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!

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!

Through Loss and Faithfulness: The Heart Behind ‘God Did It’ and WNZR’s Theme for Lifeline 2026

There’s something special about a song that doesn’t just sound good—but means something deeply personal. For Micah Tyler, that’s exactly what this year’s Lifeline theme song, “God Did It,” represents.

Micah tells WNZR’s Ethan Hershberger that the heart behind the song is simple, but powerful—God loves it when we remember. Remember His faithfulness. Remember His provision. Remember what He’s brought us through

Click HERE to hear the full conversation!

And for Micah, that remembering has taken on a whole new depth this past year.

He shares openly about walking through the heartbreaking loss of his little brother, Daniel. In the middle of grief, questions, and pain, Micah says he has seen God remain steady and faithful. That’s not just a lyric—it’s his reality. “God Did It” became a way to mark those moments… to look back and say, even here, even now—God was working.

That’s why this year’s Lifeline theme verse hit him so hard.

Micah admits he was honestly taken aback when he first heard it. It wasn’t just a nice verse—it felt personal. Like a reminder placed directly in his path at just the right time. The kind of reminder that says, “You’re not alone in this story.”

And that leads right into one of the most meaningful lines in the song:
“New mercies each morning, re-writing my story.”

For Micah, those words are a daily reset.

They remind him that no matter the struggle—or even the mistakes we’ve made—God is still writing something good. The story isn’t over. There’s still purpose. There’s still a plan. And there’s still grace for today.

Looking ahead, Micah says his prayer is simple but focused. He wants to stay centered on the mission. Not the platform. Not the numbers. Not even the music itself.

It’s about lifting up the name of Jesus in everything he does.

That perspective didn’t just appear overnight. It was shaped over time—going all the way back to his days as a youth pastor. Micah remembers encouraging students to be intentional about what they listened to, filling their lives with music that pointed them toward God.

And then something unexpected happened—God opened doors.

What started with local Christian radio eventually led to more stations, more listeners, and ultimately a record deal in Nashville. It’s a journey that makes you think of the parable in Matthew Chapter 13—the farmer scattering seeds. Micah sees Christian radio, including stations like WNZR, as part of that process. Planting seeds. Not always seeing the immediate results, but trusting that God is working beneath the surface.

And sometimes… those seeds grow in ways we never expect.

Micah shared a story that puts everything into perspective. A woman, feeling completely alone and abandoned, found herself at a breaking point. But in that moment, she heard something on the radio. A song. A message. A reminder that she wasn’t forgotten.

That moment changed everything.

She chose life—for herself and her unborn baby.

Stories like that are why Micah does what he does. Sure, people may compliment the music or his voice—but that’s not what drives him. It’s moments like those. Lives changed. Hope restored.

Because at the end of the day, the message is bigger than the music.

And if you ask Micah, it all comes back to one simple truth:

God did it!

Click HERE to learn more about WNZR!

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!

WNZR’s Meet the Staff Monday with Anna Boynton

Meet Anna Boynton, one of the newest voices you’ll hear on WNZR!

Click HERE to hear the full conversation between Anna and WNZR’s Marcy Rinehart!

Anna grew up in Grove City, but five years ago her family made the move to Mount Vernon. Coming to Mount Vernon Nazarene University (MVNU) felt like a natural step—her family are alumni, and she strongly felt that God was leading her here. Now, as a true freshman majoring in Communication: Digital Media (with some CCP experience already under her belt), she’s diving right in.

Interestingly, Anna wasn’t always sure about joining the station. She was a little skeptical at first—but that quickly changed. What started as uncertainty has turned into a truly enjoyable experience. She’s currently an on-air DJ and is also exploring other ways to get involved around campus as she finds her footing.

One of her favorite memories so far? Serving as a runner during Food for the Hungry. She loved getting to meet generous donors on Drive Day and seeing firsthand how the community comes together to make a difference. Those moments left a big impression on her.

When it comes to music, Anna’s top pick is for King & Country. She’s even seen them live in concert! Two of her favorite songs are Priceless and God Only Knows—both meaningful tracks that she keeps on repeat.

Outside the studio, Anna loves ice cream (especially Graeter’s Black Raspberry Chocolate Chip), spending time with friends, and working on photography. She enjoys heading out into nature to capture beautiful moments through her lens. Above all, she says her favorite people in the world are her parents, whose love and support mean everything to her.

Having moved several times—including living in Missouri—Anna reflects on how those transitions, along with homeschooling and CCP classes during high school, have shaped her. She feels that God has been teaching her patience and what it means to let Him take control. Her favorite Bible verse, John 14:27, reminds her daily to rest in God’s peace:

“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” – John 14:27

You can catch Anna on air every Tuesday from 10 a.m. to noon!

Click HERE to learn more about WNZR!

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!

Signs God Is Opening a Door

Things morning we shared an article from iBelieve about how to tell if God is opening a door for you or if it is the devil tempting you. This is a hard thing to navigate so we wanted to help you out by sharing 9 Signs That God is Opening a Door.

  1. Opportunity Backed by Scripture
  2. Answered Prayer
  3. Confirmation from Wise Counsel
  4. Discomfort in Your Current Situation

Here are just a few but you can read all 9 by clicking HERE.

How to Seek God’s Will

Today we talked about seeking the will of God in our daily life. We know that everyone struggles with this so we wanted to help you out!! Thank you to Cru for this great resource!

Here are Six Principles to help you seek God’s will…

  1. Surrender Your Personal Desires
  2. Meditate on God’s Word
  3. Spend Focused Time in Prayer
  4. Seek Other People’s Advice
  5. Consider Your Circumstances
  6. Think Through Your Decision Logically

Read the full article HERE.

Stress Awareness Day

We all get stressed every now and then but most of the time it’s because we are not focusing on what is important, Jesus. When we focus on Jesus our stress won’t magically go away but we can remember that we don’t have to go through it alone. This morning we talked about “Seven Ways to Keep Your Focus on Jesus” from All Things Life. To read the full article click HERE.

Here are some of the ways we talked about…

  • Set aside alone time with Him each day.
  • Worship Music
  • Post It Notes
  • Add Scriptures to Your Phone

We also talked about 20 Calming Bible Verses for Worry, Stress, and Anxiety. This article is from Homemade Lovely. To read all 20 verses click right HERE.

Here are a couple of verses we shared this morning…

  • Psalm 16:8 “I have set the Lord always before me. Because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken.”
  • Psalm 23:4  “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.”
  • Psalm 46:10  “Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations,  I will be exalted in the earth!”

Teach Your Kids to be Grateful

Today on the Morning Thing, in preparation for Thanksgiving, we talked about how to teach your kids to be grateful. Parents, it starts with you. Model this for your kids and turn them to God, the ultimate model for how we should live our lives. Check it out HERE. As always, thanks for listening!

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