Landon Saunders Documents

Landon Brady Saunders was born July 26, 1937, in Charleston, West Virginia. He earned degrees from Freed-Hardeman University and Harding University (1959), and attended Harding School of Theology (1961-63).

A primary speaker for the international Herald of Truth ministry – along with Dr. Batsell Barrett Baxter, Harold Hazelip, and Joe Barnett – he was traveling in India in 1970 when invited by Herald of Truth CEO Clois Fowler to create “a daily radio program for those outside religious walls.” He said that invitation “connected with something very deep within me. It connected to the vision that I most wanted: to say something to the world.”

In 1971 Saunders began serving as president of Heartbeat Inc. and for many years, hosted its popular “Heartbeat” short-form program heard by millions worldwide on the NBC, CBS and Armed Forces radio networks. Its headquarters were later relocated to Houston, Texas, and then to New York City. Heartbeat and Saunders's communication style focused on reaching those outside the traditional church environment by speaking to basic human needs and eventually point them toward biblical solutions.

Prior to launching Heartbeat, Saunders served as a minister for Churches of Christ in Tennessee, Arkansas and Texas. In Abilene, he preached at Minter Lane Church of Christ.

In addition to Saunders's radio, TV, and film work, he was a much sought after public speaker. He lectured and conducted workshops for the general public, professional groups, businesses, and churches in the United States and abroad. His messages on solving problems of interpersonal communication, self-evaluation, and coping with personal crises drew praise from corporate executives, college administrators, service organizations, and religious leaders.

Saunders passed away in Virginian on Nov. 14, 2023. Before his death, he donated his personal papers and Heartbeat’s corporate records to ACU’s Brown Library. The Landon Saunders Collection in the Center for Restoration Studies consists of speech transcripts, sermon notes, photographs, books, training materials, personal correspondence, organizational records, and other audiovisual content created by Saunders and colleagues over more than 50 years of ministry.

Source: Landon Brady Saunders Obituary; Landon Brady Saunders Biography for Religious Events