From TV journalism to Gospel-centered media
How Zip Rzeppa answered God’s call
Zip’s Story
For over twenty years, Zip Rzeppa was a successful television sports broadcaster in Boston, Cincinnati, and St. Louis.
Zip filled his sportscasts with humor and energy, fast-paced highlights and commentary, bringing about a major change in the way television sports was presented.
From 1984-2001, Zip performed his trademark Zippo Awards for “the best, the worst, and the weirdest performances in the wild and wacky, wonderful world of sports” each week.
He became the highest paid local TV personality in St. Louis history.
By every worldly measure, he had achieved success, recognition, and influence.
Yet something was missing.
Though a practicing Catholic, Zip felt called to do more for Christ.
Service in Action
Zip began serving in inner-city neighborhoods, evangelizing door-to-door.
At MERS Goodwill, he assisted people with extreme mental and physical disabilities to find jobs.
He raised funds to purchase homes for foster children and foster parents at Angels’ Arms.
As the executive director of the St. Vincent de Paul Society, he oversaw the charitable work of 3,000 volunteers in 140 parishes.
Over time, a deeper calling emerged: to return to his roots in media — not for fame, but for mission.
In 2012, he founded Mater Media.
Spreading the Faith
Zip had a vision to write, print, publish, and distribute books that evangelize the Catholic Faith.
It began with Zip’s novel My Rock & Salvation, now in the hands of more than 20,000 young adults. To date, Mater Media has published 21 Catholic books, with 128,000 copies in print.
Since then, the mission has expanded beyond book publishing to inspire and evangelize through a broad array of media formats.
Now, Mater Media helps bring the Gospel to new audiences through speakers, films, books, music, and digital platforms.
