 48. Is there any chance that I could get more? If not could I have permission to make copies? I also correct the “Good News Prison and Jail Ministry ” the inmates do. Would love to get a copy of this into their hands.
Because He lives,
Edith Housel
Hi Edith,
Thanks for your comment about Dr Debrine. I’m not sure if you are speaking about a pamphlet you found from Dr Debrine or from the Good News Today? If you are trying to get permission to copy anything of his you’ll have to contact his ministry directly at this website address. http://www.songtime.com/
If you want permission to use the Good News Today in your prison ministry that is not a problem. We can get copies to you if you live somewhere local? Just give us a call at your convenience and I will be happy to help out.
Hello I was wondering what the names and the song name are of the people that played on the airing of July 6th, 2017. My husband and I have been blessed by your recording daily over the past year! Thank you for blessing the world with your songs..could I make a suggestion… that you mention the name of the artist and song at the end of the recording!!!