In 1951, Word Records was established in Waco, Texas by Jarrell McCracken, Baylor business major Henry SoRelle and radio/television executive Ted Snider.

[2] The event is based on a full-length match, between the forces of good and evil, with Jesus Christ and Satan coaching the two teams.

McCracken originally presented "The Game of Life" on Sunday nights, at various churches around the central Texas area.

Early employees for the label included Tom Norfleet, Kurt Kaiser and Ralph Carmichael.

Artists on Solid Rock included Norman, Randy Stonehill, Daniel Amos, Tom Howard and Mark Heard.

Distribution deals with other labels in the 1970s, 1980s and early 1990s allowed Word Records to rise to the top, virtually housing a who's-who in Christian music.

Artists included: Amy Grant, Michael W. Smith, Rich Mullins, Russ and Tori Taff, Benny Hester, Paul Smith, the Imperials, Petra, Helen Baylor, Sandi Patti, Kenny Marks, Wayne Watson, Carman, the Archers featuring Steve Archer, White Heart, Gaither Vocal Band, Bill Gaither Trio, Point of Grace, Love Song, Sweet Comfort Band, the Nelons, Happy Goodman Family featuring Rusty Goodman, Florida Boys, Guardian, Phil and Brenda Nicholas and other artists.

A highly controversial ad campaign introduced at the CBA convention in 2002, created litigation and settled later.

After Colin Reed took over Gaylord Entertainment in 2001,[citation needed] the hotelier made corporate changes at the company, including the ousting of longstanding president Roland Lundy.

Word went through a period of restructuring, closing their Los Angeles music publishing office, absorbing Myrrh Records, Squint Entertainment, and Everland Entertainment into the Word Label Group, and reducing in-house staff.