As the 2026 Olympic Games in Milan-Cortina get underway, some athletes are standing out for more than just their performance on the ice or snow.
Beliefnet highlights several Christian athletes who openly live out their faith while competing at the highest level of sport.
These Olympians talk candidly about prayer, trust in God, and staying grounded amid pressure, expectations, and global attention. Their stories offer a refreshing reminder that while Olympic dreams are fueled by years of hard work and sacrifice, many competitors draw their deepest strength from something far greater than medals or podiums.
Halle Krajenski, Director of Programs for New Directions, recently joined WNZR’s Eric Brown to talk about one of the organization’s most anticipated events of the year—EmpowHER.
Having served in her role for just over 1 year, Halle oversees New Directions’ prevention team, which works directly in local schools to educate youth on healthy relationships, recognizing warning signs of unhealthy behavior, intervention strategies, and personal safety.
This year’s EmpowHER event takes place on Friday, March 13th at the Kenyon Lowry Center. Doors open at 5:00 p.m., giving guests time to shop a vendor marketplace featuring women-owned local businesses before dinner is served at 6:15 p.m. The evening continues with presentations and awards designed to uplift and amplify the voices of women and girls across Knox County.
Created in celebration of International Women’s Day, the EmpowHER Awards focus on empowerment, community, and celebration. The 2026 theme—“Vogue Presents: Where Your Voice Leads, Change Follows”—sets the tone for a night centered on confidence, leadership, and positive impact. Guests can also expect a full buffet dinner prepared by Kenyon by AVI, offering a wide variety of high-quality options.
Now in its fifth year, EmpowHER has grown into a highly anticipated annual celebration for New Directions. Halle says the event provides a dedicated time each year to intentionally empower women while bringing the community together in meaningful ways. Tickets are $75 for individuals, with half-table and full-table options available. Sponsorship opportunities and vendor spots are still open, though limited. Tickets, sponsorships, and vendor inquiries can be made by emailing empowhernewdirections@gmail.com, with payment options including Venmo, PayPal, or invoice.
Beyond EmpowHER, New Directions remains active year-round through awareness initiatives such as Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month, Domestic Violence Awareness Month, Sexual Assault Awareness Month, and their annual summer Color Run.
Click HERE to learn more about the 2026 EmpowHER event!
Brock is from Mount Vernon and chose to attend MVNU because of his connection to the CCP classes he had already taken here. Thanks to those early college credits, he came in with 50 credits completed — which means at just 19 years old, he’s considered a Sophomore/Junior.
His interest in radio grew out of his longtime love for music and the arts. When Brock decided to major in communication, trying out WNZR and radio felt like a natural step. Now, he serves as a DJ and also helps with the Sportscasting video team. But he doesn’t stop there. Brock works as an office intern for the communications department, hopes to be involved in SGA, and stays active in many areas around campus.
One major highlight of his college experience so far has been attending CMBU. That trip opened significant doors for him, including the opportunity to become one of two CMBU interns. He now works alongside fellow intern Naomi Kinne in that role. Brock describes the CMBU trip as one of his greatest memories because of the opportunities it created.
Much of Brock’s college experience focuses on his campus involvement and being a member of the worship team at The Church at Chapel Hill. His faith is an important part of his life. Although he grew up Christian, he recently came to terms with truly making his faith his own, and he shares how God has been working in his heart during this season.
His favorite Bible verse is Ephesians 4:32: “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”
This verse is especially meaningful to him because of his struggle with forgiveness, and it reminds him to choose kindness and forgiveness daily.
Outside of school and work, Brock enjoys catching up on sleep and going out to eat with his family on the weekends. His favorite people in the world are his parents, sister, and grandma — especially because of how they support him in everything he does. He also laughs about a funny family memory during a snowstorm when his grandma still wanted to go to Chili’s first thing in the morning.
A few fun facts about Brock: his favorite artist is Lauren Daigle, and his favorite song is “Thank God I Do.” His favorite food is Italian — specifically Chicken Alfredo. And he’s secretly had the privilege of going to Hawaii twice.
You can hear Brock Hankins on Mondays from 2-4pm.
Click HERE to check out WNZR’s website and see and the other WNZR staff!
The Morning Thing shared the February MVNU Update on Friday. Rev. Jon Nicholas was our guest. He serves MVNU as the Executive Director of Enrollment for the College of Arts & Sciences.
He shared a wonderful update on enrollment projections for the 2026-2027 academic year. He gave us insight on how his team works with prospective students, including how a campus visit is tailored to the student’s interest.
We talked about what makes MVNU unique and special and how a positive life-changing culture is vital for the college experience. You can sign up for a tour and see the MVNU Enrollment calendar at mvnu.edu
Click HERE or on the link below to hear the full conversation.
February is National Hot Breakfast Month. Today for our Friday Favorites, The Morning Thing hosts shared their favorite hot breakfast selections. This month, you are encouraged to take a little extra time to eat a hot breakfast with your family and friends. It is a perfect way to warm up in the winter weather.
Click HERE or the link below to hear what The Morning Thing hosts enjoy for breakfast.
Lieutenant Coby Holloway and Sergeant Josh Stryker of the Mount Gilead Post of the Ohio State Highway Patrol joined WNZR’s Eric Brown to discuss the Patrol’s core mission and what sets it apart.
They shared how the Patrol works daily to keep Ohio’s roads and communities safe through emergency response, traffic enforcement, crash investigations, and criminal interdiction. The officers emphasized that “transforming your talents” means the Patrol needs people with diverse skills and personalities, from leadership and communication to technology and service-focused roles.
They also highlighted the importance of being service-minded, committed to helping others, and willing to put the public first, along with the benefits of paid academy training and continued professional development.
The conversation also explored the wide range of specialized career opportunities available after gaining road experience.
After two years, troopers can pursue roles in aviation, crash reconstruction, criminal patrol, K-9 units, investigations, special response teams, academy instruction, and more.
Holloway and Stryker also explained why the Ohio State Highway Patrol is a great fit for veterans and reservists, noting that military experience is highly valued and that the Patrol’s structure, benefits, and support make it a natural transition from military service to law enforcement.
Click HERE to find out more on how to be a OSP Trooper!
Filmmaker Richie Johns recently spoke with WNZR’s Eric Brown to talk about the heart behind his new film, Still Hope. A graduate of Mount Vernon Nazarene University, Richie shared how the project began after he learned about a story inspired by real survivors of human trafficking—a story that stayed with him and ultimately led to this film.
Still Hope weaves together elements from two true accounts into one character, following her journey from abduction to rescue and then into the long, often difficult road of healing. Richie explained that he and his wife, Bethany, originally joined the project as producers. He later stepped into the director’s role when the team felt the story needed to be stewarded by a filmmaker of faith who understood both the weight of the subject and the hope at its core.
What ultimately drew Richie in was the film’s mission. While raising awareness about human trafficking is important, he said Still Hope is about more than that—it’s about pointing people toward redemption, restoration, and hope.
Richie also talked about the challenge of telling such a heavy story while still holding onto that hope. The film approaches the topic with care and restraint, acknowledging the darkness of trafficking in the first half while intentionally shifting focus in the second half to recovery and healing—an aspect of survivor stories that is often overlooked.
One of the film’s central themes is forgiveness, which Richie described not as weakness, but as a courageous step toward freedom and peace. By partnering with real-life, faith-based recovery organizations, Still Hope remains grounded in authenticity and shows that healing is a process that takes time, support, and faith.
As a first-time director, Richie shared that the experience was both humbling and emotionally demanding. Balancing multiple roles alongside his wife Bethany, who served as lead producer, came with a learning curve, and the emotional weight of the story often carried beyond the set.
He also praised the cast—especially lead actress Luna Rivera—and acknowledged how challenging certain scenes were for everyone involved.
Ultimately, Richie said Still Hope is meant to be more than just a film. It’s a call to action—created to educate, mobilize, and equip people to move beyond awareness and into meaningful action against human trafficking.
Richie also spoke about partnering with Natalie Grant and Hope for Justice, sharing how their involvement strengthened the film’s message and impact. Audiences will see Natalie at the end of the movie offering practical ways to get involved and support organizations already doing vital work on the front lines.
Still Hope opens nationwide February 5–9 in more than 900 theaters, with several Columbus-area theaters hosting premiere night showings on Thursday. Richie encouraged listeners to see the film in theaters and support independent filmmaking.
Mount Vernon City Schools Superintendent Bill Seder recently sat down with WNZR’s Eric Brown to walk through the district’s long-term facilities plan and a proposed 1-percent earned income tax levy expected to appear on the May 2026 ballot.
According to Seder, the proposal is the result of more than a year of planning, community input, and financial analysis aimed at addressing aging buildings, outdated learning spaces, rising maintenance costs, safety concerns, and limited accommodations for students with special needs.
Seder explained that the district’s master facilities plan includes building three new elementary schools, renovating the high school, and adding a new auditorium to better support growing participation in arts and extracurricular programs. The total estimated cost of the project is $118 million, reflecting current construction prices. About $38 million would come from the Ohio Facilities Construction Commission, with the remaining costs covered locally under strict state guidelines. While renovations were explored, Seder said rebuilding most elementary schools proved more cost-effective under Ohio’s two-thirds funding rule.
The proposed levy would be a 1-percent earned income tax, which Seder said was chosen to create a more balanced and sustainable funding model while protecting residents on fixed incomes. Property tax revenue is capped by state law, making income-based funding a more reliable long-term option. He also noted the district delayed placing the levy on the November ballot due to uncertainty surrounding the state budget and property tax changes, later determining May would provide more clarity.
Acknowledging the emotional and generational ties families have to existing school buildings, Seder emphasized the district’s desire to honor that history. Elements from older schools could be incorporated into new designs, blending tradition with modern learning environments. Plans also call for four elementary schools strategically placed across the city to meet safety, transportation, and site-size requirements.
If approved, the project would follow a multi-year timeline, beginning with design and planning before construction starts. If the levy does not pass, Seder said there would be no immediate cuts since this is a capital project, but the district would continue maintaining current buildings and consider future options. Residents will have multiple opportunities to learn more through district resources, building tours, and a citizen-led levy committee.
Click HERE to visit the Mount Vernon City School District
This week’s Meet the Staff Monday on WNZR features Junior, Brook Abella.
Brook is from Bellefontaine, Ohio. She is a double major in Communication & Media (Digital Media) and Visual Arts.
She shares what brought her to MVNU and how she found her way to WNZR through her love for Christian Music.
Book Abella talks about her passion for sharing the gospel through media and how God has opened doors for her music career.
She shares some favorites including favorite memories, artists, foods and her role in worship ministry every weekend at her home church. We also learn that Brook Abella will be joining The Afternoon Drive on Thursdays.
Brook Abella’s favorite bible verses are found in Psalms 34:1-4. She shares how these verses help to shape her life.
Click HERE to enjoy the conversation or click the link below.
You can hear Book Abella on WNZR on Thursdays 3pm – 5pm.
Today is National Fun at Work Day! The Morning Thing is celebrating with our Friday Favorites. The show hosts share their favorite FUN memories from their time working at WNZR.
Click HERE to hear from Marcy, Eric, Josiah and Xander.
Rise and Shine 