Remembered warriors and new paths into old territories, that well describes this week’s Decency Minutes.
Nationally, we fondly remember trail blazers like Davey Crockett and Daniel Boone, or our founding fathers; we admire their courage as they stepped into the unknown and were willing to take chances. We don’t often think about the fact that there must have been those who thought them foolish; we’re grateful for their blazed trails, unselfish sacrifices, and focused goals. The same can be said for those trailblazers of the faith: men called by God and empowered by His Spirit to stand boldly, moving the torch of Truth forward into their time and culture, regardless the price they would pay. Such men as John Huss, Martin Luther, William Tyndale, John Calvin, and John Wesley don’t even scratch the surface of our faithful, spiritually trailblazing forefathers.
In Don Wildmon we have a contemporary trailblazer that stood boldly while bringing righteousness and decency into our culture, particularly where television and media were concerned. Without concern for himself or his own reputation he addressed the holy and the profane. In other words, he was pointed in his addressing media moguls like Disney and many others who attacked the American family through television, as well as speaking plainly and pungently into the church with articles like my favorite: And 300,000 Pulpits Were Silent. (More on this following the Decency Minute scripts.)
As our second Decency Minute details, Bill Johnson (who worked closely with Don Wildmon) will be taking a new path into the old territory of sin’s pervasiveness into the American culture – looking at it in deep and wide ways. He will begin podcasting, bringing American Decency’s message into our culture in a new venue, for us. We are excited about this opportunity and trust that you’ll help us spread the word.
Come Learn the History of ADA With This Don Wildmon Doc
Did you know that I, Bill Johnson, was once a state director for the American Family Association. Yes, indeed – I was ministering in that position between 1987-1999.
I have only a few persons that I would call a hero. Don Wildmon is one of those. I mention that because we are excited to bring to our area the documentary that you have heard AFR promote. Culture Warrior: Don Wildmon and the Battle for Decency. Yes. Indeed! We will be presenting this documentary of Don Wildmon on Thursday, Feb. 13 at 2:00 PM. I personally, too, will be taking a few minutes to tell you of some battles and victories that we fought together here in Michigan and taking a few minutes for a brief time of Q and A. Again, that’s the showing of the documentary Culture Warrior: Don Wildmon and the Battle for Decency showing in Fremont, MI at ADA headquarters, Thursday, Feb. 13 at 2 pm – 203 E. Main.
For further details about the documentary showing go to www.americandecency.org.
If you’ve enjoyed listening to these radio broadcasts and wondered what a longer show from us might sound like, I’ve got some good news for you.
The American Decency Association is launching a podcast! We’re still in the early stages of planning, but listen for more information on this radio station, or keep an eye on AmericanDecency.org for more announcements.
I’m looking forward to sharing conversations with guests, devotional thoughts, news stories, and a Biblical perspective on the news of the day.
We’ll talk with experts like Trevor Loudon, Frank Gaffney, Kevin Freeman, Stephen Black, and M.D. Perkins, discuss the efforts of the Trump administration, and explore the church’s role in affecting civil society for the glory of God.
I hope you’ll keep your eyes and ears open for more information in the weeks ahead, and that you’ll consider joining me for my new podcast, coming soon!
Here’s a special invitation for listeners of AFR! Join us for the film Culture Warrior which documents the life and ministry of Don Wildmon, the founder of AFR and one of America’s first cultural warriors.
Don Wildmon worked tirelessly to exert Christian influence upon American television, fought the harmful effects of pornography upon American families, and was used by God to convict Christians to guard their hearts and minds. Culture Warrior: Don Wildmon and the Battle for Decency tells the story of the fight and the fighter – and calls for a new generation to follow in Don’s footsteps to become today’s cultural warriors.
Join us for the film Culture Warrior on Thursday, February 13 at 2:00 p.m. at American Decency Association, 203 East Main Street in Fremont. That’s Thursday at 2:00, 203 East Main in Fremont. Go to www.americandecency.org for more information.
Below is an excerpt taken from David Reagan’s article Donald Wildmon A Voice Crying for Decency, published by Lion & Lamb Ministries. The whole of this article will give you a good taste of who Don Wildmon was and how God will use anyone who is willing to put God above self, regardless of cost.
Secular critics were not the ones that bothered Wildmon the most. Rather, what really disturbed him were the critical messages he received from pastors. He told me personally about this one time, but he also wrote rather frequently about it in his opinion column that appeared in each issue of the AFA Journal.
Wildmon experienced disappointment with pastors from the very beginning. When he first came up with the idea of turning off TV for a week, he thought it would be easy to get thousands involved by appealing to pastors to rally their congregations. But his appeals, even within his own denomination, were met with stony silence. This prompted him to start talking about 300,000 silent pulpits in America:
“Today, 4,000 innocent precious lives of unborn babies were snuffed out… And 300,000 pulpits are silent… The networks make a mockery of Christians, the Christian faith and Christian values with nearly every show they air. Greed, materialism, violence, sexual immorality are standard fare. Program after program, movie after movie contains anti–Christian episodes and plots. News articles condescendingly refer to the ‘fundamentalists, right–wing Christians.’ Those who speak out for the sacredness of life are branded as extremists. And 300,000 pulpits are silent.
“What important matters are being dealt with in our churches? The church bulletin says there will be a meeting to plan the church–wide supper. We are raising money for a new floor cover in the kitchen. (The old one doesn’t match the new stove and refrigerator — we must deal with important things first.) The sermon subject last Sunday was ‘How To Have a Positive Attitude.’ And best of all — we are organizing a softball team.”
Needless to say, these negative portrayals of apathetic pastors did not endear Wildmon to them. As his exposure level continued to rise in the press, many pastors began to send him critical messages. A typical one would read: “You are just spinning your wheels. Things have gotten much worse since you started speaking out. You are not winning.” Wildmon’s response was one that I loved: “God didn’t call me to win. He called me to stand. We will not win until Jesus returns.”
Regarding his secular critics and their characterization of him as a “country bumpkin,” Wildmon has responded by pointing out that the reason that image has been applied to him is “because that’s the way we [Christian leaders] are portrayed on television.” With regard to the condemnations he has received from secular spokesmen, Wildmon has said, “I praise God for it! I consider their condemnations to be a high honor. It means I’m doing my job right.”
It’s my hope that this extract will whet your appetite and that you’ll join us for the showing of the documentary Culture Warrior: Don Wildmon and the Battle for Decency, showing in Fremont at ADA headquarters, Thursday, Feb. 13 at 2 pm – 203 E. Main.
To view this article in your browser, Click Here
For more information, articles and newsletters, please check out our website at https://americandecency.org/
You can support ADA financially by visiting: https://give.cornerstone.cc/americandecency
Call us:
231-924-4050Email us:
info@americandecency.orgWrite us:
American Decency AssociationCopyright 2025 American Decency
A Special Invitation