WNZR’s Ethan Hershberger talks with Jane Fricke from Lifewise Academy about the ministry’s mission to provide students with Bible-based education during school hours.
Click HERE or on the picture link below to hear the conversation!
Fricke has been involved with Lifewise for five years, helping with organization and teaching before recently taking on a leadership role. The program operates off school property, typically at local churches, and allows students to attend with parental permission. Lifewise Academy began classes on September 9 and currently serves students on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays, providing transportation so children can learn about God and explore a biblical perspective.
Fricke shares a powerful story about a young student who accepted Jesus on Good Friday after learning about Christ during an Easter lesson. She explains how important it is for children to discover the hope found in Jesus, especially when they might not otherwise have the opportunity to hear about Him. Lifewise Academy is active in 29 states, and Fricke discusses the efforts that helped make the ministry possible in Ohio. She also highlights the need for Tuesday drivers, classroom volunteers, and financial support as the program continues to grow. Fricke asks the community to pray for the ministry’s finances, workers, and its mission to reach more children with the love of Jesus.
WNZR’s Daniel Russell talks with Casey and Melinda from Joy of Living Camp in Knox County about the camp’s mission to provide children with meaningful summer camp experiences, regardless of their family’s financial situation.
Click HERE or on the picture link below to hear the conversation!
Joy of Living Camp offers scholarships that allow children to attend camp for free, giving them opportunities to enjoy activities such as archery, horseback riding, tubing, and canoeing. Beyond the fun, the camp focuses on sharing love and support, building leadership skills, and teaching children about the Word of God. Casey and Melinda also discuss preparations for next summer and upcoming winter camps. They encourage community members to get involved by volunteering, providing support, and praying for the ministry as it continues reaching more children.
Today on The Morning Thing, we celebrated this year’s WINNERS of the 57th Annual GMA Dove Awards, featuring artists like Brandon Lake, Josiah Queen, Phil Wickham, CeCe Winans, and more!
Congratulations to this year’s Dove Award Winners! Check out some photos from this year’s artists at the bottom of our blog!
BIGGEST WINNERS
Josiah Queen
SONG OF THE YEAR – Dusty Bibles
POP/CONTEMPORARY RECORDED SONG OF THE YEAR – Dusty Bibles
RECORDED MUSIC PACKAGING OF THE YEAR – Mt. Zion
Brandon Lake
SONGWRITER OF THE YEAR (ARTIST)
COUNTRY/ROOTS RECORDED SONG OF THE YEAR –The Jesus I Know Now, with Lainey Wilson
POP/CONTEMPORARY ALBUM OF THE YEAR–King Of Hearts
SONG OF THE YEAR Dusty Bibles Writers: Josiah Queen, Zac Lawson, Dylan Thomas, John Michael Howell Publishers: Josiah Queen Publishing, Capitol CMG Genesis, John Michael Howell Publishing, ZVC SONGZ, Kobalt Songs Music Publishing LLC, Dylan Thomas Publishing Designee
SONGWRITER OF THE YEAR (ARTIST) Brandon Lake
SONGWRITER OF THE YEAR (NON-ARTIST) Jacob Sooter
ARTIST OF THE YEAR Phil Wickham Record Label: Fair Trade Services
NEW ARTIST OF THE YEAR Jamie MacDonald Record Label: Capitol CMG Label Group
PRODUCER OF THE YEAR Jonathan Smith
ROCK/CONTEMPORARY RECORDED SONG OF THE YEAR No Survivors Jeremy Camp (ft. Skillet) Writers: Jeremy Camp, Jordan Sapp, Paul Duncan, Emily Weisband
POP/CONTEMPORARY RECORDED SONG OF THE YEAR Dusty Bibles Josiah Queen Writers: Josiah Queen, Zac Lawson, Dylan Thomas, John Michael Howell
INSPIRATIONAL RECORDED SONG OF THE YEAR The Blessing Andrea Bocelli, Cody Carnes, Kari Jobe Writers: Cody Carnes, Kari Jobe, Chris Brown, Steven Furtick
SOUTHERN GOSPEL RECORDED SONG OF THE YEAR No Rock Jeff & Sheri Easter Writers: Sheri Easter, Jason Cox, Kenna Turner West
COUNTRY/ROOTS RECORDED SONG OF THE YEAR The Jesus I Know Now Brandon Lake, Lainey Wilson Writers: Brandon Lake, Lainey Wilson, Emily Weisband, Luke Laird
BLUEGRASS RECORDED SONG OF THE YEAR Broken Angels The Grascals, Dolly Parton Writers: Dolly Parton, Jamie Johnson
CONTEMPORARY GOSPEL RECORDED SONG OF THE YEAR Still (Live) Jonathan McReynolds, Jamal Roberts Writers: Jonathan McReynolds, Terrell Demetrius Wilson, Orlando Joel Palmer, David Lamar Outing II, Britney Delagraentiss
TRADITIONAL GOSPEL RECORDED SONG OF THE YEAR Church Tasha Cobbs Leonard, John Legend Writers: Tasha Cobbs Leonard, Kenneth Leonard Jr, Brunes Charles, Jonas Myrin, ANTHNY, Annatoria Chitapa
GOSPEL WORSHIP RECORDED SONG OF THE YEAR More Than This [Radio Edit] CeCe Winans (ft. Todd Dulaney) Writers: CeCe Winans, Todd Dulaney, Kyle Lee
RAP/HIP HOP RECORDED SONG OF THE YEAR ROB HELL indie tribe, nobigdyl., Torey D’Shaun (ft. Jon Keith) Writers: nobigdyl., Torey D’Shaun, Jon Keith
SPANISH LANGUAGE RECORDED SONG OF THE YEAR Tu Voz Sarai Rivera Writer: Sarai Rivera
SPANISH LANGUAGE WORSHIP RECORDED SONG OF THE YEAR Solo Hay Uno Joel Rocco, Enoc Parra Writers: Andreu Pradas, Marcos Andrés Salice, Joel Rocco
WORSHIP RECORDED SONG OF THE YEAR God I’m Just Grateful Elevation Worship, Chandler Moore Writers: Chandler Moore, Pat Barrett, Steven Furtick, Abubakar Baker Shariff-Farr, Joshua Coleman
CHILDREN’S RECORDED SONG OF THE YEAR Follow The Light Brandon Engman, Phil Wickham, Angel Writers: Brock Monroe Baker, Molly Kate Kestner
CHRISTMAS RECORDED SONG OF THE YEAR We Three Kings We Are Messengers Writer: Traditional
RAP/HIP HOP ALBUM OF THE YEAR COULD BE TONIGHT Hulvey Producers: xander., Micah Palace, Zac Lawson, Michael Howell, Ace
ROCK/CONTEMPORARY ALBUM OF THE YEAR Plastic Wine Strings & Heart Producers: Angelo Espinosa, Emmanuel Espinosa, Scott Mills
POP/CONTEMPORARY ALBUM OF THE YEAR King Of Hearts Brandon Lake Producers: Hank Bentley, Jacob Sooter, Micah Nichols, Rodrick Simmons, Pete Mol
SOUTHERN GOSPEL ALBUM OF THE YEAR Good Answers Karen Peck & New River Producers: Wayne Haun, Kris Crunk, Cliff Duren, Johnathan Crumpton
BLUEGRASS/COUNTRY/ROOTS ALBUM OF THE YEAR American Morning: Side A – EP Chosen Road Producer: Dave Clark
CONTEMPORARY GOSPEL ALBUM OF THE YEAR TASHA Tasha Cobbs Leonard Producers: Kenneth Leonard Jr., Zaytoven, Juberlee, B.A.M., Adale Jackson, Alexandria Dollar
TRADITIONAL GOSPEL ALBUM OF THE YEAR Revival: Live in Dallas Lisa Knowles-Smith & The Brown Singers Producers: Lisa Knowles-Smith, Frederick Perry Jr
GOSPEL WORSHIP ALBUM OF THE YEAR Live at Redemption Church Red Worship Producers: Terrance White, Adale Jackson, Elijah Humphries
SPANISH LANGUAGE ALBUM OF THE YEAR Lamento en Baile Daddy Yankee Producers: Daddy Yankee, OMB, XOUND, La Companioni, Nando Pro, OBRINN, Subelo NEO, Sergio George, JBD JBD, Abel Xanders, Nekxum, Nayhlo, Orlan Navarro
WORSHIP ALBUM OF THE YEAR Song Of The Saints Phil Wickham Producers: Jonathan Smith, Shane Becker, Micah Nichols
CHRISTMAS/SPECIAL EVENT ALBUM OF THE YEAR DAVID (Soundtrack from the Angel Original Film) Various Artists Producers: Chad Carouthers, Joseph Trapanese, Jonathan Smith, Bryan Lawson
MUSICAL/CHORAL COLLECTION OF THE YEAR We Shall Behold Him: A Tribute to Dottie Rambo Creators: Bradley Knight, Dusty Wells, Johnathan Crumpton Arranger/Orchestrator: Bradley Knight
RECORDED MUSIC PACKAGING OF THE YEAR Mt. Zion **Josiah Queen Art Director: Aaron Stearns Graphic Artists: Aaron Stearns, Nathan Blaine, Trent Nicholson Photographer: Rashun Ludgood
SHORT FORM MUSIC VIDEO OF THE YEAR (CONCEPT) World On Fire for KING & COUNTRY, Taylor Hill Director: Kadin Tooley Producers: Katie Babbage, Fadwa Ward, Patrick Tohill, Crashbang
SHORT FORM MUSIC VIDEO OF THE YEAR (PERFORMANCE) Have Your Way Katy Nichole Directors: Greg Fromholz, Joey von Meding Producer: Joshua Wurzelbacher
LONG FORM MUSIC VIDEO OF THE YEAR The Resurrection Of A King Tommee Profitt Director/Producer: Tommee Proffit
FEATURE FILM OF THE YEAR DAVID Directors: Brent Dawes, Phil Cunningham Producers: Jacqui Cunningham, Phil Cunningham, Tim Keller, Rita Mbanga, Steve Pegram, Timothy Hoffman, Nikky Kho, Edelgard Slabbert
TELEVISION SERIES OF THE YEAR The Chosen Director: Dallas Jenkins Producers: Jamie Elliott, Adam Drake, Kerri Navarro
Click HEREto learn how you can watch the first episode of The Chosen Season 6 EARLY at Mount Vernon Nazarene University!
Check out these photos from the Dove Awards Broadcast!
WNZR’s Marcy Rinehart got to talk with Lacey Filkins, Executive Director of Experience Mount Vernon, about downtown events and upcoming community activities.
Click HERE to listen to the entire conversation, or click the image at the bottom of the blog!
Lacey looks back on a successful 2026 First Friday season, which welcomed more than 15,000 visitors to downtown Mount Vernon. She highlights the expanded Kids Zone, popular passport program, live entertainment, and community participation. Lacey also shares how the events helped support downtown businesses while creating fun experiences for families throughout the summer. She talks about the 6th Annual Johnny Appleseed Fall Festival, taking place Sunday, October 11, at the Schnormeier Event Center in Ariel-Foundation Park from 3 to 5pm.
Lacey also mentions the activity zone for this year includes different exciting events at ariel foundation park for the Johnny Appleseed fall festival. They have more room for this event and she highlights events like hayrides, face painting, balloon animals, pumpkin painting, fishing, antique tractors, and a petting zoo featuring animals from Traveling Acres. Entertainment includes a Bluegrass band Blue Diggity will provide live music inside the event center, creating a festive autumn atmosphere.
Food options available at the Johnny Appleseed Fall Festival include different food trucks featuring local favorites, sweet treats, funnel cakes, drinks, and Mexican street food. You will be able to park at various lots around the Schnormeier event center and around ariel foundation park or walk from a local lot to the park. Lacey thanks the many sponsors and community partners who help make the festival possible each year and she goes into detail what each partner provides to this event.
Lacey shares details about the upcoming Winter in Downtown season, themed “Holiday Movie Magic,” and she’s excited to see what different people bring to events. She talks about Shop Small Saturday, the first event in the Winter in Downtown series. The lighting of Public Square kicks off soon on Monday November 30 from 5 to 6pm. The annual Christmas Parade is moving to Sunday December 6 which leans into the theme of Holiday Movie Magic. Visits with Santa and Mrs. Claus on that same day on December 6 and December 12. The Festival of Lights kicks off on December 12 till December 15. Lacey explains how the expanded schedule will provide holiday-themed activities throughout November and December while continuing to support downtown businesses and encouraging residents to shop locally.
Lacey explains Experience Mount Vernon’s mission of creating a vibrant downtown through events, beautification, business support, and community engagement. She discusses maintaining hanging baskets, holiday decorations, sidewalk maintenance, and promotional efforts for downtown merchants. Lacey discusses the organization’s purchase of a permanent home at 10 East Vine Street and shares plans to move into the new downtown location before the end of the year. You can stay connected through Experience Mount Vernon’s website experiencemv.org, monthly newsletter, and social media channels for updates on downtown events and activities.
The 57th Annual Dove Awards are airing on Friday, October 9th at 7:30pm on TBN! To celebrate, The Morning Thing co-hosts share their favorite Dove Award nominated song!
Click HERE to listen to the hosts Friday Favorites, or click the image below!
These were the hosts’ favorites songsfrom this year’s list!
WNZR’s Marcy Rinehart recently talked with Rachel Parkes, a Mount Vernon native and Mount Vernon Nazarene University graduate, about her journey into ministry and her work in Eswatini.
Growing up in Mount Vernon, Rachel was involved in local schools, community events, and sports before earning her nursing degree at MVNU. During a 2017 mission trip to Eswatini, she discovered God was calling her to overseas ministry and to serve vulnerable populations. After graduating from MVNU, Rachel earned a Master of Public Health degree from Cedarville University and made several trips to Uganda before eventually being led back to Eswatini.
Rachel helped co-found Palm Grove Health and Wellness Initiative, launching the ministry in April of last year alongside other healthcare professionals who shared a similar vision for ministry. As Director of Operations, she oversees fundraising, communications, administration, outreach, and team development. Palm Grove’s mission is to see Christ-centered initiatives bring thriving sustainability to communities, with a focus on helping entire communities grow together through challenges and hardships.
One of Palm Grove’s current areas of ministry is serving children with disabilities and their families. Rachel explains that cultural stigmas can sometimes cause these children and families to become isolated from their communities. Through home visits, the ministry provides encouragement, counseling, health education, wellness checks, and practical support while building relationships that communicate love and belonging. Although Rachel is no longer practicing bedside nursing, her nursing and public health training allows her to educate families, advocate for children, monitor medications, and connect people with healthcare resources.
Rachel says Palm Grove’s greatest needs include financial support, prayer, encouragement, and people who are willing to learn more about the ministry in Eswatini. She also shared about the country’s culture, food, festivals, landscapes, wildlife, and welcoming people. Community members can learn more about Palm Grove at an upcoming gathering at The Gathering Place on Monday, October 12. Rachel hopes the event will give people an opportunity to hear more about the ministry and learn about the lives and communities being served in another part of the world.
WNZR’s Marcy Rinehart got to talk with Lisa Lloyd of the Kiwanis Club of Mount Vernon about the annual Coats for Kids campaign.
Click HERE to listen to the entire conversation, or click the image below!
Lisa shares her history with Kiwanis, dating back to her high school Key Club involvement, and explains the organization’s mission of serving children throughout Knox County. She talks about how the Mount Vernon club focuses on helping local families and discusses the long-running Coats for Kids program, which began in 1987 and has provided more than 20,000 coats to children in the community.
Lisa explains how community members can donate coats at nearly 40 collection sites across Knox County, including schools, banks, health agencies, and community organizations. She also discusses the partnership with Gault’s Plaza Cleaners, which cleans every donated coat at no cost before they are distributed through the Salvation Army and Interchurch to families in need. The collection runs throughout the entire month, collection ends on October 31st.
Click HERE for a complete list of drop-off locations for the kids coat collections!
Lisa also talks about how the collection has been going on for 40 years and they have collected over 20,000 coats over the 40 years that they have been doing this collection They have a need for all coat sizes because many teens wear adult-sized clothing. She highlights the ongoing need for warm winter coats in Knox County and encourages businesses and offices to organize their own collection drives to support local families. She talks about how people ask about the drive in august and the excitement and need always exists. Kids grow out of coats, or they get damaged, and the need never ends.
Lisa encourages listeners to find collection locations through the Kiwanis Club of Mount Vernon Facebook page and also shares other upcoming Kiwanis projects, including a chili supper fundraiser, the Boots for Kids campaign, Salvation Army bell ringing, and helping with Food for the Hungry. Lisa also explains how people can become involved with the club by attending meetings and serving alongside other community volunteers or checking out their website at knoxcf.org.
Click HERE to learn more about the Kiwanis Club of Mount Vernon and their Coats For Kids Collection!
WNZR’s Marcy Rinehart talks with Brit Eaton, the new Executive Director of the United Way of Knox County!
Click HERE or on the picture link below to hear the full conversation!
Brit shares what led her to the position and how her decades of nonprofit consulting, ministry work, marketing, communications, mental health advocacy, and teaching prepared her for this new opportunity. She has also been a three-time published author and spent 18 years as an adjunct professor at Mount Vernon Nazarene University. Brit officially began her new role on September 28 while continuing to teach at MVNU.
As the United Way of Knox County celebrates its 75th Anniversary, Brit is looking forward to an exciting year focused on bringing the community together. This year’s campaign theme is “We Stand United, We Live United,” with a goal of raising $1 million to support local nonprofits and meet growing needs throughout Knox County. Brit discusses special plans for the anniversary campaign, donor opportunities and recognition, and the importance of individuals, families, businesses, volunteers, and donors working together. She also shares her immediate goals of connecting with partner agencies, donors, volunteers, and community leaders, and encourages those interested in getting involved!
WNZR’s Marcy Rinehart and Olivia Skillings got to talk with Dr. Henry Smith, who was the original WNZR Communication Professor and Station Manager!
Click HERE to listen to the entire conversation, or click the image below!
Henry shares with us what he is doing today! He is in Zambia, Africa, helping to start a Wesleyan University in Zambia. Henry shares a funny story with us about a former student of his that has been helping him. He also talks about the dream that he and others had for the radio station at WNZR. There was a nucleus of people who had already started raising money for the station and he helped them to get it started.
Henry tells how the initial planning was a learning opportunity for him because he didn’t because he really wasn’t a radio guy at that time. There was a lot of learning that was done from other stations and even the FCC!
Henry explains to us what his prayer was at the beginning of WNZR. They had an unexpected obstacle when starting up, which was a local TV station petitioning to deny them starting WNZR due to their conflicting dial positions. The supporters of the radio station prayed for the barriers to be removed so they could make a difference with their radio station.
Henry talks about the 4 year waiting period that they experienced while trying to get an FCC license. The TV station in Columbus was the primary cause of that. The students tried to keep the quality of the station high even though they weren’t on the air yet.
He explains his biggest challenge in it was trying to keep the dream alive for the students.
Henry also explains that the things he remembers most is the people from that time. He has always enjoyed working with students the most and recalls how excited they were when they finally received the permission that they needed from the FCC.
Here are pictures from Dr. Smith’s trip to the top of our radio tower. He talked about taking pictures of the MVNC campus in 1986!
Marcy also shares a funny story that current MVNU Professor Alan Reed has about Dr. Smith on that day!
Dr. Smith details the process of what it took to get 90.9FM WNZR on the air! He talks about what he learned about himself throughout those years. Impact has always been his greatest motivator as a person whether that be as a professor, a university president, or a missionary.
Henry talks about the importance of waiting and being patient. The lessons that he and the students learned while waiting were so important and have stayed with him throughout his life.
Dr. Smith explains how important community support was in starting WNZR. Starting the radio station was something that rallied people in the area and the share-a-thons that they did played a huge role in the station’s birth.
Henry and Marcy joke about a potential trip to Zambia so MVNU Communication students can help with the radio station that he is starting there.
Henry speaks on the importance of students learning about broadcasting while studying Communication. The more experiences you can have will lead to students being better communicators. He says that it helps sharpen your communication skills in ways that you don’t even realize.
