Photo above: It’s all about the grandchildren for Pat and John, now in their 40th year of marriage.
By Mason Beasler, AFA Journal intern
October 2018 – As a child, Pat Montague knew she was guilty, just not that she needed to be saved. It was years later when a Protestant church group in Germany introduced her to her savior, Jesus Christ.
Montague works for American Family Radio and shared with AFA Journal a bit about her life and work.
AFA Journal: What was your childhood like?
Pat Montague: My family was quite dysfunctional. Neither of my parents got past eighth grade, but my father went on to apprentice as a welder. He was very skilled, with certifications in some of the most difficult types. He was also a talented musician and an alcoholic – three aspects that didn’t provide stability. Mom had an engineer’s mind. She could look at a shirt and draw the pattern on newsprint to proper measurements and create a close copy for our school clothes. My older sister was very close, much like a second mom.
AFAJ: How did you come to faith in Christ?
PM: I was churched when I was young because my sister had come to Christ. I went to please my family, but without regeneration it meant nothing. I came to despise the church and began many ungodly pursuits. My husband was active military, and I spent much time alone. But the Lord was plowing the hard ground in my heart. After moving to Germany, I met a woman who invited me to church, and I was soon attending regularly. The ladies in that group led me to Christ in 1988 with a love for Jesus I had never seen before.
AFAJ: Where did you work before AFA?
PM: I first worked as a fryer at Jack-in-the-Box and cleaned house for teachers. I worked as an assistant teacher in several preschools. I was a cashier and a manager for a shop and a bed and breakfast. I was a shift leader in a women’s shelter. I was bookkeeper for a construction agency, thrift shop, and a church. Along with many volunteer positions, I was an account rep for a small travel agency and a ministry assistant for a Baptist church.
AFAJ: How did you learn about AFA?
PM: I heard Don Wildmon on the news around 1978. Later, I followed AFA through a friend who was a supporter, but didn’t make the connection to Don Wildmon from the years earlier. In 1999 my husband John and I moved to Tupelo, and I began listening to AFR. I started work at AFR in 2000 as a weekend on-air personality.
AFAJ: What is your current role at AFR?
PM: I work in the Creative Services department. We write scripts and use audio to create radio spots. We create content specials and produce programming. I fell in love the first time I learned the production software. Suddenly I couldn’t imagine doing anything else. Hearing my content play on the radio feels like nothing else I’ve ever done.
AFAJ: What’s the best thing about your job?
PM: AFA is pro-family and effective because we are family. With God as our Father, we are a body of believers bound by love to Christ, love for His bride, and the desire to impact our culture. I’ve been involved with many other ministries, but none with the missional identity we have at AFA.
AFAJ: How do you spend free time?
PM: When I was young, music was huge for me, when I retreated to when life got difficult. I also like creating jewelry, sketching, painting, sewing, and refinishing furniture. However, I don’t have much time for those any more. Since I’ve become a grandmother, Eliza and Clara are my new passions! 
