Air1 Radio News

Air1's Becky Hansen talks with Comesee Feline Friends Founder and Executive Director Irene Allen

By Richard Hunt “So, ministry jobs, just regular employment, all those kinds of things were very difficult. Relationships-wise, it was hard making friends, understanding people … I had a lot of weird quirks and my wife can definitely tell you they’re weird, and that’s okay (he laughs).” At age 35, he knew he had to understand what he was dealing with. He found out.

By Richard Hunt University of Iowa Communications Professor Elizabeth Pearce offered to extend her own family’s Thanksgiving dinner ‘virtually’ to any of her students who were staying on campus because of COVID quarantine or other reasons. “I just, honestly, it would have broken my heart to think anyone was alone and missing their family – and with restaurants being closed – not having a Turkey Day meal.” Word of her generous blessing went viral on Twitter and other social media reaching close to a million people!

Little girl with Down Syndrome helping others understand people just like her. Listen to Air1's Rafael Sierra's report.

By Richard Hunt After a relatively new and very delicate surgical procedure for Parkinson’s disease, Bill Ragle says his wife has “got her husband back, for the time being at least.” The operation was to enable Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS), where small holes are drilled into his skull and electrodes are placed deep in his brain to provide a constant electrical charge. The results have been remarkable. Bill can once again strum a guitar and his voice is stronger. “I can walk normally. I’m actually playing tennis.” He explains it’s not a Parkinson’s cure, but a “reprieve.” This is not only a story of modern medicine, but of solid, trusting faith in God. We invite you to share in this journey.

By Richard Hunt Every time Adam donates plasma, it helps 4 people fight COVID-19. For years Adam Clouse has been a faithful blood donor. “I gave last week for the 27th time.” But these days what’s in his blood is even more important for saving lives. “I tested positive for COVID-19 in mid-August.” Adam lost his sense of smell & taste for a while, but really wasn’t hit all that hard by the virus. But his COVID experience is now proving very valuable for others. “So, what the plasma does, is it has antibodies and so when folks come into a hospital setting, they will give them my antibodies with blood to fight off the virus.”

PTSD Foundation of America works to free veterans of debilitating anguish that can lead to a breakdown in mental health. Air1's Bob Dittman talks with Ryan Rogers about healing from the 'moral injury' of combat. Peer-to-peer Warrior Groups are available in cities nationwide. 24/7 Veterans Crisis Line for you or a loved one: Call 800-273-8255, then select 1. Start a confidential chat. or Text 838255. If you have hearing loss, call TTY: 800-799-4889.

A unique outreach to injured vets utilizes leather, beads, paint and glue: since 1971, Help Heal Vets has distributed more than 30-million arts and crafts kits – model cars, leather work, jewelry, needlepoint, clock-making – provided to veterans free of charge. But does art therapy work? “Yes,” assures CEO Captain Joe McClain. "Got it’s start in WWI and has been used by clinicians in every conflict throughout." Air1's Bob Dittman reports.

By Richard Hunt As a substitute teacher at a school that serves military families, Chris Martin sees firsthand that some students lack reading and math skills. Chris is Campus Life Military Director with Youth for Christ. And MacArthur Middle School at Fort Meade, Maryland, is the first school to benefit from the tutoring program, which is supported by Youth for Christ. During break times, the tutors and students can talk about life issues, things the kids are struggling with. When trust is established with a young person, there is often an opportunity to share faith. In our podcast, learn how Chris’ own “101% Principle” helps him reach kids, getting them to open up about life struggles. And he patiently allows the young people to use the coarse language they normally use with friends - words that might offend someone else. But Chris is convinced it’s important that “they know that they are being heard” in their own way. It’s no time to correct them.

What does the U.S. Constitution say about elections? The electoral college? What are the legal limits on presidential duties? Air1's Marya Morgan talks with Katie Kennedy, retired American government teacher and author of the illustrated children's book The Constitution Decoded. "If we don’t know what the Constitution says, we can’t preserve our government."

By Richard Hunt Louie Giglio is a respected pastor, author, speaker, and founder of the Passion Global Institute. In his years of service to the family of Christ, he has been a visionary, leader, and teacher. Lately, one of his concerns has been boys and girls in the tender and formative pre-teen years – especially with all the unanticipated life changes that 2020 brought. In response, Pastor Louie’s book, Goliath Must Fall for Young Readers: Winning the Battle Against Your Giants, can provide children, as well as moms and dads, with encouragement straight from the Bible, and plenty of topics to talk about in a family setting. He uses the Bible’s wonderful example of David’s stubborn faith and courage in responding to the gargantuan Philistine warrior Goliath. Pastor Louie points to challenges and distractions in our own lives that we may perceive as giants, or at least a lot bigger than we can tackle on our own. Examples of these modern-day life giants? Give a listen.

By Richard Hunt “Just tears and crying out to God and saying ‘God, I can’t handle this. I’m not strong enough for this.’ And from the very beginning, I just felt God so strongly saying ‘You’re not strong enough, but I am strong enough.’” Those are heartfelt words from Abigail Walker after learning her infant daughter Esther had leukemia. But she firmly declares, “God hasn’t left our side this whole time.” Abigail is now sharing her family’s personal story of the medical challenge -and God’s reliability- in a book titled “Suffering, Endurance, Character & Hope: A Story of Pediatric Cancer and a Mother’s Love.”

When disaster strikes, CONVOY OF HOPE big rigs show up, hauling so much more than tarps, lumber, bottled water and food. "It's starts with food but ends with Jesus," says COH spokesperson Jeff Nene. "Everywhere they go they just bring encouragement." Record storms, fires and floods kept COH busy this year and added to that.. they're feeding millions of families hit by the pandemic! Air1's Marya Morgan reports.

‘CityServe’ partners with local churches to bring goods, food supplies to families who need it most. Listen to Air1's Rafael Sierra's report.

Air1's Billie Branham talks to Pastor Jeff Pishney about the one-day event

By Monika Kelly The members of the First Baptist Church of Oakhurst, California stepped up to help even after some of the members had been evacuated from their own homes. "We put the meals together and we loaded them up in our vehicles and took them out to distribute," Pastor Greg said. One of the best things? "Being able to pray with a gentleman who...lost everything. It's devastating. Just being able to share the hope of Christ with him, the gospel with him, has been an encouragement to our church." Pastor Greg said.

By Richard Hunt Before the COVID-19 restrictions, students from Cedarville University were allowed to visit prisoners at the Greene County, Ohio, Jail. On Sunday mornings, “you get about an hour with the inmates…and you break into smaller groups…you just sit outside those cells and talk to them one-on-one…only separated by the bars.” But, for now, the in-person jail visits have stopped because of pandemic restrictions. The ‘Plan B’ is going to be a letter-writing outreach to the prisoners, hoping to keep some semblance of a one-on-one relationship, sharing friendship and the life-changing message of Jesus Christ.

By Richard Hunt Farming can be tough – and, at times, some farmers even consider taking their own lives. It’s not unusual to see a parking lot full of farm tractors at Middlebury Community Church of the Nazarene in northern Indiana. The “Drive Your Tractor to Church” event held each year by the church team honors farming as a very essential and noble field of employment. Pastor Gary Sheets sees to it the farm families are welcomed, prayed for, well fed - and their tractors, which represent the farm family income, are prayed over, blessed. Recently, a number of farmers privately shared they’ve had major concerns about losing their farms… and some have had dark, disturbing thoughts that have rattled their mental health. The pastor responded with encouragement from Jesus and the Bible. There’s also been an outreach called “Truckers Bobtail Cruise-In,” where those who drive 18-wheelers are saluted for their essential work – and also receive needed prayer and encouragement.

Special Needs families frequently suffer isolation. Nathaniel's Hope trains churches to provide respite care. Volunteers learn to do crafts and play games with the children for 3-hour blocks of time. "There’s no better cup of cold water you can give to a family impacted by disability than a break," says NH and Buddy Break co-founder Marie Kuck. It starts, she says, with having a willing heart. "Tear down those walls and build friendships." Air1's Monika Kelly reports.

Your teen meets a nice stranger at the mall. Or a guy she doesn't know likes all her posts on Instagram. What begins as flattery and flirtation has led thousands of kids -- just like yours -- down the dark and demeaning path to human trafficking. Groups like Without Permission urge parents to warn their teens about the tricks child predators use to trap victims. Air1's Kindra Ponzio talks with CEO Debbie Johnson, CEO of Without Permission.