Former Indianapolis and K-LOVE radio host Mike Kankelfritz is back — just not on K-LOVE

CLOSE

There's lots of "yelling and screaming" for country musicians when they hear their own song on the radio for the first time. Artists at a recent BMI event recall their special moments. (Jan. 10) AP

Fans of Indianapolis radio host and former K-LOVE morning show co-host Mike Kankelfritz have been wondering if they would hear his voice again.

Your prayers have been answered, Christian radio listeners. Kankelfritz is returning to radio.

However, his return won't be with K-LOVE, and he won't be in Indianapolis.

K-LOVE's parent company, Education Media Foundation, is headquartered in California, but it started a second primary hub with K-LOVE's morning show in Indianapolis in 2009 to be more visible to the public across the country.

EMF Vice President of Radio Randy Chase confirmed Kankelfritz left K-LOVE in early November, according to Christian Music Broadcasters. 

A Friday press release from Family Life Radio said Kankelfritz will be filling the role of program director and afternoon on-air host for FLR based in Tucson, Ariz.

The Carmel resident, along with his wife, Becky, and two children, will be moving to Tucson to work out of the FLR headquarters.

“Mike’s professional and personal reputation testifies to his faithful love and care for God’s people,” said Sally Barton, FLR’s chief broadcast engagement officer. “We see God’s timing in the journey that brought Mike and his family to us, and we’re eager to see him use his extensive experience and creativity to share the message of hope in Christ.”

According to FLR, the station reaches more than 17 million people through 40 broadcast stations across the country. The listener-supported station has been on air for more than 50 years.

FLR doesn't have a broadcast station in Indiana, but Kankelfritz fans can still tune in to hear his new show online.

An exact start time for Kankelfritz's afternoon show hasn't been established but, according to FLR, he will be participating in events and launching his on-air program in the coming months.

“The Family Life Radio team felt like family from the minute I walked in the door,” Kankelfritz said.

“When I learned that the backbone of this network came from Dr. Randy Carlson’s vision of intentional living, I realized that his principles were already a part of my DNA. I am so excited to help more people connect to God in a deeper way through this amazing ministry of Family Life Radio.”

Kankelfritz, a Seattle native, is a graduate of John Brown University and has more than 28 years of radio experience. His career began with stints in country, rock and light rock stations before transitioning to Christian radio.

In 2003, Kankelfritz started a nearly three-year run in his first Christian morning radio show with KXOJ out of Tulsa, Okla. He followed up with a six-year stint at KSBJ in Houston in 2005.

Kankelfritz came to Indianapolis in 2011 ending a nearly six-year run as a morning show co-host at K-LOVE in November.