Artist Vignette

ARTIST VIGNETTE

RICH MONTEITH
Station Manager KMBI Radio

Born in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, I was raised in a Christian family and accepted the Lord at age 13 while attending Cocollala Lake Bible Camp. After graduation from Kellogg High School in 1981, I enrolled at Inland Empire School of the Bible, currently Moody Bible Institute, Spokane, Washington, and planned on attending one year. The Lord had other ideas though, and three years later, I graduated with a three year degree in Biblical studies.

            While attending I.E.S.B. and having an interest in radio, I and two of my friends began an ‘in-house’ radio station at the school, operating from the janitor’s closet. Word got out to KMBI station manager Gary Leonard and I was offered an internship at KMBI in Spokane, my final year at I.E.S.B. On-the-job training proved to be excellent preparation for my part-time duties from 1984-86. In 1986, I was offered a full-time position as evening announcer.

            Over the next ten years, I worked a variety of shifts and was promoted to Assistant Manager in November, 1997, and by God’s grace, Station Manager in July, 2002.
            My duties at KMBI have included spot and program production, hosting live call-ins, computer generated programming, public affairs interviews, basketball play-by-play and other numerous responsibilities. I continue to be involved in outreach to the community, seeing first hand how the Lord is changing lives through the radio ministry.

            In September of 2002, I was truly faced with the reality of how quickly life can change. My wife of almost twenty years announced that she would be leaving the marriage and filing for divorce. My safe, organized, well planned world came to a screeching halt. How could the Lord allow this to happen? Doesn’t He realize I’ve given Him 20 years of service? His still small voice reminded me that His grace is sufficient for me, even in the midst of this tragedy. I fought for my marriage to the difficult end, but to no avail.
            Life had certainly changed but the Lord knew my pain, understood my groanings and now had many things to teach me that He could not otherwise. I would not wish divorce on my worst enemy, but would never trade the lessons He has taught me over the last four years.

            What a loving and gracious God we serve.

Post Script: Rich and his three children, Angela, Joshua and Allicia currently reside in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. They are involved in ministry at Real Life Ministries in Post Falls, Idaho.

Rich remains as Station Manager at KMBI in Spokane, Washington.