Radio stations with a Christian message have been a presence on the radio for a long time. There are those that play Christian themed music and some Christian radio broadcast talk programs, preachers and news features. Some of the stations are commercially run and reliant on revenue from advertisers and others are financially supported by listeners and Christian organizations. Music choices include gospel songs and modern pop style music with Christian lyrics.

One of the major evangelical organizations in the United States, involved in Christian radio, is Focus on the Family. A daily broadcast is given by founder James Dobson, offering free counseling to families in difficult situations. They firmly advocate traditional family values and are politically conservative. They also produce a children's drama series called Adventures in Odyssey with Christian themes set in a fictional town. Some of the plot lines are taken from biblical stories. The Radio Theatre division has recorded audio versions on cassette and CD of the Father Gilbert Mysteries, the story of a police officer who becomes a priest. They have also produced adaptations of popular literature, including the Chronicles of Narnia and Dickens' A Christmas Carol.

Another radio drama with a hard-hitting Christian message is Unshackled. Starting in 1950, it's the longest running radio drama series ever and is broadcast in seven different languages. The episodes revolve around the conversion of someone to Christianity and these sometimes involve true life stories of well known people. Ken Engle is a veteran broadcaster who has presented many Christian radio shows over the years, including Moments of Melody, Moment to Remember, The Emmaus Bible Hour and What the Bible Teaches.

Many pop and soft rock artists are played on Christian radio, addressing a younger generation with their version of worship music. Singer songwriter Steven Curtis Chapman has won five Grammy Awards in the pop / gospel category, has also written inspirational books, supports charities and has had success in the Asian record market. Third Day are a rock outfit from Georgia, taking their name from the story of Christ rising from the dead on the third day. They too have had Grammy success, winning the 2003 and 2005 award for Best Rock Gospel Album. The most successful Christian recording artist is Amy Grant, a familiar presence on Christian radio. She has had mainstream success and was the first artist to achieve platinum sales with a Christian record.