The Morning Thing shared some exciting news about one of our local ministries. Jessica Reynolds joined us to share the new name and mission for TouchPointe Community Resources. Jessica serves as the Executive Director. She shared stories of how God is moving through their ministry, along with information on programs that they offer and goals for the rest of 2025.
TouchPointe provides Christ-centered mentoring and practical assistance that equips neighbors to heal relationships, create thriving families, and develop employment readiness.
WNZR’s Eric Brown speaks with Stacey Keyser with Flying Horse Farms. Stacey talks about the camp located near Mount Gilead and is a medical specialty camp. They serve kids with chronic and serious illnesses that can’t go to traditional camp settings.
She talks about how the camps has grown in 15 years and has served over 10,000 campers including having family camps in both the spring and fall.
Stacey says camp is not just good medicine for kids and families to heal and grow, but it is great medicine. She says camp gives these kids a sense of belonging and just focus on being a kid.
She says this past summer marked the most camp sessions in the camp history including adding more opportunities for family camps.
Stacey says 1/3rd of campers experience camp for the first time at Flying Horse Farms and she talks about being a part of these kids “firsts.” She said they see as many tears from parents as they do from the campers.
She says that trust is a huge part of making the kids and families trust the staff.
She said they have campers from 15 different states due in part because camp is COST FREE thanks to donors of the farms.
Stacey says that demand exceeded availability this year and explains who their new rolling admissions works and how it allows more campers to attend camp.
She says that family camp welcomed 19 families this summer. She says when a child experiences an illness, the whole family is impacted. When families come together, the entire family can bond with different families, and it can grow into friendship.
Stacye says they had over 300 volunteers contributed this summer and how they build the “magic” for campers so they and their families can have fun and are the “Lifeline of what they do.
Stacey says that Flying Horse Farms recently joined the ACA’s Program quality cohort and explains how that benefits the campers and their families.
Stacey explains a unique ceremony they do at Flying Horse Farms to celebrate the campers dreams, hopes and essentially a way for you to pray for the Farms
Click HERE to find out more about Flying Horse Farms!
Rock City Worship is coming to Sonfest 2025 at Mount Vernon Nazarene University on Saturday, September 20.
Rock City Worship is the expression of worship at Rock City Church in Columbus, Ohio. With a focus on writing songs that paint a vivid picture of who God reveals Himself to be in His Word, this group of pastors, worship leaders, and songwriters believes that the more clearly we can see God, the more completely we can worship Him. Their sound blends passionate, modern worship with anthemic melodies and Christ-centered lyrics, aiming to lead people into authentic encounters with Jesus. Rock City Worship’s music has been shared in churches and streaming platforms across the country, encouraging believers everywhere to worship with all their hearts.
Nathan Montgomery of Rock City Worship talks with WNZR about the origin of the church and their worship team. He also talks about their approach to songwriting and creating a worship experience for anyone attending a service or a concert. Rapid Fire reveals his favorite worship songs and that he is a Star Wars fan.
Click HERE to hear the full conversation with WNZR’s Ethan Hershberger.
You can see Rock City Worship at Sonfest at 3:45pm on Saturday.
Click HERE for all the details about Sonfest 2025.
John Mark McMillan is coming to Sonfest 2025 at Mount Vernon Nazarene University on Saturday, September 20. John Mark McMillan is something of an anomaly: an artist and Platinum-selling songwriter bending genres and defying categorization by carving out his own unique and independent path. With an ear for melody and a poet’s eye for metaphor, no topic has been off-limits. While each of his albums over the past decade have continued to explore new territory, it’s McMillan’s ability to give lyric and language to the human experience that many consider his greatest gift.
John talks with WNZR about his approach to songwriting, his history in music and how God has always part of his journey in life and music. Rapid Fire reveals the first concert he went to and his favorite movie and snack.
Click HERE to hear the full conversation with WNZR’s Ethan Hershberger.
You can see John Mark McMillan at Sonfest at 6:30pm on Saturday.
Click HERE for all the details about Sonfest 2025.
The Morning Thing talked with Stephanie Lefever, Communications Manager at Sight & Sound Theatres about the exciting theatrical release of NOAH – LIVE! Sight & Sound’s flagship production, NOAH, is setting sail for movie theaters nationwide! Stephanie talked about this special 30th anniversary celebration and the process of taking this extraordinary production from the big stage to the big screen.
Click HERE to hear the full conversation with Stephanie and WNZR’s Marcy Rinehart.
Click HERE to find a list of show times and theaters.
MTV Arts presents SpongeBob the Musical this weekend!
On the Morning Thing Monday, Marcy Rinehart spoke with Zayden Luckmeier who is 13, in 7th grade at Fredericktown Middle School, and he playing Mr. Krabs.
He talks about how he’s been preparing for the role and how he’s been preparing for the role by watching a ton of SpongeBob and he throws some lines from what he’ll be saying.
For the show, Zayden’s costume will look like for the show to try and look the best like Mr. Krabs.
Things are heating up in Bikini Bottom—literally. When the residents find out a volcano is about to blow and wipe out their underwater town, SpongeBob and his crew have no choice but to team up and try to stop it. Just when it seems like there’s no hope left, an unlikely hero steps up. Turns out, a little optimism can go a long way—even when the whole ocean’s at risk.
September First Friday in downtown Mount Vernon focuses on education with Back-to-School night.
WNZR’s Marcy Rinehart spoke with Experience Mount Vernon’s Lacey Filkins about the happenings at the event including the “Are You Smarter than a 5h grader” contest between teachers and college administrators.
There will also be a street show from “Six Miles to Nellie,” food and fun!
Click HERE to learn more about September First Friday!
September First Friday’s theme is “Back to School”! MVNU Faculty members encourage you to join the focus on education in downtown Mount Vernon. Families are invited to participate in the education activity and department fair located in the Public Square. From 6pm to 9pm, you be able to visit multiple tables hosted by MVNU Departments. You and your kids will get the chance for hands-on learning and exploration. Find out more about MVNU and have some FUN this Friday 9/5 from 6pm – 9pm.
WNZR’s Marcy Rinehart talked with these professors: Click HERE to hear their conversations. Dr. Jose Oomman – Engineering – This department will offer tours of the newly renovated Hunter Wright Hub for Engineering and Computer Science. Stop by the basement of 18 East Vine Street. Dr. Jon Bosley – Environmental Biology – Stop by their table to see rocks, minerals, fossils, plants and other items related to biology. Dr. Dawn McKee – Communication Sciences and Disorders – Stop by and pick out a gently used book and a children’s book about stuttering. Find out about MVNU’s Speech Therapy Services. Dr. Rachel Young – Social Work – Their table will focus on self-care! Stop by to pick up your own self-care bag! Professor Amy Dubusky – Education – Stop by their table and make an origami bookmark. You can also sign up for a book giveaway and a book bundle. Dr. Deb Garee – Nursing – Stop by their table and pick up a sensory bag filled with health care items. They will also be giving away gently used children’s books.
Don’t forget to stop by Big Blue and see talk to students in the Communication & Media (Digital Media) Major. You can be part of a live broadcast, sign up for a great prize basket and sing our Birthday song!
We will see you and your family this Friday from 6pm – 9pm in downtown Mount Vernon!
WNZR joins MVNU’s celebration of New Student Move In Day. We talked with Campus leaders about this special day and their goals for the 2025-2026 Academic Year.
Rise and Shine 