Stories of Impact

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Featured Story

We all do it… We get busy with our own lives

At WAY-FM, we are more than individuals just trying  to make it.  We are a community of believers who are seeking to live out our faith on a daily basis.  This video will challenge you to refocus on who the center of our lives should be. … Continue reading

“Thank You for Bringing Jesus and Joy to My life!”

Thanks to friends like you, Nichola* finds hope for each day.

Working on the front lines of healthcare has never been an easy ride. But then COVID-19 hit and took things to a whole new level.

Nichola knows what that feels like.

“I’m a nurse in an ER, and the last year has been tough,” she says. “There’s a lot of cynicism… in this world, and sometimes it’s hard to overcome the desire to just fall in line with that.”

But that’s where you’ve stepped in and made such a difference. Through the encouraging music and honest conversation you make possible on WayFM, Nichola’s found new strength and hope for each day.

“Listening to WayFM before and after work… has made a huge difference in my life when there’s so much negativity around me everywhere else!”

What a beautiful thing! Through your support, Nichola knows the peace and presence of God each and every day. And that’s what keeps her going, even when things are so tough.

So Nichola’s closing words are for you…

“Thank you for bringing Jesus and joy to my life when I need it the most!”

And thank you for your support which God used to help Nichola when she needed it most!

*Representative name and image used.

You helped Diane know she’s not alone!

Everyone should have a place to find hope during life’s challenges – and your support of WayFM makes that possible for listeners like Diane* every time they tune in. She writes…

“Thank God for your radio station and app. It is a constant reminder that I am not alone. Our son has been homeless for the past two years on the other end of the world. When I listen to WayFM it gives me courage to know that God will use all he is going through to strengthen not only him but me too. Thank you for being a light in this world.”

Diane is just one of the countless listeners who find hope through the meaningful music and honest conversations of WayFM made possible by your generous support. Thank you for your partnership!

*Representative name and image used.

 

Meet your favorite new hobby

By: Betty, Co-host, The Wally Show

Over the last year, people have taken up all kinds of new hobbies. I’m sure you’ve seen them on your Instagram timeline at one point or another. Well, recently I was introduced to one of my own: geocaching. Have you heard of it?

Basically, it’s a free treasure hunt for adults – and it’s SO MUCH FUN! All you need is a GPS-equipped device and a list of caches in your area and you’re ready for some adventure.

My best friend and I decided to try it out for the first time and found our first cache! Inside was a logbook that we were able to sign with our names, the date, and the time we found it. We then left it for the next person to find. Needless to say, we’re quickly becoming geocache champs!

It was a great time spent together just letting loose and acting like kids. So if you’re looking for an easy way to fill an afternoon with fun and friends, give geocaching a try, and make sure to let me know what you find!

Let’s celebrate what God has done through you!

 

This last year brought us all plenty of challenges, but your partnership with WayFM helped create incredible impact in countless lives around the world.

Because of the generosity of friends like you, people facing the challenges of life have been able to call in for prayer and get connected with God through His Word – and that’s worth celebrating!

Here’s a glimpse at what God has done through your investment in WayFM over the last 12 months:

  • People Prayed With – 36,981
  • Prayers Offered – 188,134
  • Prayers Answered – 758
  • Spiritual Care Conversations – 3,754
  • Free Bibles Mailed – 2,079
  • Decisions for Christ – 62

Each of these is a tangible example of the impact you make possible as part of the WayFM family. Thank you for your generous heart and your passion to make joy possible for those facing difficult times!

Why My To-Do List Stays Incomplete

By: Wally, The Wally Show

Every day when I sit down at my computer to work, I see my sticky to-do list for the day. Yes, I am fully aware that one of the core competencies of a computer is to organize lists like this – but I’m old school and love physically marking things off of my to-do list. Few things in life are quite as satisfying.

However, there is one thing not crossed off on the top of my list. That’s because it is not completed… and it won’t be completed for a few more years. The item simply says, “Theresa/Michael.” I write it at the top of my to-do list every time I start a new list to make sure I do not forget about it.

Theresa called me after I shared my family’s story on the air about my brother doing time in prison. I had talked about how God used that time to radically change my brother, and I shared about our family’s struggle to navigate a broken system as we tried to help him get his life back when he got out.

This conversation resonated with Theresa, and she proceeded to share the story of her son Michael with me. Michael is in prison, and it has been extremely difficult on her and her family. She spends many days crying, praying, and worrying for her son, but hearing my family’s story of restoration gave her hope that things could be good again for her son and their family.

This is why we share our stories – especially the not-so-pretty stuff – because we never know how God is going to use them to help someone else.

The reason I write and rewrite Theresa’s and Michael’s names on every to-do list is because it reminds me to pray for them every day. That’s not something I take lightly. I know we can sometimes use it as a way to exit a conversation – “Okay, I’ll be praying for you” – but if we say that, we really need to make sure we’re following through with that promise.

I look forward to the day when Michael is home with his mom. I know firsthand what a great day that is, and I can’t wait for them to get to experience that. Then and only then will I cross them off of my to-do list!

WayFM “reminds me that God has a plan”

When life gets overwhelming, hope and encouragement can be hard to come by – especially when you’re alone in a brand-new place. That’s what happened to Jessica*, a listener who escaped an abusive marriage. She writes…

“Two years ago, I fled from home with my two sons after enduring years of emotional abuse that had taken a turn for the physical. My (now) ex-husband was a drug addict and things had gotten very bad. We lost everything.”

Put yourself in Jessica’s shoes: a single mother, caring for two children, all alone and starting over from scratch.

For most, that would be enough to crush their spirit – but not Jessica. Not only did she entrust her future to God, but she also found joy in the midst of her challenges through the meaningful music and honest conversations of WayFM, all thanks to friends like you!

“I knew that my kids were safe and God would help us figure everything out. I found WayFM and it has helped me keep moving forward and reminds me that God has a plan. It helps my distress, keeps my faith up, and life continues to get better for my boys and me.”

The joy you help provide through WayFM doesn’t end with Jessica – it’s encouraged her sons as well! She continues…

“Today on the way home we were listening to WayFM and my oldest son, who is 10, began quietly singing along with lyrics to one of the songs on your station, and it made me realize how important this station has been for us.

Thank you for being the best part of my morning commute to work every day.”

What a perspective! Even after losing everything, Jessica chose to believe that God had a plan for her and her sons – a belief that grows stronger every day as she listens to WayFM.

Your support makes stories like Jessica’s possible, reaching people everywhere with encouragement and hope at just the right moment when they need it most. So thank you for keeping WayFM strong and continuing to spread the good news of Jesus!

*Representative name and image used.

Help More People Live with Hope in Jesus

Spring Support Drive launches May 3 – and your generosity is vital to give it the best possible start and keep your WayFM going strong.

The great news is that whatever you give today will be DOUBLED up to $25,000 to encourage more people like Beverly and her family!

She writes: “Your station has brought us much-needed support through the isolation of the pandemic – WayFM has helped keep our moods light and focused on the Lord. Thank you!”

We cannot thank you enough for your generosity… and for helping more people live with hope in Jesus!

Surprised by Peace in Hard Times

 

By Bekah, Co-host and Producer, The Wally Show

 

On March 13 of last year, my phone rang at 4 a.m., which is never a good sign.

“Hey, someone at the station has a fever. Why don’t you work from home today?”

The first case of COVID-19 had landed in our state about a week before. Because of my husband’s health issues and his lack of an immune system, my coworkers were being overly cautious. I had no idea that I wouldn’t be returning to the office for an entire year!

Since then, I’ve had the pleasure of experiencing just about every angle of the pandemic: isolation, job loss as my husband’s industry shut down, and health scares (while we’ve been able to stay free of COVID-19, other health issues popped up).

Looking back on the past year is hard. Finding the bright spots in it – even harder. But even in the toughest times, I’ve been consistently thankful for a few unexpected blessings.

Never once did my coworkers question my need to work from home, and they’ve continued to show incredible empathy through every chapter.  Add to that technology that made working from home possible. Sometimes, I forget to take the time to fully appreciate it!! Then there’s my community of friends who love me enough to let me vent. The effect of such grace can’t be overstated.

Finally – and this is really what I want to draw your attention to – God surprised me with peace I didn’t know was possible.

If you’re unfamiliar with my story, my husband’s chronic illness has overshadowed the past five years of our life, and its impact was obviously amplified this past year.

But in the worst moments – the darkest times when I wasn’t sure I was going to survive – God intervened with peace. The more He did, the more I began making it the theme of my prayers – asking not for answers, but comfort.

It’s like the line from the song “Symphony” by Switch…

“Cause even in the madness, there is peace drowning out the voices all around me. Through all of this chaos, you are writing a symphony.”

You see, hard times and peace are not mutually exclusive. And even though life is far from feeling normal again, God continues to surprise me with His peace. I pray He does the same for you.

Invite God to Do What Only He Can!

Psalm 145:18 says, “The Lord is close to all who call on him,” and literally thousands of people are seeing this promise fulfilled in their lives through the WayFM Prayer Wall.

People like Joelle, who recently wrote on the wall:

“I am going through a divorce right now and have found myself in a very rough spot. I know God has a plan in all this craziness and I am trying to let Him have the reins, but it’s hard sometimes. Please just keep me in your prayers.”

Joelle is one of 42,000 people who posted prayers and prayed for others on the Prayer Wall throughout 2020 – and that number keeps growing every day. Through a painful divorce and months without her own home, Joelle found encouragement as friends like you lifted her needs up to God.

God hears and responds when His people pray – and there is nothing more needed in our world today than for God to intervene to do what only He can.

That’s why together with friends like you, WayFM is making plans to expand the reach of the Prayer Wall. Imagine seeing hundreds of thousands –  even a million – people united in prayer for one another, for our nation, and for our world!

Please pray God continues to move through your amazing partnership to reach even more people through the ministry of your WayFM. And know that we’re praying for you too!

*Representative image used.

Wrong Number?

 

 

By: Wally,
The Wally Show

 

 

People call the radio station all the time by accident. For DJs it is a time-honored tradition to mess with people who have called the wrong number. Recently this happened to me, but how the call started and where it ended will stick with me forever as a reminder of why I love what we get to do every day at WayFM, and why it is so important. Here is what happened.

Me: Hey, it’s The Wally Show.

Me: Wally, who is this?

Caller: I am trying to reach Walgreens.

Me: Well, you got Wally from The Wally Show, so you are kind of close. And I think maybe that ointment you need is on aisle 6. (That is the messing with someone part I spoke of earlier!)

Caller: (laughs) What radio station are you with?

We continued to talk, and I told her I was from a Christian radio station called WayFM. She had not heard of us and what happened next surprised me.

She started telling me that her husband of 28 years was battling cancer and then she asked if I could play a song for him. I asked if she had anything in mind or if she wanted me to pick something. She told me to pick a song and she would make sure he was listening.

This is why I am so glad to be at WayFM.  If I were at a pop station or a rock station, what song would I play for him? It would probably have been some sort of generic “you can do it” type song. Instead, the perfect song popped into my head immediately. It was “Even If” by Mercy Me. The lyrics could not have been more perfect for what this lady and her husband were facing. The song says:

They say it only takes a little faith
To move a mountain
Good thing
A little faith is all I have right now
But God, when You choose
To leave mountains unmovable
Give me the strength to be able to sing
It is well with my soul
I know You’re able and I know You can
Save through the fire with Your mighty hand
But even if You don’t
My hope is You alone
I know the sorrow, and I know the hurt
Would all go away if You’d just say the word
But even if You don’t
My hope is You alone

What a gift we have to be able to share that sort of message with people who need it. The irony is this lady never told me her name, but God knows her and saw fit to put us together for a moment to encourage her.

I just love the arch of this story.

1: Lady accidentally calls a radio station.

2: DJ has a little good-natured fun with her and makes her laugh.

3: Lady then feels safe to open up about husband’s serious medical condition.

4: Then a song is played that points them to the hope found in Jesus.

5: Now she knows about WayFM and can tap into that hope and peace every day.

So, wrong number? I think not. I believe that God is constantly seeking us out and giving us just what we need when we need it. I don’t think our paths crossing was an accident or a coincidence.

The irony is I have been talking about how good this was for this lady, but truth be told this was great for my soul as well. This was a wrong number that went right in so many ways.

So if you support WayFM, thank you for helping continue to make moments like this happen.