Fans of Tim Ezell, the popular reporter on KTVI's (Channel 2) ratings-strong "AM Show," should mark July 18 on their calendars:

It's the last day Ezell will be on the air.

Ezell is leaving the station after that newscast to become the full-time pastor at The Journey church in south St. Louis County.

"This is what God has called me for and I need to dedicate all of my time to it," Ezell said earlier today, shortly after meeting with KTVI honchos Spencer Koch and Audrey Prywitch and telling them he did not want to renew his contract.

Ezell, the son of a Methodist minister in Louisiana, said the parting of ways "was completely amicable" and said it was not a negotiating tactic.

"I appreciate their trusting me, handing that 9 a.m. hour to me," Ezell said. "And I think we served the viewers well."

The Journey is an inter-denominational church founded in 2002 by Darrin Patrick. The location Ezell will lead is at the Bernard Middle School, 1054 Forder Road.

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