About Us
Technology Serving Christ
We, at Faith and Friends, based in Dayton, Ohio, recognize the importance of leveraging technology, such as internet radio, to spread our message globally. We prioritize live broadcasts and community engagement, using state-of-the-art facilities and equipment.
Our co-founder, Melody Morris, emphasizes the relational aspect of our programming, aiming to emulate Jesus’ personal ministry. Veteran broadcaster Bill Nance highlights our careful selection of music, with the aim of uplifting and inspiring listeners.
Our programming focuses on biblical truths and aims to be thought-provoking. We’ve adapted to changes in listening habits by offering online streaming accessible through various devices and apps, allowing us to reach globally at a fraction of traditional costs.
Faith and Friends Radio has now achieved worldwide coverage.
HISTORY
Faith and Friends, a broadcast outreach of Wells Of Salvation Ministries, was founded in 1979 by Dr. Edmund E. Wells. Recognizing the growing importance of internet and technology, we launched Faithandfriendsradio.com in 2011. In 2014, we became the first internet-based radio station on the iHeart Radio Network. Our foresight proved accurate as by 2015, more people listened to radio online than through traditional means.
Our Broadcast Center
Faith and Friends is broadcast from a stand-alone state-of-the-art Broadcast Center in Dayton, Ohio.
OUR Mission
Harnessing the world’s technology to reach the world for Christ…
Faith and Friends is a 24/7 broadcast outreach of Wells Of Salvation Ministries. WOS was founded in 1979 by Dr. Edmund E. Wells, utilizing the spoken Word, the Word in song, and has from the beginning utilized radio airwaves as one means of spreading God’s Good News.
Meet the Team
Bill Nance, Co-Founder
Monday – Friday, 6 to 9 a.m. on “New Day With Bill & Melody”
Bill Nance is a 50 plus year veteran of radio and television broadcasting. He is the recipient of more than 50 state, regional and national awards for journalistic broadcast excellence. Bill has served in Christian radio since 1989 as a Program Director and morning show host. He was inducted into the Dayton Area Broadcasters Hall Of Fame in 2007. Bill is active in his local church and with charitable organizations. He resides in the greater Dayton area with wife Carol. Together they have two adult children and 7 grandchildren. Bill is also an avid collector of Coke memorabilia.
Melody Morris, Co-Founder
Monday – Friday, 6 to 9 a.m. on “New Day With Bill & Melody”
Melody Morris has a business degree from Wittenberg University. She has led a professional career in management and public presentation positions since 1977, with more than three decades in television and radio broadcasting. Her hobbies include biking, music, and loving on three huge Newfoundlands. She has anchored morning-drive news since 1999 and co-founded Faith And Friends Radio in 2011. Melody and her husband Bob live in the Dayton area and have two grown daughters and three grandchildren. Her hobbies include biking, music, and loving on three huge Newfoundlands.
Pete Vecchi
Monday – Friday 9 a.m. to Noon
“Faith And Friends At Work”
Pete Vecchi has 30+ years in Christian ministry. He gave his life to Christ while a music major at Valparaiso University and immediately began to use his gift and talent for the Lord. Pete was called into the preaching ministry in 1993 while on a missions trip to Russia with Josh McDowell’s ministry. He was ordained by the Church of the Nazarene in 1999. He and his wife Melody have 2 sons and one daughter, and 4 grandchildren.
Madison Taylor
Monday – Friday Noon to 3 p.m.
“Faith And Friends At Work”
If you’ve ever attended a Dayton Dragons game, you most likely have seen Madison Taylor. She is the Entertainment Host for the in-between the innings fun at Fifth Third Field. And she’s also the mid-day radio host here at Faith And Friends. Madison has a radio background, serving at stations in Middletown and North Carolina. Madison resides in the Middletown area and has four children and 2 grandchildren.
Stan Ellingson
Monday – Friday 3 – 6 p.m. – “Homeward Bound”
Stan Ellingson has been in Christian broadcasting since 1978 and has served the Dayton/Cincinnati market since 1986 as afternoon drive host. Stan was born in Cincinnati and through the years has obtained 3 degrees from Liberty University and Liberty Theological Seminary. He has pastored 3 churches over a 16 year period and has served on-staff at East Dayton Christian School since 2003 and as Assistant Principal since 2005. Stan has been married to wife Jan since 1981, and together, they have 4 children and 8 grandchildren. Stan is an avid fan of the Bengals, the Reds, and the Buckeyes. He also enjoys working in his yard.
Bob Morris, Chief Engineer & Co-Founder
Bob Morris has logged 40+ years of sound and recording experience, including proficiency with 4-track analog to current digital recording systems. He has produced projects for individuals, medium and large groups – in-studio and on-location. Bob has majored in audio post-production work for radio, engineering and producing over 1,000 programs for broadcast in the United States as well as overseas. Over the past decade, Bob has recorded hundreds of live, on-location radio variety programs, completing the post-production mixdown/mastering work for a national award-winning live variety show. He is a co-founder of the radio station, and in addition to upgrading and maintaining all the equipment and technology, Bob also owns and operates his own professional sound recording studio. He resides in the Dayton area with wife Melody. Together they have two grown daughters and three grandchildren.
Rick Smith, Administrator Sales
Rick Smith is a retired Pastor with over 35 years service. After serving in a volunteer capacity, he officially joined the Faith And Friends staff in January of 2024.
He was born and raised in NJ, not far from the “Jersey Shore.” Rick has always had a sincere interest in music. He attended Philadelphia College of Bible and was ordained in 1987. He has pastored churches in NJ, NY, and Ohio. He and his wife Cheryl met and were married in 1988. They live in the Dayton, Ohio area and have 3 grown children who also live in Dayton.