About
Founded in 1991 and owned & operated by Faith Center, WFEN is Rockford’s ONLY full power, live & local Christian radio station. Known as “The Lighthouse“, WFEN is committed to shining a bright light through our music and ministry.
Founder
Apostle Don Lyon
Apostle Don Lyon has been ministering in the Northern Illinois – Southern Wisconsin territory since March of 1954, when he and his wife, Donna, moved to Rockford, Illinois, where they founded Open Bible Center in the Loves Park and were pastors there for 25 years.
Open Bible Center produced a weekly, 30 minute television program entitled QUEST FOR LIFE. It aired not only locally, but nationwide for 16 years. During that time, God gave Apostle Lyon a vision of a mobile television van, that was able to pull up to live events and film an event on location. This was the first ever to be built and was leased by all three national broadcast networks (ABC, CBS, NBC) to film their live events. Soon those networks built their own based off the one Apostle Lyon had built.
While pastoring at Open Bible, Apostle began the first Christian radio station in Rockford, 100.9 WQFL.
In 1978 Apostle started an interdenominational church, Faith Center International Ministries. During Faith Center’s 42 years of ministry and outreach, in 1991, Apostle Lyon built and started WFEN Radio Station – 88.3. Faith Center enjoys and is growing in these ministries. Children, Youth, Music-Worship, Prayer, Healing School, Prophetic Ministry, Young at Heart Seniors, small groups, feeding our local families, MightyX Men/Women, Young Families/Adults, WFEN Radio, video and audio outreach.
Apostle Lyon is actively involved in the Rockford community and many ministerial organizations. Locally, he is a charter member and past president of the Rotary Club of Loves Park. He started the local organization of Rockford Evangelical Ministers to bring local pastors together in fellowship. He has also served on the board of the National Religious Broadcasters. He serves on the Board of the National Association of Evangelicals. He is an Honorary Member, a member of particular status with the International Coalition of Apostles.
His 69 years of ministry have caused him to be accepted as an apostle and father to many pastors, evangelists and ministry leaders across the globe. He is often introduced as a “pastor to pastors”.
Personalities
Matt Miller
Matt Miller was born and raised just north of the border in Janesville, Wisconsin. Early on, Matt knew that his career calling was radio. At the age of 17, Matt began his career as an intern in Madison, Wisconsin. In 1988, while working evening radio in Rockford, he picked up the nickname Matt Miller “The Rock & Roll Killer”. From there, he made his way through Upper Michigan, northern Wisconsin and is now at home in Rockford.
Matt Miller will spend his weekday mornings with you, beginning at 6:00 on the Stateline’s only live and local, full power contemporary Christian station. The former “Rock & Roll Killer” says, “I am elated with how God has brought me home and blessed me with an opportunity to serve in the field of work that I am passionate about. Please hear the voice of God in all that I do. I will strive to make your mornings a brighter place.”
Fred Tscholl
Fred Tscholl is a graduate of Brown Institute of Broadcasting in Minneapolis, Minnesota and worked at four secular radio stations as an annoucer, news and program director. After finding Christ, he has worked in Christian radio for many years, including his stint as manager of WFEN from 1991 to 2013.
Fred believes in Christian radio as a means of ministry and thinks that broadcast professionalism is an important part of that.
John Tallacksen
John Tallacksen was born and raised right here in Rockford, Illinois. The term “Johnny come lately” (yes, it does exist) applies to him. He had no clue he would ever be on the radio until God opened the door in 2005. If you ever see him in person, he is more than happy to share how that happened. He began hosting Gospel Country on another local Christian station and continued for four years until that station was sold and the format totally changed. Without missing a Saturday, John started with WFEN in March of 2008 and continued for another four years becoming the longest running host of Gospel Country in its history. Now, after an absence of nearly three years, he’s back.
John Tallacksen states, “I am the proverbial kid in the candy store every Saturday morning when I can be with you in Gospel Country from 9 until noon. I can’t wait until we can get together and share this ministry of Southern Gospel music. I also hope to see you at a local concert.”
When not on the radio, you might find John helping emcee a concert, singing with Professions of Faith, running sound for The Assemblymen, or spending time with his family.
1991
Founded
Coming Soon
Podcasts
30K+
Listeners
16K+
Listen Live
Ministry
“For God so loved the world that he gave us his only son, Jesus, and that whoever believes in Him will have a life that lasts for an eternity.” – John 3:16
At WFEN, we believe that the Bible is the inspired word of God, and we welcome the opportunity to share this inspiration with our listeners. If you would like to learn more, please drop us a line: info@wfen.org.