Air1 Radio News

‘Bear Fruit Bakery’ gave part of their own earnings to other businesses in town, helping them stay afloat. Listen to Air1's Rafael Sierra's report.

By Richard Hunt “I definitely feel like we’re in the wilderness, so to speak, spiritually. And you know, God does some of his greatest works in our lives in the wilderness. I think we learn lessons.” As for the future? “I hope we’re different in a good way … I hope we’re more dependent on God,” shares Pastor Jud Wilhite.

Nat'l Domestic Abuse Hotline 1-800-799-7233 www.thehotline.org/ Physical bruises are only small part of what some women and men suffer says Annette Oltmans of The MEND Project, which brings awareness to what she calls ‘covert emotional abuse.’ “Victims begin questioning reality and their own sanity,” explains Oltmans, herself a survivor of domestic abuse – and a Christian – who knows firsthand what’s it like to ‘live it.’ Pastor Paul Cole, president of the Christian Men’s Network, has been deeply concerned by the quarantine effect on families already stuffed in a pressure cooker of unhealthy reactions. “A lot of times, we as men act out of anger, rage, disappointment – and we lash out at people,” he says, urging men in this trap to reach out for help. Air1's Billie Branham reports.

By Richard Hunt An app created by a former prisoner is bringing encouragement and hope to those behind bars. And Prison Fellowship is partnering to help more families get ahold of this life-changing technology. Hear our insightful interview with PF’s Heather Rice-Minus.

“The peace and the comfort that the students can bring has a really deep effect.” It’s quite an honor when the county health department calls on a university for help, knowing by previous interaction that the Christian school’s nursing program is first-class. That’s what happened for the Betty M. Dean School of Nursing at Simpson University based in Redding, California.

Church-made videos share important topics at a level kids can understand. Children’s Pastor Jeff Land, who serves at Sugar Creek Baptist Church just outside of Houston, takes a cue from Fred Rogers as he tackles topics and questions in ways younger children can comprehend. Show topics have included: not being afraid to wear a mask, not being spooked when they see a person who’s undergone chemotherapy and has lost their hair, and a general lesson on the importance of manners, of pleasing God. Pastor Land shares some positive thoughts on what we may value more as we eventually come out of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The graduation ceremony for the Class of 2020 at Lejeune High School in North Carolina turned out to be unlike anything they had ever imagined. The graduates celebrated online, due to COVID-19 pandemic restrictions. Senior Class President Abigail Paquin presented her encouraging video speech and then sat down to sing an original song that she wrote for the special and unusual occasion. The Lord gave her a peace about the situation and Abigail then knew “I had to encourage my classmates.”

Now that the schools have closed operations for the summer, Venture Church of Encinitas, Cal. is making a difference in family’s lives. The church itself has become the summer food pickup location. In the parking lot, “We have a team of volunteers, with the food already bagged, ready to go. So the people come through, and they pop their trunk – they don’t even have to get out of their car – they pop their trunk and our people put the bags of groceries in trunk and then they’re free to go,” explains Pastor Troy Martin. ‘We really want to be Jesus to the community.’

Dr. Mimi Secor didn’t get truly serious about her own weight-management and overall health until entering her early 60’s. Building on her personal success and with a nod to current events, she offers advice corresponding with each of the letters of the word "pandemic." Air1's Marya Morgan talks with Dr. Mimi about what she calls the '8 pillars of health.' P.lanning/Preparing A.ccountibility N.ighttime D.iet E.xercise M.indset I.nspiration/Intimacy C.oritsol

Air1's Billie Branham talks with mom blogger Becky Thompson on how she relates to millions of moms.

“We know in business, we know in work that you have goals you have you have to meet: well what’s your fathering plan?” Air1's Bob Dittman talks with Dr. Ken Canfield of the National Center For Fathering about learning how to be good dad. "We're creating this sense of destiny for our lives that will be played out over and over."

Stay-at-home orders required the Christ-centered 12-step program to adopt virtual alternatives to traditional face-to-face meetings. Air1's Frank Hammond asks Christe Dejorie, CR state rep about online groups, anonymity and confidentiality rules for Zoom meetings and plans to go forward with the annual Celebrate Recovery conference in July.

Stay-at-home orders in Spring 2020 gave millions of new green thumbs a chance to grow. What can you do with all those extra cucumbers and tomatoes? Take them to a participating food pantry! Air1's Marya Morgan talks with ampleharvest.org founder and lifelong backyard gardener Gary Oppenheimer.

By Richard Hunt/Nicole Hackett oda teaching English grammar? Mixed up idea, it is. Unless you’re Cedarville University alumna Heidi Bruder trying to spice up language arts for her suddenly online fifth- through seventh-graders at Calvary Christian Academy in West Branch, Michigan. Then it’s an idea that would make a Jedi master proud. “It was hard for me ... But I was convicted by what I tell my kids all the time: Whatever you do, do it for the Lord.”

By Richard Hunt When it came to share about the pandemic, Rock Church Associate Campus Pastor Becky Aniversario tell us, "Kids pick up a lot more than people realize and so it's really wise just to get ahead of these difficult conversations before they start getting information from other places. She's concerned that many sources kids might find COVID-19 information "are probably not going to be pointing them back to Jesus." it's important that the conversation be age-appropriate and "we tell them why their regular routine, such as going to school, visiting with friends, visiting with family - why all these things have been interrupted." Above all, Pastor Becky says it's important "to share the hope with have in Jesus." The church kids also encouraged local heroes – first responders – including police.

Events that began in Minneapolis have reverberated around the globe in widespread outrage. Pastor Lance Hahn, who is white, called his longtime friend Bishop Parnell Lovelace who is black. "What can we do?" he asked the reverend. "Help me understand."

By Richard Hunt Before the COVID-19 pandemic, San Diego-based Rock Church was always helping areas of the community with hunger and other needs. But, “when the pandemic hit, we just put that into overdrive,” explains Senior Pastor Miles McPherson.

Air1's Monika Kelly has a fun chat with Michelle Brenner of Gig Harbor, Washington, now called the "Lasagna Lady." After being furloughed from her job in March of 2020, Michelle decided she'd bless her community by fixing homemade lasagnas and giving them away for free. She's since given away more than a thousand pans of lasagna, thanks to donations, to fire crews, medical personnel, prisons, nursing homes and to anyone who asks.

By Richard Hunt There is often an expectation of divine perfection in pastors, but Cody Barnhart emphasizes ministers are very much human. He agrees that pastors need people they can share struggles with, confidentially. “Most pastors absolutely need those people to open up to and I think most pastors don’t have them. I think many pastors, especially the ones I know, I’ve talked to personally, are afraid that they may lose their jobs or be perceived as weak leaders if they share something that is kind of too far for people to feel comfortable with, especially if it’s about some of these bigger issues” like suicide and depression, “intrusive mental health struggles.”

By Richard Hunt Listen to our podcast interview with PK’s President Vance Day to learn the exciting things being planned for Promise Keepers. Also, Day offers biblical wisdom for men who may be newly unemployed, struggling with bills, or just coping with being ‘stuck at home’ due to the COVID-19 pandemic.