Category: Spiritual Life

WNZR Through the Years: 1996–2005 — Growing the Lifeline

This week, as WNZR celebrates 40 years of being a Lifeline to Knox County, we’re taking a look back at the history that helped shape our station. On Tuesday, we revisited highlights from 1996-2005 in WNZR’s history! WNZR’s second 10 years on the air produced amazing people, programs, and moments that helped establish the station over the years.

Here are the milestones that we took a look at:

  • 1996 – Marcy Rinehart returned to WNZR as the new Station Manager.  A new morning show hit the airwaves called “Rinehart and Russell” – with Marcy and sophomore Mike Russell
  • 1997 – WNZR becomes an official partner of Food for the Hungry in December 1997.
  • Summer of 1999 – we had a studio renovation of our practice studio where MVNU broadcasting students go through their initial DJ training.
  • 2001 – WNZR participated in Ohio Family Fest – June 2001.  This activity was connected to the Focus on the Family National Bike Ride for the Family.  Molly Saunders, a WNZR listener participated in the ride!
  • 2001 – WNZR was the FIRST radio station in the country to be featured on Briargate Media’s website with station affiliates across the world.
  • November 2002 – WNZR’s tower took a massive lightning strike, which left us off the air for 2 days.
  • 2002 – Plus One Contest…we had a Luau Party and the Plus One members came. This was part of MVNU’s Homecoming 2002.
  • Summer 2002 – The WNZR website debuted.
  • October 1, 2003 – WNZR started our on-line broadcast ministry. You can hear WNZR live on www.wnzr.fm
  • December 2004 and January 2005 – THE BIG Studio renovation.  WNZR’s main studio for 90.9FM underwent a complete renovation.  This $30,000 renovation was made possible by listener support!  This change has given us a digital studio with the latest broadcast equipment and a state-of-the-art studio for our students.  Please stop by for a tour!
  • February 2005 – Joe Rinehart came to MVNU as the Director of Broadcasting and started a new show called “The Afternoon Drive”
  • July 2005 – WNZR created the official soundtrack for Mount Vernon’s Bicentennial fireworks display.  The soundtrack featured Bicentennial flashbacks highlighting the 200 year history of the city of Mount Vernon.  Station Manager, Marcy Rinehart served as an announcer for the city’s Bicentennial parade.
  • September 2005 – WNZR participates in “Cards for Katrina” – a nationwide campaign of Christian radio stations to collect gift cards for victims of Hurricane Katrina.
  •  October 2005 – WNZR coordinates a Knox County drive to support victims of Hurricane Katrina. “Knox County Makes A Difference” Over $7,000 was collected in one day. The event involved county-wide collection points, a full line-up of music at Riverside Park, kids’ games at Mount Vernon High School and a live broadcast with WNZR from City Hall. The event also featured a hog auction where a WNZR listener donated the pork that he won from WNZR at the Knox County Fair. This meat was auctioned off to give money to the effort.

We also hear from former WNZR employees and students who share memories and stories from their time at the station. Our guests today included Mitch Barber, Alan Reed, and Joe and Marcy Rinehart! Their conversations give us a glimpse into WNZR’s history and the impact the station had on the the people who helped build it. Join us as we celebrate the memories, people, and faithfulness of God that have been part of the WNZR story for four decades.

Click HERE to hear the full conversation with Mitch Barber!

Click HERE to hear the full conversation with Joe and Marcy RInehart!

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WNZR Celebrates 40 Years: Remembering our first 10 years on the air!

This week, as WNZR celebrates 40 years of being a Lifeline to Knox County, we’re taking a look back at the history that helped shape our station. On Monday, we revisited highlights from 1986-1995 in WNZR’s history! WNZR’s first 10 years on the air produced amazing people, programs, and moments that helped establish the station in its early years.

Here are the milestones that we took a look at:

  • Mount Vernon Nazarene College applied to the FCC for an educational, non-commercial broadcast license in 1982.
  • On January 21, 1986 – MVNC received the construction permit from the FCC.  The 300 foot tower was erected and the transmitter installed in April.  WNZR started to broadcast on 90.9FM in the Fall semester of 1986.
  • October 1, 1986 – is WNZR’s official birthday as stated in the FCC radio license. Today, 10/1/2025 – WNZR is celebrating 39 years in ministry
  • November 1993 – WNZR was presented with the Marconi award for format programming achievement from the Loyola Radio Conference. WNZR won the award by best reaching their target audience with the chosen format.
  • 1995 – WNZR became “The Lifeline”. The station held a campus-wide contest to find a logo that would bring this slogan to life. The early version of today’s logo was designed by an MVNU art student.

We also hear from former WNZR employees and students who share memories and stories from their time at the station. Our guests today included Bill Bridges, Alan Reed, and Jim and Jayme McMillian! Their conversations give us a glimpse into WNZR’s early days and the impact the station had on the the people who helped build it. Join us as we celebrate the memories, people, and faithfulness of God that have been part of the WNZR story for four decades.

Click HERE or on the picture link below to hear the full conversations!

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One Shoebox, A Life Changed Forever

WNZR talks with Jennifer Paxtle, whose life was changed by an Operation Christmas Child shoebox she received as a 10-year-old growing up in a small village in Hidalgo, Mexico.

Click HERE or on the picture link below to listen to the full conversation!

Jennifer remembers the excitement of opening her first Christmas gift and discovering special items, including a baby doll, school supplies, a Dora playset and a T-shirt that said “Kentucky.” But the shoebox contained something even more meaningful—the Gospel message and an introduction to the story of Jesus Christ.

Jennifer’s journey eventually brought her and her family to Kentucky, where she gave her life to Christ and was baptized alongside her mother. With the encouragement of people she met through church, Jennifer went on to earn bachelor’s and master’s degrees and now teaches high school Spanish in Richmond, Kentucky. Today, as a spokesperson for Operation Christmas Child, she shares her story to encourage others to pack shoeboxes, reminding them that even the smallest gift can create lasting memories and, more importantly, provide an opportunity to share the love of Jesus. Jennifer’s own story is a powerful example of how one simple shoebox can make a lasting and eternal difference.

Click HERE for more info on Operation Christmas Child!

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The Morning Thing Friday Favorites 7/17/26 – Camp Memories

Today for our Friday Favorites, The Morning Thing hosts shared their favorite camp memories.

Click HERE to hear from Marcy, Eric, Ethan, Daniel, and Olivia or click on the link below.

What memories do you have from your trip to summer camp? We hope it was life changing for you.

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Today is the National Day of Prayer!

Today is a special day for our community, and WNZR is honored to be part of it.

We’re teaming up with the Knox Network of Christian Ministries to make prayer a central focus throughout the day. From morning to evening, you’ll hear voices you know and trust—local pastors and ministry leaders—leading us in prayer at the top of each hour. It’s a simple but powerful way for all of us to pause, refocus, and come together in faith right where we are.

This year’s National Day of Prayer theme, “Glorify God Among the Nations – Seeking Him in All Generations,” reminds us that prayer connects us across every age, every background, and every corner of the world. The theme verse, 1 Chronicles 16:24, says: “Tell of His glory among the nations, His wonderful deeds among all the peoples.” It’s an invitation to not only pray, but to remember and share what God is doing.

And we’d love for you to be part of this day in a personal way. If you have a prayer request on your heart—or even a praise report you’d like to celebrate—you’re invited to share it with us. You can email wnzr@mvnu.edu or call 740-392-9090.

However you choose to join in, we hope you’ll take a few moments today to pray with us.

National Day of Prayer Schedule

12:30am – Kandee Popham, Place 4 Grace

1:30am – Marvin Haught, Brandon Baptist Church

2:30am – Troy McNichols, New Life Church of the Nazarene

3:30am – Andy Smith, New Life Community Church, Fredericktown

4:30am – Thom Collier, e-Merge Real Estate Champions and Chaplain

5:30am – Jess Kirby, Starting Point Pregnancy and Family Resource Center

6:30am – Captain Christine Moretz, Mount Vernon Salvation Army

7:30am – Marcy Rinehart, WNZR/MVNU

8:30am  – Jessica Reynolds, TouchPointe Community Resources

9:30am – Scott Sharpes, Lakeholm Church of the Nazarene

10:30am – Amy McDougale, The Least of These Ministry

11:30am – Jenn Furay, Starting Point Pregnancy and Family Resource Center

12:30pm – Carolyn Fergus, Knox County Interchurch Social Services

1:30pm –– Cody Blust, Faith Lutheran Church

2:30pm – Dave Mills, Mount Vernon Nazarene University

3:30pm – Mike McKinley, TouchPointe Community Resources

4:30pm – Dr. Carson Castleman, President Mount Vernon Nazarene University

5:30pm – Mount Vernon Mayor Dr. Matt Starr

6:30pm – Tim Stickle, Revive Knox County

7:30pm – Joe Rinehart from WNZR 90.9 FM/Mount Vernon Nazarene University

8:30pm – Joe Proudfoot, Mount Vernon FirstNaz

9:30pm – Richard Hite, Church on the Rise

10:30pm – David Carter, Child Evangelism Fellowship, former High School Guidance Counselor

11:30pm – Christopher Liberati, Gay Street United Methodist Church

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Rebekah Gregory shares her powerful story with WNZR!

Today on The Morning Thing, we were blessed with a conversation with Rebekah Gregory!

In 2013, Rebekah’s life was forever changed when she was a victim of the Boston Marathon bombing. Despite enduring severe injuries, including the amputation of her leg, Rebekah emerged as a symbol of hope and resilience. Rebekah is an advocate for trauma survivors and has dedicated her life to spreading a message of hope and empowerment.

She will be speaking at the 2026 Women’s Auxiliary Spring Conference. It will be Friday, April 17th and Saturday April 18th at MVNU! Join for an unforgettable weekend of encouragement, faith, and inspiration.

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What God says about your worth!

Today on The Morning Thing, we talked about worth in honor of National Each Person is a Person of Worth Day! Our hosts decided to dive into scripture to see exactly what God says about you and your worth.

In today’s world, it is important to remember that you are completely worthy in God’s eyes.

Click HERE to learn more about National Each Person is a Person of Worth Day and what it means!

Click HERE to view the passages from Psalm 139!

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Wired to Give: The Neuroscience and Spiritual Power of Generosity

We often think of generosity as something that benefits other people—and it absolutely does—but what’s fascinating is what it does to us. Neuroscience shows that when we give, our brains release powerful “feel-good” chemicals like dopamine, serotonin, and oxytocin. These neurotransmitters boost happiness, reduce stress, and deepen our sense of connection. Even more compelling, acts of generosity activate the brain’s reward center, the ventral striatum—the same area that lights up when we experience pleasure ourselves. In other words, we’re actually wired to give. It’s no accident that generosity feels good; it’s part of our design.

From a biblical perspective, this makes perfect sense. Scripture reminds us in Acts of the Apostles 20:35 that it is more blessed to give than to receive, and passages like 2 Corinthians 9:7 emphasize giving from a cheerful heart. Generosity isn’t about obligation—it’s about partnership with God. When we give intentionally and joyfully, we align ourselves with His design, strengthening trust, community, and spiritual fulfillment. Generosity transforms not only the lives of those we bless, but also our own hearts and minds in the process.

On the Morning Thing Wednesday, Marcy gave some of the Top 15 ways you can bless others including:

  • Practice Random Acts of Kindness
  • Give the Gift of Prayer
  • Give Unexpected Gifts
  • Offer a Helping Hand

Click HERE to read the full article from Dr. Michelle Bengston!

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