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Jesus On American Idol!

If you would’ve told me that the name of Jesus was being lifted up on the Voice and American Idol, I might not believe you at first. But here we are in 2025, with songs about conversations with the Lord being sung on live television. If you listened to the Backstreet Boys back in the day, you’ll love this next story.

It’s Artist Newsday and Game Time Tuesday here on the Afternoon Drive, and there’s some really cool stuff happening in media right now.

Baylee Littrell, the son of Backstreet Boys singer Bryan Littrell, has been making a name for himself on the latest season of American Idol, performing a song he wrote in a time of pain and loneliness, called “Hey Jesus”. The performance went viral and Baylee is using his platform to encourage others to follow the Lord.

“There’s a kingdom waiting for you,” The young artist said. “There’s a God waiting for you. All you have to do is trust Him.”

Check out the full story HERE, and the performance here!

Don’t forge that Mom’s Night Out is THIS FRIDAY! Click this link to grab your spot! https://www.wnzr.fm/momsnightout

“The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want
He leads me by still waters ’til my fears are gone
Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death
Oh, I know You are with me, my Father, my friend
Your goodness and mercy will follow me all of my days”

Those are the words to “Still Waters” by Leanna Crawford! Congratulations to Kathleen from Mount Vernon, she wins the $5 Gift Card to Watts Restaurant!

Thanks for listening!- Judah

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Help me to be patient!

Welcome to our new co-host, Ethan Hershberger!

Apollo LTD’s ‘Patient’ is our Monday Motivation song today! Apollo LTD members Jordan Phillips and Adam Stark shared with New Release Tuesday that the song’s release timing couldn’t have been better, with most people dreading with ‘shelter at home’ time in 2020. “Everyone had to put their dreams and aspirations on hold for an indefinite amount of time,” Jordan said. “We had the song Patient about needing to learn trust and patience. The song’s message is that there’s meaning in the process.”

“We finally realized why the song didn’t get released last year or the year before. It was meant for this time. We released it in August 2020. It was awesome to see how it all played out. We’re excited to have it out right now.”

Psalm 27:14 says, “Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart, and wait for the Lord.”

Give a three-letter word that starts with “Z.”

  • Zoo (40 votes)
  • Zip (18)
  • Zap (15)
  • Zen (13)
  • Zit (13)

Congratulations to Sarah from Wooster, who guessed the top two answers and wins the $5 gift card to Watts Restaurant in Utica.

Thanks for listening!
– Joe and Ethan

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NZ Top 10 for 5/2/25

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

10. Colton Dixon – Up + Up
9. Matthew West – Unashamed
8. Seph Schlueter – Running Back To You
7. Katy Nichole – When I Fall
6. TobyMac – A Lil’ Church
5. Jon Reddick – No Fear
4. Jeremy Camp – Again
3. Leanna Crawford – Still Waters (Psalm 23)
2. Brandon Lake f/Jelly Roll – Hard Fought Hallelujah
1. Jamie MacDonald – Desperate (4th week at #1)

New Music Friday adds this week:

Forrest Frank – Your Way’s Better

Tauren Wells – Let The Church Sing

Thanks for listening!
– Joe

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National Day of Prayer!

How fitting for the National Day of Prayer to fall on Praise Thursday here on The Afternoon Drive! Today we came together to pray for our families, neighbors, community and nation! Any prayer request can be lifted and heard today, and if you’d like to hear some prayers from our local community leaders and members, check them out here!

Here’s the recap from today:

12:30am – Marcy Rinehart, WNZR Station Manager and President of Knox Network of Christian Ministries shares a prayer.

1:30am – Richard Hite, Pastor of Church on the Rise in Mount Vernon shares a prayer.

2:30am – David Carter with Child Evangelism Fellowship and a former High School Guidance Counselor shares a prayer.

3:30am – Leslie McCann with LifeWise Academy shares a prayer.

4:30am – Thom Collier from e-Merge Real Estate Champions and the Knox County Chaplains shares a prayer.

5:30am – Tim Stickle with Revive Knox County shares a prayer.

6:30am – Troy McNichols, Pastor of New Life Church of the Nazarene in Mount Vernon shares a prayer.

7:30am – Dave Mills, Vice President for Spiritual Life and Church Relations at Mount Vernon Nazarene University shares a prayer.

8:30am – Andy Smith, Pastor of New Life Community Church in Fredericktown shares a prayer.

9:30am – Joe Rinehart, MVNU Assistant Professor of Communication and Department Chair and Director of Broadcasting, WNZR-FM and WNZR.TV shares a prayer.

10:30am – Christopher Liberati, Pastor of Gay Street United Methodist Church in Mount Vernon shares a prayer.

11:30am – Cody Blust, Pastor of Faith Lutheran Church in Mount Vernon shares a prayer.

12:30pm – Joe Proudfoot, Pastor of Mount Vernon FirstNaz shares a prayer.

1:30pm – Jess Kirby, Starting Point Pregnancy and Family Resource Center Director of Development shares a prayer.

2:30pm – Kandee Popham, Executive Director for Place 4 Grace shares a prayer.

3:30pm – Amy McDougale, Executive Director for The Least of These Ministry shares a prayer.

4:30pm – Mount Vernon Mayor Dr. Matt Starr shares a prayer.

5:30pm – Dr. Carson Castleman, Mount Vernon Nazarene University President shares a prayer.

6:30pm – Lois Carter with Child Evangelism Fellowship and LifeWise Academy shares a prayer.

7:30pm – Scott Sharpes, Pastor of Lakeholm Church of the Nazarene in Mount Vernon shares a prayer.

8:30pm – Carolyn Fergus, Executive Director for Knox County Interchurch Social Services shares a prayer.

9:30pm – Marvin Haught, Pastor of Brandon Baptist Church shares a prayer.

10:30pm – Debi Fry, Housing Director with the Mount Vernon Georgia’s House for Women and the Mount Vernon Alpha House for Men shares a prayer.  

11:30pm – Jessica Reynolds, Program Director of TouchPointe Marriage & Family Resources and KNCM Board Member shares a prayer.

Today’s track for Name That Tune was “Let It Begin” by Big Daddy Weave! Congratulations to Casey from Mount Vernon for winning the $5 Watts Restaurant Gift Cards!

Thanks for listening!- Judah

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Puppy Love!

Who doesn’t love their furry friends? It’s National Adopt a Shelter Pet Day, so we wanna know: what’s your favorite kind of pet, right now or from your childhood.

Jennifer shared about her family’s beloved cows, including May, Larry and Judith. Her family calls May miracle May, because she was born during a severe ice storm in the open, and 12 years later is beautiful and healthy! They also have quite a few chickens, but Jennifer says they have yet to name those.

-I was an NBA Point Guard and Coach

-I won two NBA Championships with the Detroit Pistons, and was also a 12-time all-star

-I was named as one of the 50 Greatest NBA Players of All-time

I am….a stumper! Tune in next week for your chance to win!

Thanks for listening!-Judah

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FORREST FRANK FRENZY!

He’s one of the fastest growing artists in Christian music right now, and he’s got more on the way!

It’s Artist Newsday and Game Time Tuesday, and have we got some updates for you!

GRAMMY-nominated, award winning artist Forrest Frank is currently performing on his Child of God Part II, and during a stop in LA, announced his new album Child of God II, releases May 9th! WE CAN’T WAIT!

Forrest isn’t the only artist dropping an album this summer….Big Daddy Weave is releasing their first album in six years! Let It Begin releases May 23, their long-awaited follow-up to 2019’s When The Light Comes.

Plus, if you want to hear a super cool conversation, check out Youtuber Bryce Crawford’s interview with the one and only Brandon Lake.

“Who put the breath in my lungs
Who calls us daughters and sons
All praise goes to just One….

Who raised me up from the grave
Who’s always making a way
Let me hear the whole church say”

Those are the words from Micah Tyler’s “God Did It”. Congratulations to Cheyenne from Mount Vernon, she wins the TWO $5 Watts Restaurant Gift Cards!

Thanks for listening!- Judah

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Micah Tyler’s “God Did It”

Today’s Monday Motivation comes from Micah Tyler, and the single, “God Did It.”

Micah shared this with New Release Tuesday, “this is an upbeat and positive song that reminds listeners of God’s power and goodness. While writing the music, I began to reflect on the question, “What has God done?” Honestly, many of my memories are tied to my songs. That’s why when you examine the lyrics of this music, you’ll notice references to “Walking Free” and “New Today.” Ultimately, God revealed the Gospel to me in a way that inspired those other songs. When I contemplate what God has done, those songs also come to mind.“
 
“I have two rules for writing songs in Christian music. Rule one: it must align with God’s Word. I want Scripture to reflect what I write—I’d prefer to stand on His promises instead of my own. Rule two: I want to write from genuine places. I want to point back and say, Here’s where God made this true for me, or Here’s where I struggled and learned to trust God.”
 
“Praise God for the profound truths in His Word, particularly in our most challenging situations—and for the fellow songwriters I’ve collaborated with who adhere to those same songwriting principles.”

Enjoy “God Did It!”

What’s a way to cook eggs that also describes a person?

  • Scrambled (53 votes)
  • Hard-boiled (13)
  • Fried (11)
  • Sunny-side up (7)
  • Eggs Benedict (2)

Congratulations to Satarah of Mount Vernon, who guessed correctly and wins the $5 gift card to Watts Restaurant in Utica.

Thanks for listening!
– Joe

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NZ Top 10 for 4/25/25

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

10. Jon Reddick – No Fear
9. Crowder – Somebody Prayed
8. Colton Dixon – Up + Up
7. TobyMac – A Lil’ Church
6. Katy Nichole – When I Fall
5. Seph Schlueter – Running Back To You
4. Jeremy Camp – Again
3. Leanna Crawford – Still Waters (Psalm 23)
2. Brandon Lake – Hard Fought Hallelujah
1. Jamie MacDonald – Desperate (3rd week at #1)

New Music Friday adds this week:

NEEDTOBREATHE f/Tori Kelly – I’ve Got a Story

Ben Fuller – Turn

Thanks for listening!
– Joe

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Draft day… and Praise Thursday!

The NFL Draft Kicks off tonight, and we’re some pretty big football fans here at WNZR, so we’re pretty excited about it. But you know what’s really exciting. We get to praise an awesome God every single day!

It’s Praise Thursday on The Afternoon Drive, and we’re thanking God for a lot, including this beautiful weather. If you have something you want to praise God for, let us know!

Don’t forget that Mom’s Night Out is coming soon! Head to Ariel Arena on the campus of Mount Vernon Nazarene University May 9th for a night full of food, games, laughs and an incredible movie, Unsung Hero, which tells the story of For King + Country!

Register here! https://www.wnzr.fm/momsnightout

A stumper for Name That Tune! Make sure to play next week for TWO $5 Watts Restaurant Gift Cards!

Thanks for listening!- Judah

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