From St. Louis television personality to pastor at The Journey, a large progressive church with several sites in the city, Tim Ezell has done it all. He has emerged from a dark place of alcoholism to a Christian leader in the media industry, and through it all he’s managed to maintain an infectious sense of humor.
Photo courtesy of Fox 2
Tim Ezell always seems to have a smile on his face, and with good reason. He is a beloved St. Louis TV personality, a Christian, husband, father and former church pastor, and he brings his poignant stories to the MBU Communications Department’s spring edition of Media Talk, set for noon Tuesday, March 26, in the Recital Hall at MBU.
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Tim Ezell, known throughout St. Louis for nearly two decades as the upbeat personality of shows on Fox 2, will open the spring 2019 MBU Media Talk series Tuesday, March 26, at MBU. The free speaker series will take place in MBU’s Pillsbury Chapel and Dale Williams Fine Arts Center from noon to 1 p.m. “I’m headed back to college,” Ezell said Monday morning in a text message. “Looking forward to being a part of Media Talk at MBU on Tuesday. Let’s do this.” After working at Fox 2 News for 16 years where he served as the comic relief on “News in the Morning,” Ezell resigned in 2014 to become a full-time pastor at the newest location of The Journey-St. Louis in South County. Ezell recently re-joined the Fox 2 team, resuming his original role as a feature reporter as well as now co-hosting the new Fox 2 show, “The Thread.” “The Thread,” a Fox 2 show celebrating the people of St. Louis and all that they do in the community, airs Saturday mornings at 8:30 a.m. Dr. Amanda Staggenborg, assistant professor of public relations and instructional coordinator of undergraduate communications in the Communications Department of the Fine Arts Division, and founder/coordinator of the MBU Media Talk series, is excited about bringing her friend to MBU. “Tim Ezell has engaged St. Louis audiences for years. He brings a strong Christian message that will resonate with MBU students,” Staggenborg said in a text message. “I’m so grateful that he’s taking the time to tell his story and share his personal experience while offering professional advice to our communications students.” For years, the talks have inspired communications students and offered a glimpse into the professional world by showcasing leaders in public relations, journalism, broadcast media and strategic communications. The addition of Ezell will highlight how to communicate within the church setting, how to communicate as a Christian outside the church, and how to bring that Christian enthusiasm to mainstream television audiences. “Tim Ezell is inspirational and as a former pastor, displays compassion and kindness in every story he tells while showing the best of St. Louis,” said Staggenborg. Each MBU Media Talk speaker is selected to represent various types of communication-related professions in St. Louis. Previous MBU Media Talk speakers include: Missouri Governor Michael L. Parson, KSDK news anchor Christina Coleman, St. Louis Post-Dispatch columnist Bill McClellan and many more.
Emma Tihen 
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Jessica Kunkel