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Gospel ladies take center stage!

Today’s artist news features notes about two powerful voices in contemporary gospel music! Read more about these stories from our friends at JesusFreakHideout.com by clicking the artist’s names in the story.

Motown Gospel—part of Capitol Christian Music Group, Capitol Records, and Universal Music Group—just signed GRAMMY-nominated artist Koryn Hawthorne, kicking off an exciting new chapter for one of Gospel music’s most powerful contemporary voices.

You may remember her from her amazing duets with Matt Maher, Lecrae. Natalie Grant and Danny Gokey, including “How Great” and “We All Need Jesus.”

The announcement comes as Koryn gets ready to drop new music and step into a fresh creative season. This fall, she’ll release her first project with Motown Gospel, promising a fresh, elevated sound while staying rooted in the faith-centered message that’s made Koryn stand out.

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18-time GRAMMY® Award-winning icon CeCe Winans is bringing her acclaimed Christmas tour to the West Coast for the first time in over a decade. Joined by special guests and her sisters Angie Winans and Debbie Winans, Christmas with CeCe Winans will visit six cities this December for an evening of beloved Christmas classics, worship favorites, and songs from throughout CeCe’s celebrated career.

The West Coast Christmas tour is not all. CeCe will also co-headline the highly anticipated Christmas Together tour alongside Amy Grant and Michael W. Smith. The tour will feature an evening of holiday favorites, career-spanning hits, and moments of worship as three of Christian music’s most beloved artists come together.  They kick off this tour on Friday, November 27 in Columbus at the Schottenstein Center.

This one was a STUMPER last week:

When all I’m holding onto is a promise

God, You promised that You’ll never leave me

When I’m scared of the dark, You’re right there with me

Your kindness never fails, it’s always reaching after me

Congratulations to Jon from Mount Vernon – he correctly guessed Honest by Leanna Crawford and wins TWO $5 gift cards to Watts Restaurant un Utica!

Thanks for listening!
– Joe

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The Rock doesn’t move, but it does cry out!

Mystery Monday and Monday Motivations here on The Afternoon Drive…

Daniel: Things have been moving a lot for me lately, a lot of changes around my life. My sister bought a house, my younger siblings are growing up and getting ready for adulthood, my brother is trying to get a job, and I have big expenses coming up, like an upcoming college payment; I need to find a new car plus a few other big expenses. Can life just stay still? It can kinda feel like quicksand sometimes.

Today is International Rock Day, and it had me thinking about rocks a bit. What is a rock? It’s solid, it’s immovable, sturdy, unshakeable, and most importantly, it’s what God tells us he is. David and Jesus both talked about it.

Psalm 18:2 (ESV): “The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.”

Psalm 62:6 (KJV): “He only is my rock and my salvation: he is my defence; I shall not be moved.”

“Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock.” Matthew 7:24

Life can be a bit shaky, but God never is. He is always going to be there; he’s always going to make sure that we stay steady during life’s challenges.

Joe: CeCe Winans’ song “That’s My King” was inspired by the famous sermon called “That’s My King. Do You Know Him?” by S.M. Lockridge, the Pastor of Calvary Baptist Church, San Diego, in 1976.

Here are some excerpts:

“The Bible says my King is a seven-way king..
He’s the King of the Jews; that’s a racial king..
He’s the King of Israel; that’s a national King.. He’s the King of Righteousness.
He’s the King of the Ages..
He’s the King of Heaven.
He’s the King of Glory.
He’s the King of Kings, and He’s the Lord of Lords.
That’s my King. Well. I wonder, do you know Him?”

David said, (Psalm 19) “The Heavens declare the glory of God and the firmament shows His handiwork. My King is a sovereign King. No means of measure can define His limitless love. No far-seeing telescope can bring into visibility the coastline of His shoreless supply. No barrier can hinder Him from pouring out His blessings.

He’s enduringly strong. He’s entirely sincere. He’s eternally steadfast. He’s immortally graceful. He’s imperially powerful. He’s impartially merciful.

Do you know Him?

He’s the greatest phenomenon that ever crossed the horizon of this world. He’s God’s Son.”

That’s just some of the sermon. Check it out sometime. It will definitely help you embrace the greatness of our King!

Mystery Monday 

Name a phrase that starts with “Carry the…” 

  1. ??? (24) 
  2. ??? (18) 
  3. ??? (8)
  4. Four different answers tied for #4 (6)

It’s a Stumper for the second week in a row. We had someone guess #1, #3, and a couple other very good guesses, but we need #1 and #2… Join us next week for a chance to win THREE $5 gift cards to Watt’s Restaurant in Utica!

Thanks for listening!
– Daniel and Joe

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The Leap of Faith & Filled with Love

Happy Praise Thursday!

Daniel: My Praise for today is more about my brother. See, he went to NYC, aka Nazarene Youth Conference, and according to him, it was a good time. See, going to NYC is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity because it only happens once every four years; it’s an event exclusively for teenagers, and if you don’t recall, you’re only in your teen years for so long. He was very, very nervous; he’d never been away from home without someone else in my family being with him; plus, he’d never flown before. He ended up going, and it seems as though he’s grown closer to friends and, more importantly, grown closer to God by taking this leap of faith.

It reminds me of Matthew 14:28-33, when Peter steps out of the boat. Peter saw Jesus, and in faith, he stepped out into the waves and took the leap of faith for Jesus. He calls us to take the leap of faith every day. Each step we take is a leap of faith, but he might be calling us further into the waves; he might be calling us beyond the sea or calling us to do something we’ve thought impossible. Of course, our God is a God of the impossible made possible; remember that and give him his due praise.

Brock: I was reading in my devotional this week; it focused on Ephesians 3:17-19. Here Paul prays that we would be rooted and established in love, and that we would understand just how wide and long and high and deep the love of Christ is, so that we may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. I don’t know about you, but that’s what I want for my life to be filled with the fullness of God’s love.

The truth is, it’s easy to believe we have to earn God’s love or somehow prove we’re worthy of it. When we live with that mindset, though, we begin looking to the world to give us the value and identity we’re longing for. But the world can never truly satisfy us. It promises fulfillment, yet often leaves us emptier than before. God’s love is different. His love isn’t something we earn. It’s something we receive. And when we truly grasp how deep his love is for us, we stop chasing validation from the world because our hearts are already full. I love the picture Paul paints here. When we’re filled with God’s love, we don’t have to walk into the world looking for something to fill us up. Instead, we can walk into the world with something to give away the hope, grace, and love of Jesus.

So today, my praise is that God’s love isn’t based on my performance. It’s based on his character. And I’m so thankful that his love is wide enough to reach us, deep enough to forgive us, and constant enough to fill us completely. My prayer for you today is the same prayer Paul prayed centuries ago, that you would know just how much Christ loves you, and that you would be filled to the measure with all the fullness of our God.

Congratulations to this week’s Name That Tune winner, Larry from Bellville! He correctly guessed “Speak Life” by TobyMac!

Thanks for listening to the Afternoon Drive!

-Daniel & Brock

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Remember when you were a kid? Did you like Blueberry Popsicles?

Today for WHO KNEW WEDNESDAY, we talked about Be a Kid Again Day and ways you can try to be a kid again. We also talked about Freezer Pop Day and National Blueberry Day.

WHO KNEW FACT CHECK: Popsicles were originally marketed as a health food

Be a Kid Again Day: When was the last time you felt like a kid? Try doing something you might not have done since you were a kid, like running through a sprinkler or swinging on swings.

Freezer Pop Day: The world’s largest popsicle was created in 2015. To celebrate National Ice Cream Day, The Nékter Juice Bar chain in California created a giant popsicle that measured over 18 feet long and weighed over a ton. 

National Blueberry Day: During the American Civil War of the 1860s, blueberries were collected and sent to troops in care packages for use as a food staple. 

  1. I was born on July 8, 1958, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 
  2. I made my acting debut in National Lampoon’s Animal House, but my breakout role was in the movie Footloose
  3. In 2003, I received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame
  4. I received a Golden Globe award for my role in HBO’s Taking Chance
  5. I am the subject of a trivia game called “Six Degrees of (my name)” due to my wide range and ability to link me to another actor

I am Kevin Bacon! Congratulations to Haley from Mount Vernon, who guessed correctly and wins the $5 gift card to Watts Restaurant in Utica.

Thanks for listening!
– Daniel

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This Generation is Making (Living) Room for Jesus

When was the last time you truly slowed down? In a world that’s always telling us to do more, Leanna Crawford’s new song is a reminder that sometimes the most important thing we can do is simply be with Jesus.

Leanna has released a brand-new single called “Living Room Floor,” the latest preview of her upcoming album, Thank God, arriving July 24. Inspired by the biblical story of Mary and Martha, the song encourages listeners to slow down and spend time in God’s presence instead of getting caught up in life’s endless to-do list.

Leanna says she’s always related to Martha—the one who’s constantly busy and trying to get everything done. But she says Jesus reminds us that He isn’t looking for our productivity; He simply wants us. She hopes this song gives people permission to pause, wherever they are, and simply spend time with Him.

One of my favorite lyrics in the song says, “Been running on empty, I don’t know what for… and what good is it to have the world but lose You, Lord?” That line really challenged me. It’s such a powerful reminder that no amount of busyness or accomplishment can replace intentional time spent in Jesus’ presence.

Along with the new music, Leanna is also giving fans a behind-the-scenes look at the making of Thank God through a new documentary series on YouTube, with new episodes premiering every Monday leading up to the album’s release.

If you’ve been waiting for one of the biggest Christian concerts of the year to come close to home, your wait is almost over.

Forrest Frank’s Jesus Generation Tour is proving to be one of the biggest events in Christian music this year. His recent stop at Nashville’s GEODIS Park drew more than 25,000 fans for a sold-out night that blended a high-energy concert with a bold, Gospel-centered message. 

After an opening set from Tori Kelly, Forrest took the stage to an electric crowd, performing fan favorites while consistently pointing the audience back to Jesus. The evening also included a powerful Gospel presentation from Sadie Robertson Huff, making it clear that the tour is about more than great music—it’s about introducing people to the hope found in Christ. Thousands of fans, from young children to grandparents, gathered together for a night of worship, celebration, and encouragement. 

The exciting news for Ohio residents is that The Jesus Generation Tour is coming to Heritage Bank Center in Cincinnati on Monday, July 27. If you’ve been wanting to see Forrest Frank live—or be part of one of the most talked-about Christian tours of the year—this will be your chance. With record-breaking crowds, an uplifting atmosphere, and a Christ-centered focus, it’s shaping up to be one of the biggest Christian concert events of 2026.

When all I’m holding onto is a promise

God, You promised that You’ll never leave me

When I’m scared of the dark, You’re right there with me

Your kindness never fails, it’s always reaching after me

Song Poetry was a STUMPER this week, so if you know these lyrics, tune in next week for your chance to win a $5 gift card to Watt’s Restaurant in Utica!

Thanks for listening to the Afternoon Drive!

-Brock Hankins

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Asking and Thanking

Hey, Daniel here. Today, I was thinking about a prayer request I gave to God at the beginning of the summer.

“Ask and it will be given, seek and you will find, knock and the door will be opened to you.” Matthew 7:7

That’s been the story of my summer so far. See, God has been doing amazing things in my life, granting me opportunities to not only talk to you, but he’s given me the blessings and gifts to do something very big in my life.

At the start of the summer, I knew that this was what I wanted to do, but it’s not exactly cheap or affordable, so I asked God to help provide a way to afford it. Over these past few weeks, I was house-sitting, and that went so well that I am getting another opportunity. I don’t know if you’ve ever hired a house sitter or been a house sitter, but it’s surprisingly lucrative. So it’s been enough that I am able to afford an important thing for my future, and I have only one person to thank for that, and it’s God

How do we say thank you to God when he’s gracious towards us? In the Bible, he asks us to give a tenth of his blessings back to him. I was talking to my mom the other day about this, and she mentioned how “some people think they can’t afford to give back to God,” but, she says, “you can’t afford not to give back to God.”

See, it’s not about the money, it’s about showing faith with his gifts; “Render to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and give to God what is God’s”, everything is stewarded to us by God, so when he asks us to return to him a portion of his gifts, we ought to do that. Jesus talks about how he cares for the sparrows and feeds them, and we are of much more value than they are. 

My Monday motivation is remembering who is responsible for this life’s blessings, and reminding myself to thank him for his blessings.

Mystery Monday 

Name a phrase that starts with “Carry the…” 

  1. ??? (24) 
  2. ??? (18) 
  3. ??? (8)
  4. Torch + Three others tied for #4 (6)

It’s a Stumper this week.

Thanks for listening!
– Daniel

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NZ Top 10 for 7/3/26

Praise the Lord, it’s Friday! Here’s this week’s countdown:

10. Peter Burton – Where Would I Be (#1 for 3 weeks)
9. MercyMe – Make It Well (#1 for 1 week)
8. We The Kingdom – Rescue Me
7. Elevation Worship – Alleluia
6. Jamie MacDonald – Ain’t No Way
5. Zach Williams – Wait For Me
4. Josiah Queen – demons
3. ELEVATION RHYTHM – WASHED
2. Matthew West – Good (#1 for 5 weeks)
1. CeCe Winans – Worthy Of It All (Worthy) (2nd week at #1)

New Music This Week:

These songs aren’t necessarily “new,” but new versions of familiar favorites from TobyMac!

Nothin’ Sweeter (Extra Sweet Version) (with Jon Reddick):

Heaven On My Mind (with Forrest Frank):

Tune in Monday with Joe and Daniel for Monday Motivation!

Thank you for listening!

– Joe & Brock


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The Treasure of Freedom

Brock’s Devotional:

As we get closer to the Fourth of July, many of us are thinking about freedom, family gatherings, fireworks, and celebrating our nation. But I was reminded this week that one of the greatest freedoms we have as believers is the freedom to bring our hurts, burdens, and brokenness directly to God.

I was reading in my devotional recently, and it focused on Psalm 34:18, which says, “The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.”

I appreciate that this verse doesn’t pretend life is always easy. Heartbreak comes in many forms. Maybe it’s the loss of someone you love, a strained relationship, church hurt, disappointment, or a dream that didn’t turn out the way you hoped. A broken heart can feel overwhelming and incredibly difficult to carry on your own.

But the beautiful promise in this verse is that God doesn’t run from our pain. He draws near to it. When we’re hurting, He isn’t distant or uninterested. He’s present. He’s comforting. He’s walking with us through every difficult moment.

The enemy would love for us to believe that God has abandoned us in our suffering, but the truth is exactly the opposite. God is closest when we need Him most.

So as we celebrate Independence Day this week, I’m thankful not only for the freedoms we enjoy as Americans, but also for the freedom we have in Christ to come honestly before our Heavenly Father. No matter what burden you’re carrying today, God is near, and you’re never walking through it alone.

Joe shared this from Our Daily Bread:

Have you heard of Michael Sparks? He walked into a thrift store and bought a souvenir copy of the US Declaration of Independence for $2.48. Later, as he looked closely at his parchment copy, he felt there was something unusual about it. So, he had it assessed by experts, who told him it was one of the thirty-six remaining copies of two hundred commissioned by John Quincy Adams in 1820. Sparks then sold his rare copy of the Declaration for $477,650!

Michael acquired something for a small fee that became a huge treasure. Author Dave Branon says he loves sharing that story because it reminds us that there’s a treasure that’s infinitely better. A priceless, matchless, and eternal treasure that costs nothing and isn’t found in a thrift store.

Jesus purchased this gift by giving His life on the cross as a sacrifice for our sins. This gift called salvation promises the treasure of an abundant “life . . . to the full” on earth (John 10:10) and an “eternal life . . . in [God’s] Son” with Jesus (1 John 5:11).

It’s amazing to find an earthly treasure at low cost, but that can’t compare with the eternal treasure Christ offers at no cost.

Congratulations to this week’s Name That Tune winner, Evelyn from Mount Vernon! She correctly guessed “Have Your Way” by Katy Nichole!

Thanks for listening to the Afternoon Drive!

-Joe & Brock

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The Perfect Combo… Ice Cream, Wings, and America!

For this Who Knew Wednesday, we talked about National Creative Ice Cream Flavors Day, National Chicken Wing Day, and some American Independence Fun Facts! Here is what we talked about…

WHO KNEW FACT CHECK – The history of ice cream begins in ancient Persia around 550 BC; Persian engineering techniques for storing and using ice laid the foundation for cold desserts.

National Chicken Wing Day – Americans consume ~1.25 billion chicken wings on Super Bowl Sunday alone!

National Creative Ice Cream Flavors Day – The average American eats roughly 20 pounds of ice cream each year, or about 4 gallons. 

https://www.history.navy.mil/our-collections/art/travelling-exhibits/the-american-navy-in-the-revolutionary-war/john-paul-jones.html

American History Fun Fact – John Paul Jones: the “Father of the American Navy” sunk over a dozen ships during the Revolutionary War.

WHO AM I?

  1. I was born into British nobility on July 1, 1961, in London. 
  2. I married Charles III in 1981 in a globally watched royal wedding.  
  3. I was known as the “People’s Princess” for my compassion and connection with the public.  
  4. I used my platform to raise awareness about issues like children’s health and landmine victims.  
  5. My life was tragically cut short in a car accident in Paris in 1997, deeply impacting people around the world. 

I am Princess Diana Spencer! Congratulations to Kevin from Bladensburg, who guessed correctly and wins the $5 gift card to Watts Restaurant in Utica.

Thanks for listening!
– Daniel and Joe

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