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Photo (5/19/2024) courtesy of KFUO Radio, St. Louis, Missouri
(St. Louis, Missouri, October 14, 2024) He began as speaker on the brief daily syndicated “thought for the day” radio program, By The Way, in 1974 and continues to be the speaker to this day – on the air for fifty years and for more than 18,000 consecutive days. Known only as “Paul” on the program, the voice of Dr. Paul Devantier has been broadcast on radio stations throughout the United States and beyond, and through websites and podcasts, as well.
The programs are recorded in advance, then produced, dated, and sent to radio stations. Paul has recorded a message for every single day since 1974. He recalls that his early programs were distributed to radio stations on long-play record albums. From record albums to tapes, to CDs. Today, programs are sent to stations directly via the Internet. In addition to radio and website programs, five By The Way books have been published – the most recent in 2020.
Listeners from many places including as far away as Russia have sent notes to Paul – notes such as: “Thank you for what has become a great resource for me.” “I am so thankful for your messages. I've been listening since the late 80's on a local station, and now on my desktop every morning, first thing. I wouldn't start my day without your devotional, Paul. May God bless you!!” “I thoroughly enjoy your broadcast. It brightens my day.“ “I wish to thank you so much for your beautiful words of comfort and love that we all need to hear. I’ve listened to you for many, many years and look forward to your message each day.”
Being the speaker has never been a “formal” or full-time position. For Paul it has been a “pleasant sideline.” He has held a number of executive positions during his long career and has always managed to keep writing, editing, and recording By The Way. He says, “By The Way has been a way to express my faith and the love I have had since childhood for God’s gift of radio.”
Devantier got his first radio job as a disc jockey in his hometown of Wausau, Wisconsin. After graduating from Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, Missouri as a Lutheran Pastor he became General Manager of radio stations KFUO and KFUO-FM in St. Louis. From there he became Executive Director of Communications for the Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod. During this time, he headed efforts in a nine-year litigation to defend religious freedom in broadcasting. The effort was successful, ending in a landmark ruling by a Federal Appeals Court. Also, he headed a national program in Washington, DC, funded by the United States Congress, to encourage adoption. He ended his full-time career as a Senior Vice President at Concordia Seminary.
He and his wife, Ellen, currently live in Appleton, Wisconsin. They have five children and nine grandchildren. Also, during their marriage they have been foster parents to more than eighty foster children.
History
- The daily radio program was first introduced in 1956. From its inception, it was intended to be a brief devotional thought for the day. To date, the program has been on the air for more than 24,000 consecutive days;
- During its tenure, it was heard on as many as 500 radio stations;
- Originally known as Portals of Prayer, its name changed to By The Way in the 1980s, and the name is a registered trademark;
- It was introduced, produced, and distributed by KFUO Radio in St. Louis, Missouri;
- During its first 18 years, four different speakers served as the voice of the program. Since that time, Paul has been the speaker;
- It was distributed initially to radio stations on long-play vinyl record albums; Today it is distributed to radio stations, individuals, websites, and podcasts online;
- The first By The Way book was published in 1991. Since that time 4 additional books have been published.
About Paul
Paul’s first radio job was right out of high school at a local radio station in his hometown of Wausau, Wisconsin. During college, seminary, and graduate school he continued to work part-time in radio, though never intending or imagining he would be involved in radio the rest of his life. BY THE WAY has been an effort of Paul’s in addition to other full-time positions.
During his career, he has managed radio stations, been a Pastor, served in a number of executive positions in the church, and was National Director of a program authorized by Congress to promote adoption. Also, he led an effort in a nine-year legal battle to successfully preserve religious freedom in broadcasting.
Paul is a native of Wisconsin, a part of God’s creation he dearly loves. He was a fairly accomplished water-skier, a not-so-accomplished golfer, a do-it-yourselfer, and he enjoyed trail-biking, and spending time with his family.
Paul and his wife, Ellen, have five children and, during their marriage, have been foster parents, primarily for infants, for more than 80 children. They lived their adult lives in St. Louis and Washington DC. He is so grateful for all the opportunities he has had and continues to treasure the chance to be with listeners every day through BY THE WAY.
About the By the Way organization
From its early days, BY THE WAY was a production of KFUO Radio in St. Louis. In 2013 it became an independent ministry. By The Way, Incorporated is a 501(c3) charitable organization that depends upon voluntary, tax-deductible gifts. It is operated by a five-member board. Board members volunteer their time and effort to manage the work of BY THE WAY.