DJ brings spiritual message to the masses

February 23, 2008

By TERRY LEE GOODRICH

Star-Telegram staff writer

Perkins

When David Perkins of Fort Worth felt the call to preach as an 18-year-old Marine, he dodged it.

"I went the other way, like Jonah in the Bible," said Perkins, 70, referring to the Bible character who wound up in a whale's stomach after refusing to deliver God's message.

But Perkins -- a former computer programmer and a disc jockey for stations in Fort Worth, Dallas and New York -- finally is preaching.

On Feb. 18, he marked his first year as an interdenominational preacher on The Jesus Christ Said program. It airs at 12:30 p.m. Sundays on Christian radio station KKGM/1630 AM in Fort Worth.

He is not paid for doing the show; he pays to do it, Perkins said.

After retiring from computer programming in 2001, Perkins -- aka "Charlie Brown" when he worked for WBAP/820 AM Fort Worth/Dallas -- contacted radio stations, asking for 30 minutes weekly to preach on the air, but there were no takers, he said.

He found a home at KKGM. He has spent more than $10,000 to air the program.

"It's been worth it," Perkins said. "I don't know how to sermonize, but I like to talk about the love of God and hone in on Jesus' messages like 'Love your enemy.'"

Perkins' ministry shows his faith and commitment, said his preacher, the Rev. Jerry Chism of Arlington Heights Methodist Church.

"You don't have to fit a stereotype to reach out to people," Chism said.

Perkins is "a very easy learner," said KKGM program director Paul Hughes. "He worked in the days of analog instead of digital, but he's been able to adapt. He's very personable. Comments from listeners have been good."

Perkins closes each program with a recorded hymn."I'm a living example that it's never too late to answer God's call," he said.

ONLINE: www.jesuschristsaid.com

David Perkins

Age: 70

Education: Attended Arlington Heights High School in Fort Worth and the University of Houston

Occupation: Radio minister

Family: wife, Pat Perkins; three children

tgoodrich@star-telegram.com
TERRY LEE GOODRICH, 817-685-3812