Copyright Baltimore Sun
John Thomas “Tom” Bisset, a retired president of the Peter and John Radio Fellowship and a Christian broadcasting executive, died of complications from dementia Oct. 30 at Arden Courts in Towson. The former Lutherville resident was 86. Born in Jersey Shore, Pennsylvania, he was the son of John Osborne Bisset, a Baltimore pastor who founded the Peter and John Radio Ministry with his brother, Peter. His mother was Barbara Orange Bisset, who worked alongside her husband in the ministry. Mr. Bisset — who never used the title the Rev. — moved to a dairy farm in Manchester in Carroll County in 1952 as his extended family and church friends worked to turn River Valley Ranch into a Western-themed Christian youth camp and retreat center. He was a graduate of Manchester High School, the Moody Bible Institute and Greenville College in Illinois. An ordained minister, he also had two master’s degrees from Johns Hopkins University. In 1963 he met his future wife, Mary Ruth Kennedy, a student at the Bible Institute of Los Angeles who had come to work as a summer camp counselor at River Valley Ranch. They married in 1964. Mr. Bisset worked his entire career for Peter and John Ministries, beginning in 1964 when WRBS-FM (95.1) was purchased. The radio studio was originally located in Northeast Baltimore at Alameda and Coldspring Lane. He later assisted in moving the broadcast headquarters to Arbutus, where Brighter Media Group’s main studios remain. “My father was among a handful of early pioneers who helped define the direction of Christian radio. He stood out for his integrity, intellect and quiet strength,” said his daughter Christina Blackman. “He was a door opener for others and stood aside as they walked through,” his daughter said. “My father chose to be a quiet figure. He had an understated strength. He was the first person in his family to put women on his board of directors.” Mr. Bisset became general manager of WRBS-FM and led the station to receive the National Religious Broadcasters Station of the Year Award twice. He later served as president of Peter and John Ministries. The radio station, now known as Bright-FM, operates additional stations in Graysonville-Annapolis and Hagerstown/Frederick. He was the author of “Why Christian Kids Leave the Faith,” “Every Day With Jesus,” “Good News for Prodigals” and “A Risky Obedience.” He also wrote letters and essays for The Baltimore Sun. “My father was also known for his love of sports and competition — whether coaching his son’s undefeated Green Machine youth soccer team or claiming the Maryland State Doubles Handball Championship,” his daughter said. “People recall his gentleness, wit and deep care for people.” Survivors include his wife of more than 60 years, Mary Ruth Kennedy Bisset, a Baltimore County Public Schools music teacher and church organist; a daughter, Christina Blackman, of Baltimore; a son, Jon Bisset, of Monkton; a sister, Sharon Bisset, of Avon, New York; two brothers, Chuck Bisset, of British Columbia, Canada, and Steve Bisset, of Naples, New York; and four grandchildren.
