Don Kroah knew how to use his voice, in the pulpit and on the airwaves. For six decades, that curious, compassionate, and energetic voice changed countless lives for the better. Today, its silence is deafening.
Don served for 34 years in full-time pastoral ministry in New England. During those years, he also worked as a radio news anchor, reporter, political commentator, and general-market radio talk show host. Then, in October of 1997, WAVA-FM/Arlington began airing a new evening talk program called The Don Kroah Show. It would become one of the longest-running local Christian talk shows in the DC market—27 years, with national syndication in the later years.
The radio show Don hosted was an opportunity for him to influence culture by reaching a wider audience than those who were seated in church pews. “In our fast-changing world, it can be difficult to sort through the issues of the day. From family to faith to the latest in the public square—it’s hard to stay up on what’s happening, much less interpret the news in a way that honors our Christian faith,” said Don, whose show helped listeners navigate the complexities of modern life from a faith-forward posture. “I try to remind myself that it’s not my microphone,” he added. “It’s the Lord’s.”
Don was particularly committed to raising awareness for the persecuted church around the world. In a 2021 article published by Baptistpress.com, he remarked, “The persecuted church in general has been a passion of mine ever since I’ve been in the ministry but especially coming to the Washington area with such a big platform to speak to that issue. We have a profound obligation to the suffering church.”
21Wilberforce knows first-hand of Don’s commitment to the suffering church. Every Monday for five years, listeners tuned in at 5 pm to hear Don host us as his guest to share updates and stories about religious freedom challenges and global persecution in far-off places like Cuba, Vietnam, Darfur, China, Russia, Afghanistan, Africa, India, North Korea, and more. Most striking was Don’s call to action after every interview. He understood that we cannot remain silent about the discrimination and persecution of people of faith around the world.
Former 21Wilberforce President Randel Everett shared, “I was privileged to share many opportunities with Don Kroah and will miss conversations with him. His program kept us informed about issues relevant to our faith and I was fortunate to be a guest several times. I also am grateful to have preached at his church on two occasions. I saw Don, the bigger-than-life radio host, serving as a shepherd for his flock that loved and respected him.”
Don hosted many discussions over the years about Christian persecution. One such program in 2021 earned Don a first-place prize for Best Documentary or Public Affairs Program at the Virginia Association of Broadcasters. It featured an interview with former Virginia Congressman Frank Wolf regarding Christian genocide in Nigeria.
“I was saddened to hear of Don Kroah’s passing,” said Wolf. “I appreciate all of the work Don has done to shine a light on religious freedom issues around the world and here in the U.S. I was honored many times to be a guest on his show.”
The Don Kroah Show won numerous other national and local awards. One that stands out was a Radio Broadcaster Award presented to Don in 2010 for his unwavering dedication and commitment to the people of South Sudan.
Another of Don’s frequent guests was Stephen Enada, Executive President of the International Committee on Nigeria, who recalls Don’s willingness to tackle the most difficult topics. “When the news media refused to relay religious persecution in Nigeria and the Lake Chad Region to the American audience, it took the audacity of Pastor Don Kroah of WAVA Christian radio to bring the attention of the West to the egregious atrocities against the Christian community and minority groups in Nigeria.” Enada counts it a privilege to have known Pastor Kroah: “I am grateful for the opportunity that he gave me to share my story, Nigeria’s story, with his thousands of listeners. He will be missed.”
Despite success in the radio business over the years, Don viewed his broadcast work as supplemental to his ministry. “I feel the two most important areas of ministry are to strengthen churches and to encourage their pastors; they’re the change agents in their cultures,” he said. To that end, Don founded a non-profit in 2001 called “Reach Africa Now” that focused on equipping and training pastors. He visited the continent frequently to speak and minister, primarily in Nigeria and Tanzania.
In 2014 Don answered the call to be Interim Pastor of Plymouth Haven Baptist Church in Alexandria, Virginia. He later accepted the role of Senior Pastor there. His last sermon, which he preached on December 29, 2024, can be heard here.
A few years ago, Don told SBC News, “My primary calling is that of a pastor. But my vocation, as well as what the Lord has assigned me, is broadcasting. I think the two have served each other well in terms of the body of Christ and how we’ve been able to work.”
Rev. Elijah Brown, General Secretary and CEO of the Baptist World Alliance and a frequent guest on The Don Kroah Show would agree: “Whether on the radio, pastoring a church, or serving the community, Don Kroah was a powerful voice for the marginalized who mobilized hundreds of thousands to live generously with Gospel discipleship beyond themselves.”