(02-26) 10:10 PST Colorado Springs, Colo. (AP) -- James Dobson made his last radio broadcast Friday for Focus on the Family, the conservative Christian ministry he founded 33 years ago and built into an influential political and social voice.
"I have a lump in my throat, but God's in control," Dobson told listeners.
Dobson, an outspoken opponent of abortion and gay marriage, has been gradually withdrawing from the organization, stepping down as president in 2003 and as chairman of the board last year.
He plans to start a new show, "Family Talk with James Dobson," this spring.
Dobson said Friday the new show isn't competition for Focus on the Family, noting that Focus agreed to donate $1 million to help him start.
"I'm not setting out to construct some magnificent organization like, frankly, this one is," he said. "But I also do not believe the Lord is done using my voice in the culture and speaking to parents."
Dobson said he'll continue to speak out on family, marriage and public policy.
Co-hosts on the new show will be his son Ryan, who heads KOR World Ministry, and LuAnne Crane, a senior producer of Focus on the Family radio.
He joked Crane would speak to women, his son to younger people, "and I will speak to the geezers."
