Bringing former President George W. Bush to speak.

Launching a national radio ministry.

Holding conferences with thousands attending.

October was a memorable month for evangelist Phil Waldrep and his Decatur-based ministry. Their latest work is expanding the ministry nationwide.

Waldrep had Bush to speak in Sevierville, Tenn., for one of three October senior adult “Celebrators” conferences. Nine thousand people attended the conference featuring Bush, and ticket-holders lined up more than seven hours early to get good seats for the speech Oct. 7, Waldrep said.

“He was so personable,” Waldrep said of Bush. “I was impressed by how well-briefed he was.”

Waldrep said Bush asked about Waldrep’s wife and daughters, calling them by name. Bush grabbed Waldrep’s arm after noticing his Auburn University cuff-links. The president commented that his staff had failed because he was told Waldrep graduated from The University of Alabama. Waldrep explained that he did graduate from Alabama but was a longtime Auburn fan.

“He said, ‘In Texas we shoot people who do that,’ ” Waldrep said.

The address by President Bush was non-political but patriotic and inspiring, Waldrep said.

Former first lady Laura Bush spoke in Branson, Mo., for another “Celebrators” conference and talked about facing Sept. 11 as a mother.

The Bush appearances required close work with the Secret Service for security, extensive background checks and “tons of paperwork,” Waldrep said.

Meanwhile, Waldrep’s “Living with Joy! Radio” started Oct. 5. Waldrep said he researched and planned the daily 25-minute programs for two years. Now they are heard in 46 states on more than 500 stations and translators, the majority through Christian Satellite Network.

Radio outreach

The first person Waldrep featured was Hartselle evangelist Junior Hill who spoke about overcoming discouragement. Waldrep also has interviewed Mark Hall of the Christian band Casting Crowns about his learning disability, Will Graham about the influence of his grandfather Billy Graham, and rape survivor Debbie Morris, author of “Forgiving the Dead Man Walking.” Singer Ronnie Millsap and the son of the late Jerry Falwell are among upcoming guests.

Waldrep has had a successful conference and evangelism ministry for years and sees radio as an extension of that. He said he fell in love with radio at his first job as a DJ on WHIY in Moulton. When he started preaching, he had a Saturday morning program.

“When our conferences started growing larger, I heard people saying, ‘Boy, I could use this (inspiration) every day,’ ” Waldrep said.

He said he wants to give Christians with great messages a platform for their stories and to draw out fresh insight from them for listeners. For instance, in a program to air later, Laura Bush will talk about teachers’ roles in combating terrorism.

White House contact

Contact with the Bush staff started in 2006, Waldrep said. A staffer called to ask if then-President Bush could give a major policy speech on senior adults at a “Celebrators” conference. Waldrep agreed but the White House picked another site that time and also later when the administration made a similar request.

After Bush left office, he wanted to do a few faith-based speeches. Waldrep filled out paperwork to request the president and agreed to security checks. Waldrep said the application somehow ended up on Mrs. Bush’s desk, and then she also wanted to speak. Waldrep gladly obliged.

Waldrep said the cost of having the former president in was not the high corporate rate, but he would not tell the cost. His agreement with President Bush also stipulated no media coverage of the speech. Waldrep said he handled reporters’ questions outside the hall.

Paying for radio

Waldrep said the former president agreed to pose for a fundraiser for Waldrep’s radio ministry. Donors who gave $1,500 were able to meet and get a photo with Bush, Waldrep said.

The radio effort was self-supporting from the start, Waldrep said. He said a consultant laughingly told him he started in radio backward. The model is usually for conferences to follow a radio minister’s success, but Waldrep has offered popular conferences for senior adults, women and others for years.

Waldrep does not know exactly why, but attendance at his conferences doubled this year. Christian ministry may draw more people during bad economic times. Also, new venues for conferences were larger, and the Bushes added to interest, he said.

Waldrep has booked another Christian from the world of politics. Former vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin will speak in Louisville, Ky., for a “Women of Joy” conference in April.

At a glance

Decatur’s Phil Waldrep Ministries: