Tag: Christianity

WNZR Senior Spotlight: Isaiah Clark

It’s Senior’s Week at Mount Vernon Nazarene University, and WNZR is celebrating the grads who have been part of the station along the way.

WNZR’s Eric Brown caught up with Isaiah Clark, a graduating student earning his associate degree in Communications and Media.

Click HERE to hear the full conversation!

Isaiah is from Butler, Ohio, and says MVNU had always been on his radar. His dad is a graduate, and growing up, Isaiah spent time on campus attending different events. When he heard about the communications program, it felt like a natural fit—even though he admits he wasn’t exactly sure what he wanted to do at first.

That started to change during his freshman year. After taking Intro to Radio, Isaiah was on the air the very next semester. He says if he could go back and do it all over again, he would in a heartbeat.

During his time with WNZR, Isaiah stayed busy. He worked as an on-air DJ, helped with the video crew, and was involved with Lifeline. Along the way, he learned how to communicate, work as a team, and help run events and fundraisers.

One of his favorite memories is Lifeline itself. Isaiah says the support from upperclassmen and seniors made a big difference, helping calm nerves and build confidence as he stepped into that experience.

Another standout moment goes back to his freshman year during Homecoming weekend. Isaiah helped with eight different events and had the chance to connect with alumni—something he says helped him feel even more a part of the MVNU community.

Looking ahead, Isaiah says he would love to pursue something in journalism or sports photography. He enjoys writing and telling stories, and as he takes the next step, he simply asks for prayer and clarity about what’s ahead.

Click HERE to learn more about WNZR!

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Ben Fuller Talks Faith, Struggles, and The Black Sheep Tour

When Ben Fuller talks about his Black Sheep Tour, there’s one thing that stands out right away—he doesn’t pretend to have it all figured out.

In a recent conversation with WNZR’s Ethan Hershberger, Fuller described each night of the tour as something like “Christmas morning.” Not because of the lights or the music, but because he genuinely doesn’t know what God is going to do. And honestly, that’s what excites him most.

Click HERE to hear the full conversation!

“It’s like, okay God, have your way… this is your show,” Fuller said. “He pours His Spirit out differently in every city.”

That mindset shapes everything about The Black Sheep Tour. It’s not just another concert—it’s a night designed for people who feel like they don’t quite fit. The outsiders. The ones carrying heavy stories. The ones who might not even be sure they belong in a church setting.

That message is especially clear in his song “Black Sheep.” It’s raw. It’s honest. And by his own admission, it’s not the kind of song people expected to hear on Christian radio. But that’s exactly why it’s connecting.

People hear it and think, that’s my life. Struggles with addiction. Family pain. Questions about faith. Fuller doesn’t shy away from any of it—because that’s where he says God met him.

After years of battling drugs, alcohol, and hopelessness, Fuller describes encountering God in a way that changed everything. He compares it to the feeling of taking off heavy football pads after a long, exhausting game—suddenly, you can breathe again. There’s a lightness. A freedom.

And that’s the experience he hopes people find on this tour.

In fact, he had a simple challenge for listeners in Lancaster: if there’s someone in your life you’ve been thinking about inviting to church… this is the night to do it.

“This is going to be church, but not church,” he said. “God is going to meet that person in that place.”

Beyond the stage, Fuller also spoke about the role Christian radio played in his own journey. Long before he gave his life to Christ, songs were already reaching him—planting seeds he didn’t even realize were there at the time. Now, he sees it clearly: God was speaking, even then.

That same authenticity is something he believes is growing across Christian music today—artists being more real, more open, and more willing to tell the full story.

And that’s exactly what you can expect from The Black Sheep Tour.

Ben Fuller will be in Lancaster on Sunday, April 19th at Fairfield Christian Church. The night will also feature special guest Reeves, with music that’s honest, encouraging, and full of hope. Doors open at different times depending on your ticket, and the concert begins at 7pm.

Click HERE to find out more about the Black Sheep Tour!

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FirstNaz of Mount Vernon’s Executive Pastor Mark Owen on Trusting God and Letting Go of Fear

Sometimes the biggest lessons in life are the simplest ones—trust God, don’t be afraid, and let Him lead.

That’s what Executive Pastor Mark Owen of FirstNaz of Mount Vernon shared in a recent conversation with WNZR’s Zane Menzie.

Click HERE to hear the full conversation!

Mark talked about how God has been faithful in his life, reminding him that there’s no need to fear. Instead, he’s learned to leave everything in God’s hands and trust that He will follow through on His promises. For Mark, it comes down to something simple but powerful—God is true to His word, and all we need to do is ask.

Part of that journey took him away from Mount Vernon for a time, living in Cincinnati and serving as a part-time worship pastor. During that season, it became clear that God was calling him to pursue worship as a full-time path, and that became evident to him over time.

Now back in Mount Vernon, Mark sees how God has been at work in his story all along.

He also shared something else God has been teaching him—people aren’t drawn to faith by something we create. It’s not about what can be manufactured. Instead, it’s God who draws people to Himself.

Even in a world filled with misinformation and mistrust, Mark says he still sees a hunger for truth. And for him, that truth is found in the Bible. It’s a reminder that while everything else may change, God does not.

And through it all, Mark says God continues to prove faithful.

Click HERE to learn more about WNZR!

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MVNU President Shares Perspective on Lifeline 2026

When Dr. Carson Castleman, President of Mount Vernon Nazarene University, talked with WNZR’s Ethan Hershberger about Lifeline 2026, the conversation centered on a simple theme: giving God the credit.

Click HERE to hear the full conversation!

Dr. Castleman shared how the song “God Did It!” speaks to him. He said it’s a reminder that God is in and through all things, and that everything ultimately points back to Him. He connected that idea to Psalm 115:1: “Not to us, Lord, not to us but to your name be the glory, because of your love and faithfulness.” For Dr. Castleman, that message calls him to humility and to recognize God’s faithfulness.

He also talked about his own journey, saying that God is rewriting his story each day. He emphasized that he isn’t held to past failures, but instead sees each day as a renewed opportunity to continue forward.

That same perspective carries into his view of MVNU. Dr. Castleman said the campus is continuing to be shaped and that its mission—who MVNU is and why it exists—is becoming clearer. He noted that the university is growing and pointed to God as the reason for that growth.

Looking ahead, he said he would like to see God continue to have His hand on MVNU and that it would be evident. He also expressed a desire that gatherings on campus would reflect God’s presence.

Dr. Castleman also spoke about the impact of WNZR. He described the station as a gift in his life and said it has helped redirect his focus toward what’s important.

He added that Christian radio can be a quiet way to bring hope and truth into places people can’t physically go, and that God is present in those places as well.

For Dr. Castleman, that’s part of what Lifeline 2026 represents—continuing that work and pointing people back to God.

Click HERE to learn more about WNZR!

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WNZR’s Meet the Staff Monday with Brock Hankins

This week’s Meet the Staff Monday on WNZR features Sophomore/Junior, Brock Hankins.

Click HERE to hear the full conversation!

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!

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A New Beacon for Families: Inside Mount Vernon’s Salvation Army Learning Lighthouse

Captain Christine Moretz of The Salvation Army in Mount Vernon is excited to share news about a long-awaited project that’s finally becoming a reality — the brand-new Learning Lighthouse.

She spoke to WNZR’s Marcy Rinehart about what started back in 2017 as a vision to better serve the community and expand social services has now grown into a place designed to meet one of Mount Vernon’s biggest needs: quality childcare.

Click HERE to hear the full conversation!

The Learning Lighthouse reflects the same mission as The Salvation Army itself: “to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ and meet human needs in His name, without discrimination, upholding the dignity of all people.” Simply put, this new space allows that mission to continue in a very practical way. The Lighthouse will provide a safe, nurturing environment for children from as young as six weeks old through 5th grade, offering both childcare and opportunities to learn about Christ.

Captain Moretz walked through the journey of bringing the Lighthouse to life, from early planning to construction and staffing. Ground was broken in 2024, and the building is now in its final stages, with just a few finishing touches left. The official opening will be Monday, January 26, with a dedication and ribbon-cutting ceremony scheduled for Sunday, January 18 at 2 p.m., followed immediately by a dedication service.

Once open, the Learning Lighthouse will serve up to 112 children, offering not only childcare but also meaningful programs that support families and help children grow in a loving, faith-centered environment. Captain Moretz shared how this project has shaped her personally, especially in learning more about childcare, trusting God fully, and depending on Him through every phase of the process.

She also spoke warmly about her team, expressing gratitude for their dedication and support. While challenges came along the way, she credits the strength of the team and her faith for helping her stay focused on doing good and not growing weary.

Thanks to incredible community support, $5.4 million has already been raised toward the project’s just-over-$6-million total cost. The team even came in under budget, though they are still working to raise the remaining $649,000 needed to fully complete the project. Captain Moretz continues to ask for prayers and community support as they move toward the finish line.

She extends a heartfelt thank you to everyone who has helped make the Learning Lighthouse possible and looks forward to thanking supporters in person during Sunday’s dedication ceremony. The community is warmly invited to attend and celebrate this milestone together.

Click HERE to stay connect on Facebook!

Click HERE to visit their website!

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Answering the tough questions

Have you ever been asked a question about your faith? Have you struggled to find a good answer? On Thursday’s show, The Morning Thing shared insight from author and speaker, Josh McDowell about how to speak up for your beliefs.

Click HERE and check out Josh McDowell’s website as you search for answers on these questions.

Find other Free Resources.

 

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