Faith Radio Ministry Magazine Aug -Oct 2023

In a world with more opportunities to connect than ever before, people are experiencing feelings of isolation at increasing rates. Studies show that we have an epidemic of loneliness and depression that is drastically affecting our society. It seems that the more “social” media becomes, the more alone people feel. The pandemic quarantines served only to accelerate these trends.

As believers, we can take comfort in knowing that we are never alone. Our God is with us. Indeed, a repeated theme throughout the Bible is the “withness” of God. We are told that He will never leave us or forsake us. In Psalm 139 the psalmist declares that we can never flee from His presence. We are indwelt with the very Spirit of God.

favorites

Here are some featured songs played on Faith Radio throughout our local music-oriented programs:

Big Daddy Weave Heaven Changes

Everything

Landry Cantrell What He Didn’t Do

Jimi Cravity featuring Victory Boyd As Me

Benjamin William Hastings

That’s the Thing About Praise

David Huff and James Bolton We Are

Matt Hybarger I Have Decided

Tasha Layton

Never

Iveth Luna

Just Like Jesus

MercyMe To Not Worship You

Katy Nichole Hold On

We can use the truth of the presence of God to fight loneliness in our own life, and we can use the promise of the presence of God to reach a lonely world around us.

Voices of Faith Radio

“God is more concerned with conforming me to the likeness of His Son than leaving me in my comfort zones. God is more interested in inward qualities than outward circumstances - things like refining my faith, humbling my heart, cleaning up my thought life and strengthening my character.”

-Joni Eareckson Tada

“God always has and always will look for men and women who say to Him, ‘I trust you so much, I’m all in. I want your way not mine. I am willing to live by faith!’ ”

- Chip Ingram

“I believe that our heavenly Father, our Savior, saved my mother from loneliness because of her daily walk with the Lord Jesus, He was the love of her life. I saw that in her life. It was her love for the Lord Jesus, with whom she walks every day, that made me want to love Him and walk with Him like that.”

- Anne Graham Lotz

“If you feel so lonely you could cry, take the focus off yourself. Think of how much God loves you, and find another person whom you can serve today.”

- David Jeremiah

“We can be tired, weary and emotionally distraught, but after spending time alone with God, we find that He injects into our bodies energy, power and strength.”

- Charles Stanley

“If you need encouragement, give it. If you need love, give it. Whatever you need, give it away.”

-Adrian Rogers

EXECUTIVE BOARD OF DIRECTORS:

Mark Williams President

Glenn Cook ....... Vice-President

Laurie Peterson ......... Secretary

John Lucas Treasurer

John Albritton, Jr. Director

Shan Stallings .............. Director

Mike Murphy ................. Director

Deanne Jones Director

Chad Smith Director

FAITH RADIO STAFF:

Russell Dean General Manager

Bob Crittenden

Director of Special Projects

Billy Irvin

Director of Ministry Relations

Wiely Boswell

Chief Engineer

Jeremy Smith

Operations Manager

Kim Sauce

Ministry Relations Assistant

Kelly Treadwell

Editor, Host of “FaithSongs”

Kim Hendrix

Host of “Shine”

CONTACT US:

Main Office Numbers

(334) 271-8900 or (800) 239-8900

Fax Number (334) 260-8962

Comment Line

(334) 271-8988

Mailing Address P.O. Box 210789

Montgomery, AL 36121 Website www.faithradio.org

E-mail Address mail@faithradio.org

A 501(c)(3) Ministry. Contributions from listeners are tax deductible.

CHRISTIAN COMMUNICATORS GATHER IN ORLANDO

By Billy Irvin, Director of Ministry Relations, and Bob Crittenden, Director of Special Projects

Faith Radio is pleased to be a member of National Religious Broadcasters (NRB), described on its website as “an international association of Christian communicators with more than 1,100 member organizations reaching millions of viewers, listeners, and readers. The Association exists to represent the Christian broadcasters’ right to communicate the Gospel of Jesus Christ to a lost and dying world.”

Each year, NRB hosts a convention, which gathers together people who are involved in sharing God’s truth through a variety of Christian media. Faith Radio sends a team of staff members in order to be encouraged and equipped as we fulfill our mission. Through personal interaction, helpful workshops and gatherings, and interviews at the Faith Radio booth in the Exhibit Hall, we are able to gather information about a variety of topics and to relay important developments to our audience.

According to the NRB website, over 4,000 people attended the event. The site quotes from NRB President and CEO Troy Miller, who said, “This event is all about equipping and empowering God’s people to carry the truth forward, and our Opening Session set the tone for an instrumental and

historic NRB Convention.” Franklin Graham, President and CEO of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association and Samaritan’s Purse, in his keynote address, warned those present to prepare for what he termed a “storm” that is coming.

Topics that were covered throughout the Convention included: the response of the pro-life movement in light of the Dobbs decision, the spread of the transgender movement, awareness of the “cancel culture,” and preparing for the future, including developing new strategies and responding to the rise of Artificial Intelligence.

A variety of speakers (see Meeting House article) discussed a wide number of issues, including the contrast between the Christian worldview and the philosophies of the world, most notably a growing proabortion, pro-LGBTQ mindset. Several guests emphasized the importance of sharing our faith in today’s culture and provided encouragement to continue to stand strong, even in the face of tremendous opposition.

The challenge and commitment for Faith Radio is to help strengthen and encourage you and prepare you Biblically for what is to come. Our presence at NRB is a powerful means to equip us to do that.

Photo courtesy of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association.

faces

The National Day of Prayer is an important day for our country and for our ministry. In addition to having pastors from all around the Faith Radio listening area leading in prayer throughout our broadcast day, we attend and participate in a number of events as we encourage our listeners to grow their faith through prayer!

There’s nothing like seeing children have an opportunity to go fishing!

Second Chance Ministries in Ariton hosted its annual Youth Fishing Day, and leader Boyd Deal invited Billy Irvin to share some truth from God’s word with the amazing young fishers.

We are thankful for any opportunity to encourage the body of Christ. Billy Irvin was blessed to share words of encouragement with a group of local ministers at the Montgomery Baptist Association’s Ministers Conference.

Gathering and praying for pastors is a priority of our ministry! Our annual gathering during Holy Week was well received and hosted by the MAP Center’s Ken Austin.

The Samaritan

Ministry in Montgomery provides uplifting prayer and ministry for families who find themselves in an unexpected crisis with a family member in the hospital. Billy Irvin was invited to share about God’s faithfulness when we experience a family crisis.

The men’s ministry at St. James Church in Montgomery invited Billy Irvin to enjoy a delicious steak while edifying these men about God’s unconditional love.

NRB is the world’s largest gathering of Christian communicators. Our ministry was well represented, and we enjoyed talking with many of the voices who share God’s word throughout the nation!

YOU ARE NOT

Alone

By Billy Irvin, Director of Ministry Relations

Our country is experiencing an epidemic of loneliness. Feelings of loneliness and isolation have been on the increase for years, but it spiked during the pandemic. A recent study found that over half of Americans consider themselves lonely on a regular basis. The rates are particularly high among young adults and the elderly. Loneliness has been defined by experts in psychology as a state of mind with the perception of being alone and isolated. Being lonely has been found to have the same public health effect as smoking 15 cigarettes per day!

While many in our culture today feel alone, we are not the first people in history to experience those emotions. We can look back to days in the Bible when people dealt with similar feelings. When you sense loneliness sweep in and begin to take control of your life, remember that others have walked through those valleys. King David often shared in the Psalms about feeling alone and isolated. Even King Jesus experienced loneliness! On the cross, He asked, “my God, why have you forsaken me?” Jesus was left alone in that moment so that we never have to be alone.

Hebrews

“…God says, ‘Never will I leave you; Never will I forsake you.’”

When I walk through deep waters

David Jeremiah shared recently on Faith Radio about all the different ways one might feel lonely. Some are the lonely single, who struggles with close relationships, while others might be the lonely spouse, who feels alone in their marriage. Some have lost their partner due to death or divorce. Others are entering a new stage of life and may be questioning their worth as they’re unable to do the things they used to do. Some people are suffering with pain, health issues or anxiety, and they feel like they are suffering alone. Even some are out on mission or serving as a Pastor, and they feel like a lonely Servant of God. David Jeremiah reminded us that it is not a sin to be alone. It is not a sin to experience loneliness. Loneliness becomes a sin when we fail to obey the word of God, which is given to us to help dispel the loneliness in our life.

Faith Radio Is WITH You

LISTEN TO FAITH RADIO . . helps you keep your mind on things above!

CALL US IF YOU NEED A PRAYER PARTNER . . .

we pray for and WITH lonely people almost daily!!

TAKE FAITH RADIO TO A FRIEND . . . take them a radio or show them how to tune in to our endless stream of biblical encouragement!

Because we know that loneliness is unavoidable, our best strategy is not to deny it, but to defeat it. At Faith Radio, we have tools to help you overcome loneliness. Our ministry is here to help you embrace intimacy with God, fill your heart with God’s Word, and activate your network to Christian friends. Faith Radio wants to help you expand your prayer life as you call out to the Lord. Our 24/7 broadcast allows you the opportunity to meditate on God’s Word as you stay connected to Him and focus on Jesus. Every week, our ministry hears from listeners who testify how important our ministry is to them. We broadcast the love of Jesus all day, every day so that we can fill those moments of silence and loneliness with God’s presence. Emmanuel, God with us. The Lord is with us every moment of every day so we are never alone. We can withstand the valleys of life because we have a God who stands with us.

I know that You will be with me

When I’m standing in the fire

I will not be overcome Through the valley of the shadow

I will not fear

I am not alone

I am not alone

You will go before me

You will never leave me

Kari Jobe

You Are Not Alone

FAITH RADIO PROVIDES ENCOURA GE MENT

Faith Radio offers many avenues to find encouragement in times of loneliness. Scan the QR code for the full messages of hope.

Because we know that loneliness is unavoidable, our best strategy is not to deny it, but to defeat it. There are three tactics Christians can employ to overcome loneliness:

1. Embrace Intimacy with God

2. Allow God’s Word to Fill Your Heart and Mind

3. Activate Your Network of Christian Friends

Nicole C Mullen, author of My Redeemer Lives: It’s Personal (A Story of Hope for Our Time)

I’ve gone through night seasons . . . I know what it’s like to be physically abused, I know what it’s like to be betrayed, I know what it’s like to have my heart broken, but I also know what it’s like that in the midst of those seasons to have Christ show up and Christ to not only sing over you but to sing through you. And so, I’m able to stand on platforms these days and testify as to what God has done in my life, not just what He’s done on stage, not just the accolades and the Grammy nominations and the Dove Awards and traveling around the world; not just that, but how He’s met me in my home, how He’s met me in my heart, and how He’s redeemed other areas of my life as well.

I asked God…”why me, why now?” I felt like He was punishing me and taking away my eyesight, and my husband couldn’t handle that trauma in our marriage, either, so he decided . . . to find somebody else, so there I was a mom by myself with my three little guys, unable to see, and I think a lot of times even today people feel that sense of hopelessness . . .

A friend invited me to a Christian Church . . . I heard God’s Word, but I heard it with my heart for the first time and everything changed . . . [God] was saying to seek Him first and that’s when I began to seek Him by listening to the Bible in audio; I was [hearing] each verse that just felt like He was speaking to me personally. So, what changed was not my eyesight; He didn’t give me my physical sight back, but He gave me the way to see Him with the eyes of my heart.

Janet Perez Eckles, author of Now I See: How God’s Amazing Grace Transforms Betrayal, Blindness, and Heartache to Shining Joy

PRAY WITH US

We are your prayer partner. Please let us know how we can pray for you! Will you pray for us too?

We ask that you would pray with us about God enlarging our territory. Our Board of Directors is prayerfully considering an opportunity God may have for us in the Mobile, Alabama, area. Thank you for praying for us!

OCTOBER IS PASTOR AND STAFF APPRECIATION MONTH!

While we should pray and care for our pastors yearround, October has been set aside as a special month to focus on expressing appreciation for pastors and staff. Faith Radio has some ideas to help honor your pastor and staff during the month of October!

Send a postcard to your pastor or church leader that says “You Are Appreciated!” by filling out the form at faithradio.org.

Give a monetary gift in honor of your pastor or staff member by calling (800) 239-8900 or visiting our website at faithradio.org.

Explore creative ideas to honor your pastor or staff member at faithradio.org.

SNAPSHOTS OF CHRIST IN THE CULTURE

Faith Radio goes on-site at NRB Convention

by Bob Crittenden, host of The Meeting House

Christians recognize that after we have come to know Christ and are bornagain, spiritual growth is paramount. We should always be growing in the Lord, and Faith Radio is devoted to offering solid Bible teaching and uplifting music so that your daily walk with Him can be strengthened.

We also recognize that we have a responsibility to demonstrate through our words and deeds that Christ lives in us. We are not to isolate from the culture, but to be salt and light. Guests at what I call, Faith Radio/ Meeting House Media Central at the 2023 National Religious Broadcasters Convention in Orlando, discussed a wide variety of issues relating to our faith personally and culturally.

Two voices you hear on Faith Radio, Barry Meguiar (Ignite America) and John Sorenson (Evangelism Explosion International, Share Life Today) emphasized the importance of sharing our faith. Another Faith Radio voice, Jeff Schreve (From His Heart),

discussed what it looks like to live according to God’s truth.

Meeting House guests covered a variety of topic areas: Jeff Myers of Summit Ministries and Brandon Showalter of The Christian Post brought a Biblical, insightful update regarding the advancement of the transgender agenda and the pushback against it. David Closson of Family Research Council provided Biblical comments on God’s plan for sexuality and addressed matters related to gender.

At the 2023 NRB Convention, Bob interviewed two “titans” who have been so influential on the history and content the Convention: Ted Baehr (L) of Movieguide and Phil Cooke (R) of the Cooke Media Group.

In an interview with Troy Miller, who leads NRB, he cited the trend of Christians facing opposition in the corporate sector. This was addressed by several guests, including Sam

Jeff Schreve

Brandon Showalter and Jeff Myers

Brownback, whose organization, the National Committee for Religious Freedom, experienced its bank account being closed without explanation. The issue of faith-based organizations not having access to assets is one area of concern.

Freedom to express one’s faith in the workplace is another area of concern. Star Parker of the Center for Urban Renewal and Education, or CURE, also addressed the chilling effect of “cancel culture” for people of faith who do not adhere to a worldly agenda that contradicts Scripture.

Jeremy Tedesco of Alliance

Defending Freedom highlighted its Viewpoint Diversity Score, measuring

a corporation’s commitment to free speech and religious freedom in the workplace. Yet another trouble spot which he, as well as Shana Burt of Financial Issues, discussed is the proliferation of ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance), in which companies that don’t reflect a particular agenda could face financial retribution (which presents a real challenge for companies and consumers who possess a Biblical worldview).

As John Fuller of Focus on the Family reminded us in our conversation at NRB, it is important to be faithful to the Lord, even in a culture that does not reflect our Christian beliefs.

gifts in memory and in honor of...

A memorial gift is a meaningful way to honor someone at the time of death by recognizing that person’s Christian faith and testimony. Similarly, an honorarium is a tangible way of honoring a living person’s testimony. We are thankful for individuals listed below who choose to honor friends and loved ones through a gift that extends the message of Christ through Faith Radio’s ministry.

Gifts made as of June 28, 2023

IN MEMORY

Billy Price Arrighi, Sr.

David & Alicia Robertson, Montgomery

Cad & Jan Beale, Equality

Leonard F. Borowski

Virginia Borowski, Opelika

Brown Bryars

Mary Helen & Ross Cotter, Enterprise

Louise C. Byrd

Sharon Owen, Andalusia

Barbara Chandler

Clayton Spencer, Billingsley

Gordon A. Clements

Saralee C. Green, Montgomery

Henry Hammond Cobb, III

David & Alicia Robertson, Montgomery

Mary DeShon

Jimmy DeShon, Deatsville

Myrna Edgar

Neal & Cathy Dingman, Millbrook

Pete Edwards

Mrs. Pete Edwards, Selma

Scott Ellis

Gail & Phillip Jones, Andalusia

Emily Lauren Fike

Don & Kristie Stephens, Opelika

Joshua Michael Fike

Don & Kristie Stephens, Opelika

Ramona Gaddy

Billy & Gisele Echols, Wetumpka

Letitia J. Gibbs

Sharon Rice, Montgomery

Jeanette & Robert Gibson

Yvonne Willis, Montgomery

Liz Glass

Wayne & Debbie Moore, Tyler

Zack Godwin

Ronny & Martha Duke, Tallassee

Byron Golden

George T. Moore, Montgomery

J. Ewell Green

Saralee C. Green, Montgomery

Harley Green

P.J. McClung, Andalusia

Sara Charles Gross

Bert & Betty Hutchison, Montgomery

Oakleigh Hayes

Slade & Alissa Parrish, Pike Road

Pete Hilyer

Clayton Spencer, Billingsley

Tony Holmes

Gail & Phillip Jones, Andalusia

Claudene Howard

Linda Golden, Wetumpka

Rev. Leonard Howard –Honoring Our Same Birthdays!

Carlyn S. Howell, Prattville

Mr. Bert Hughes, Jr.

Gene & Charlotte Brown, Montgomery

Donald Hutto

Gail & Phillip Jones, Andalusia

gifts in memory and in honor of...

Carolyn Jackson

Perry & Judy Hooper, Pike Road

Alec Seth Johnson

Kathy Jennings, Rockford

Ashton & Myrtle Johnson

Richard & Annette Johnson, Midway

JoAnne Jones

Mark & Kellie Kelley, Elba

Naomi Kelly

Otha Kelly, Alexander City

Walter Barnett King Sr.

Troy Post Office Employees

Willie & June Taylor, Luverne

Twyla Godwin, Brantley

Violet Shelton, Troy

Bill Lambert

Eddie & Robin Stewart, Montgomery

Andrew Lay

Joan Johnson, Prattville

Mr. James Lofton

Ricky & Amanda Harrelson, Andalusia

Dudley C. Maddox

Gloria Riley, Andalusia

Ken McAliley

Gene & Cindy Bonner, Pike Road

Martha Sue McCorkle

Perry & Judy Hooper, Pike Road

Patricia McDaniel

Troy Post Office Employees

Kappes McGough

Ava Garmon, Montgomery

Perry & Judy Hooper, Pike Road

Theodore “Pa” Meinhardt

Charles & Julie Sasscer, Cottondale, FL

James “Jim” Middlebrooks

Mr. & Mrs. Charles Knight, Deatsville

Janie Mims

Annie Gibson, Union Springs

Thad Morgan

Mary Helen & Ross Cotter, Enterprise

Chad Morriss

Slade & Alissa Parrish, Pike Road

Pat & Joe Watkins, Montgomery

Stephen A Myers

Grady & Kristin Myers, Wetumpka

Judith Kyser Nulph

Carol Oswalt, Montgomery

Verdie Mae Nummy

Rick & Pam Lance, Montgomery

Bill Pace

Clayton Spencer, Billingsley

George & Barbara Bass, Prattville

Will Parrish

Ed & Sharon Cleveland, Pike Road

Don & Kristie Stephens, Opelika

Sylvia Phelps

Gail & Phillip Jones, Andalusia

Mr. L. P. Pollard

Diane & John Henig, Montgomery

Kenton Poole

Gail & Phillip Jones, Andalusia

Rodney & Diane Powell

Ronny & Martha Duke, Tallassee

John Law Robinson

Gail & Phillip Jones, Andalusia

Sandy Robinson

P.J. McClung, Andalusia

Rev. Danny W. Rogers, Sr. Joy Rogers, Elmore

Will Romanowski

Gene & Charlotte Brown, Montgomery

Wayne Russell

Pat & Joe Watkins, Montgomery

Harold Sears

Janet Leigh Little, Eclectic

Billy Self

Gary & Debbie Self, Ozark

Jim Sickler

Mary Helen & Ross Cotter, Enterprise

Haywood Mal Sport

Bill & Ellie Ficken, Montgomery

Jeff Stabler

Bubba & Marian Skipworth, Auburn

Betty Terry

Gene & Cindy Bonner, Pike Road

Matthew Scott Tribby, Jr.

Paul & Claudette Tribble, Pike Road

Patricia Turner

Lee Ann & Danny Clements, Montgomery

Howard Verner

Kevin & Lana Spivey, Clayton

Mr. & Mrs. Milton Wendland

Clayton Spencer, Billingsley

Mrs. Yvonne White

Beverly P. Ming, Letohatchee

Jim Wilson III

Perry & Judy Hooper, Pike Road

Mark & Eegee Williams, Pike Road

Don Woodall

CJ & Penny Griffith, Millbrook

Aline Barfoot, Pike Road

Mr. John Yelverton, Jr.

Gene & Charlotte Brown, Montgomery

IN HONOR

Elaine Adams

Kellie W. Kelley, Elba

Bonnie Atcheson Anonymous

Buck Buchanan

Lindsey Whisonant, Hoover

Lela Ann Dyess

Scooter Dyess & Lori Ann Shamblin, Montgomery

Faith Radio Staff

Geraldine Cole, Deatsville

Inez Hall, Opp

Flowers Hospital- Digestive Specialists Outpatient TeamDr. Nelson, Kia, Mandy, Laurie & Ashley

Beverly Helms, Bonifay

Savannah Goodman

Jennie Goodman, Bonifay, FL

Carlyn Howell, Prattville

Hazel Griffin

Ziba & Pennye Anderson, Andalusia

Dr. Dale Huff

Ron & Catherine Moore, Montgomery

Sue & Gus McLendon

Roy & Angie Newman, Auburn

Melissa Northcutt

Cecil Spear, Auburn

Melanie Pace

William & Diane McCrary, Montgomery

My Siblings: Buddy, Rita, Jean

Gloria

Janice Poage

William Poage, Elmore

Jesse Poage

William Poage, Elmore

Rev. & Mrs. Dewayne Rembert

Innes McIntyre, Montgomery

Clayton Spencer

Linda J. Plaster, Wetumpka

Reverend & Mrs. Will Spivey

Mr. & Mrs. Innes Thornton McIntyre, Montgomery

Eddie Stewart

Bill & Diane McCrary, Montgomery

Fran Tisdale

Sam & Sandra Carnes, Montgomery

Joe & Pat Watkins

Innes McIntyre, Montgomery

Susan West

Bill & Diane McCrary, Montgomery

Mr. & Mrs. James L. Whitehead

Lindora W. Snyder, Montgomery

Rev. & Mrs. Jay Wolf

Innes T. McIntyre, Montgomery

SHINE FOR JESUS

by Billy Irvin, Director of Ministry Relations

While the world would tell you that these are not the best days for fundraising and charity donations, we see these days as tremendously important opportunities to support the sharing of God’s truth. In a day of chaos, Faith Radio is here to help you focus on God’s promised and constant presence. Our world desperately needs to hear the truth now more than ever, and we need your help to stay strong in our message.

When you financially partner with our ministry, you are helping others to know and grow in the Lord. We trust that God will move the hearts of His people to do more for Him in a time when our world shouts to do less. You can help shine for Jesus as you use His gifts to you to build His Kingdom.