The station signed on the air on July 28, 1926; 98 years ago (1926-07-28). Its original call sign was WMBI, which stood for the Moody Bible Institute.[3] The station originally broadcast at 1080 kHz, sharing time with WCBD.[3] WMBI's frequency was changed to 1110 kHz in March 1941, as a result of the North American Regional Broadcasting Agreement (NARBA).[3] For 95 years, the station was operated by Moody Bible, originally broadcasting English-language Christian radio programming.
In 1960, Moody Bible added an FM station at 90.1 MHz, WMBI-FM. At first, the two stations simulcast their programming, but over time the FM station developed its own programming. WMBI 1110 switched to a Spanish-language Christian format on February 6, 2012, making it the first full-time format of its kind on analog radio in Chicago.[4] In 2019, Moody announced it intended to sell the station.[5]
In 2021, El Sembrador Ministries acquired 1110 WMBI and a permit for an FM translator, W292GB at 106.3 FM. The price tag was $1.6 million. ESNE Radio already aired part-time on WNDZ in Portage, Indiana.[6] The transaction was consummated on July 13, 2021. On July 19, the station's call sign was changed to WXES.[7]