The award was announced on October 20 during a ceremony at the Edison Ballroom in New York City, held in conjunction with NAB Show New York.

Established in 1989, the Marconi Radio Awards recognize outstanding achievement in broadcasting, honoring stations and personalities for excellence and service to their communities.

Congratulations to the entire WGTS team on this national recognition!

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InSpiritRadio celebrates its 6th birthday on November 1st.

The Online Christian station was co-founded by Mike & Jeannie Powers in 2020. The station provides programming 24 hours a day and features Christian music and national programs: Refresh with Greg Laurie, 20 The Countdown Magazine with William Ryan III, Worship with Andy Chrisman, Christian Music Rewind with Shaun Michaels.

InSpiritRadio also produces a weekend Messianic music program, Saturday & Sunday evenings. InSpiritRadio will begin an all-holiday music format that will run from November 14, 2026 to January 2, 2027. InSpiritRadio.online is based in Janesville, Wisconsin.

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– Geoff Moore, National Affiliations Director, Christian FM Media

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Manna combines SonicTrek’s localization technology with experienced radio personalities, locally customized content and music programming tailored specifically to each affiliate and its audience. The goal is simple: a Contemporary Christian station that sounds and feels like it comes from the community it serves.

Wagman brings an unusual combination of mainstream and Christian radio experience to the format including time in Alternative, Top 40, Urban and Classic Rock as an on-air personality, programmer and VP of Marketing in markets including Tampa, New Orleans, Charlotte, Chicago, Los Angeles and New York.

Christian radio came calling in 2013, Wagman joined KFSH/Los Angeles, where the station achieved some of its strongest audience results in both Los Angeles and Orange County. He later became Network Program Director for WAY-FM, helping the network achieve significant ratings and fundraising growth.

Wagman is also known for developing localized, customized music charts and research used by programmers in Christian, Country and Pop radio. That same market-by-market philosophy will be central to Manna.

“Joel Denver has been a visionary in new technology for decades,” Wagman said. “I had the opportunity to work with him at AllAccess.com from 1999 to 2005, when he was already talking about Wi-Fi in cars, streaming, and how technology would fundamentally change radio. What excites me about Manna is that we’re using today’s technology to create something deeply human and authentic. Our personalities are real people of faith. The stories and testimonies are genuine. The content is localized for each community, and the music strategy is designed for each individual market rather than simply duplicating a national playlist.
For me, it was essential that Manna be authentic and God-honoring. SonicTrek shares that commitment, and I’m humbled and excited to be working with Joel again.”

SonicTrek Media Managing Partner, CEO/Formats Division Joel Denver said Wagman was the company’s first choice when it decided to expand into Contemporary Christian radio.

“Rob understands both sides of this equation – great radio and the mission behind Christian radio,” Denver said. “He immediately understood what we’re building with Manna: using real radio personalities and their AI personas to create timely, localized content for each individual market while maintaining the personality, warmth and connection that great radio requires. Combine that with Rob’s market-specific approach to music, and Manna gives broadcasters an end-to-end Contemporary Christian format that can sound genuinely local without the expense of building an entire programming and talent operation from scratch.” Denver added, “For broadcasters with an underperforming signal, a station in need of a new direction, or operators looking for a more localized alternative to generic national Christian programming, Manna presents a powerful new option.”

Sparkle, a longtime veteran personality of Top 40 WSSX & Country WIWF/Charleston, SC, also brings her devotion to Jesus and experience in Christian radio to Manna having worked at WLFJ (His Radio)/Charleston, SC.

She commented to SonicTrek about this new opportunity as the anchor host of Manna: “I’m excited to collaborate with Rob and SonicTrek in bringing localized content to Manna affiliates and see how we can move radio into the next phase! I like the thought of helping radio stations with my talent and creativity, but also with the power of AI technology.”

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“For 140 years, the Lord has faithfully guided Moody through generations of leaders who have remained anchored in God’s Word and committed to our mission of preparing people for their gospel-centered purpose and calling,” said Richard Warren, chair of Moody’s Board of Trustees. “Today we celebrated God’s faithfulness and asked him for wisdom, guidance and blessing upon Dr. Melson’s leadership. We are grateful to everyone who prayed for the presidential search and we look forward to what the Lord will do in this next season of Moody’s ministry.”

Dr. Melson’s tenure as the 11^th president began on Aug. 17, 2026. He succeeds Dr. Mark Jobe, whose faithful leadership over the past seven years strengthened Moody’s spiritual foundation, organizational health and financial stability, while positioning the ministry for continued Kingdom impact.

“To stand before you as the eleventh president is one of the greatest honors of my life,” began Dr. Melson in his inaugural address. “I recognize all the people behind me and the shoulders I stand on. I receive this responsibility with profound gratitude but also with a deep sense of stewardship.”

The previous four presidents of Moody—Dr. Mark Jobe, Dr. Paul Nyquist, Dr. Michael Easley, and Dr. Jospeh Stowell—were present for today’s inauguration.

“Moody must continue to say ‘yes.’ We must prepare, go, preach, teach and take the gospel wherever God sends us. As we do, I pray that these three words will continue to characterize us—courage, clarity, and compassion.”

—Dr. Rick Melson, 11^th president of Moody Bible Institute

Dr. Melson comes to Moody after having served as president of Southwest Baptist University in Bolivar, Missouri. He is a devoted follower of Jesus Christ, an experienced Christian higher education executive and a gifted communicator with more than 30 years of leadership in higher education.

As Dr. Melson begins his tenure, Moody is experiencing remarkable momentum across its education and media ministries.

• More students than at any point in Moody’s history are being equipped to live on mission for Christ through its undergraduate, seminary, aviation, online and global campus
• Moody Global Media is reaching a global audience, with the bold vision of reaching 100 million listeners weekly through terrestrial Moody Radio and a multitude of growing digital channels.
• Today in the Word daily devotional is now reaching more than one million readers.
• Moody Publishers has more books in more languages around the world than ever before.

In addition to those joining via livestream from more than 15 countries, Dr. Melson’s family and friends, along with leaders from Christian colleges and universities, ministry partners, local dignitaries and other invited guests attended the inauguration ceremony. Mrs. Tammy Melson also recognized during the ceremony as the Moody community honored her presence alongside Dr. Melson and the important role she shares in this new season of ministry at Moody.

Dr. Joseph Stowell, seventh president of Moody Bible Institute, delivered the presidential charge. Moody’s tenth president, Dr. Jobe, presented Dr. Melson with the official Moody Bible Institute insignia.

“Keep Jesus preeminent on this campus. Have the faculty walk in his steps and in his will to lead students to the glory of his plan and purpose . . . for in all things our King is preeminent and he rules and he reigns. May he rule and reign with power in your presidency. That will be our prayer for you.”

—Dr. Joseph Stowell, seventh president of Moody Bible Institute”

To view the entire inauguration, please visit Moody’s YouTube channel.

To learn more about Dr. Melson, please read the official announcement.

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But what if there are other fundraising gifts waiting to be unwrapped? I’m speaking of Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and the last three days of the year.

On the afternoon of December 24, most personnel walk away. Automation takes over. The staff goes home for ham (which is good—please go home). But we inadvertently close the door on listeners who are, sometimes suddenly, ready to give.

Donation platforms tracking December one-time gifts have found that as many as 1 in 6 can arrive in the 72 hours before Christmas. In one survey, Christmas Eve exceeded Giving Tuesday in charity.

Christian radio is about companionship, especially on Christmas. Listeners are driving between family visits, sitting in a quiet living room, or working a lonely night shift. They feel a connection to your ministry. Many would love to express their appreciation with a Christmas offering—if we simply invited them.

Then there is the opportunity you already know: the last three days of the year. Up to 12% of annual revenue arrives in these final 72 hours.

Here are some ideas on how you can provide stewardship opportunities that honor their desire to give, but are in keeping with the reverence of the season. Here is how:

1. Play Silent Night But Don’t Be Silent.

Lifeway Research found 84% of Protestant churchgoers make an extra cash gift at Christmas. That money is already in motion toward their church or someone they know. What was not prioritized? Your station. Only 18% name a local Christian ministry. Ask generous Christians—especially lapsed donors or those new who’ve discovered your Christmas music—to consider a gift that impacts the whole community and beyond.

2. God Rest Ye Merry, Mobile Gift

People giving late in December aren’t sitting at desks. Up to two-thirds give on a phone, and over half use digital wallets like Apple Pay. If it isn’t already, ensure your giving page is a one tap effort, perfectly mobile-responsive, and is clearly presented to a website visitor. Promote your Text-to-Give keyword on-air without hype but consistently, even on December 24 and 25. You’re just acknowledging the existing desire of many to be generous when the Lord leads.

3. Deck The Halls Of Email Early

We know the final days are huge, but the 29th specifically brings larger gifts (average text gifts on the 29th are roughly triple the size of the 30th or 31st). The 30th gets the best email engagement because by the 31st, the inbox is a chaotic blur of nonprofits. The 31st brings volume, but mostly from deadline panic. Optimize communication for each separate day.

When you treat December as a season rather than a month, you give Christians a greater opportunity to be the blessing they’ve been praying to be.

Now pass the ham, and don’t be stingy with the au gratin potatoes.

Doug Hannah is a Christian media leader with over 40 years of experience in programming, on-air, leadership, and fundraising strategy.

The post The Data is In: Listeners Want to Give While You’re Eating Christmas Ham first appeared on CMB.

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91.3 WCSG is pleased to announce the promotion of two longtime programming team members, reflecting the station’s commitment to developing talent from within and elevating leaders who’ve built trust and understanding within the communities they serve.

Brittany Riva, Program Director, has been promoted to Station Manager where she will provide leadership across the organization, oversee station operations, and collaborate with teams to help move WCSG’s mission forward.

“I’m excited for the future of WCSG,” Riva states. “We have an amazing team, and it’s inspiring to see how each person is so dedicated to reaching more people for Jesus. I look forward to seeing how we can continue using that passion to help point more people to Christ across the community.”

As Riva moves into her new position, Assistant Program Director Zach Allen has been promoted to Program Director.

“I’m grateful for the opportunity to follow the legacy of some amazing people who’ve sat in this seat before me,” says Allen. “I hope to expand how we use data and audience insights, continue to look for ways to connect with emerging generations, and deepen WCSG’s relationship with artists and labels.”

With each having more than a decade of service at WCSG, Riva’s and Allen’s promotions represent a continued investment in experienced leadership dedicated to serving listeners and advancing the station’s mission throughout West Michigan.

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Carly Ann Taylor – I love “The Wonderful Blood” by Tiffany Hudson because it speaks a simple truth in a fresh and vulnerable way. It’s a beautiful and sweet expression of deep surrender and worship of Jesus as our friend and Savior. This song has brought me so much healing and tranquility. I think more people need to experience this song and the anointing on Tiffany Hudson.

Charity Gayle – “BE MY” by Ryan Kennedy

Hope Darst – “Praise You All The Same” by Erik Nieder

Jason Gray – If I could add one new song to radio (besides mine ), I’d add Josh Wilson’s “How Loved You Are” for a few reasons: it’s already proven that it resonates on social media, its message seems to meet listeners right where they are, and Josh is an artist whose work deserves to be heard. He’s a loving and wise songwriter—and one of the best human beings I know.

If I could add two, I’d also add Ross King’s “Faith Alone” because it’s one of the most truthful songs I’ve heard in a while, born out of what he learned through his wife’s cancer journey and death. If we aren’t playing deeply honest music that encourages people toward deeper truthfulness, then what are we doing?

And if I could add three, I’d add Switchfoot’s “Two Twins.” It’s meaningful, smart, and resonant, from one of the best bands and one of the best songwriters in our genre. What a gift Switchfoot is to our time and place.

Zach Williams – “Different Story” by Christian Hohn

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If you work in Christian radio, you know this tension especially well. You’re helping create a meaningful Christmas experience for thousands of listeners, but that doesn’t mean your own Christmas is free from anxiety, difficult relationships, or grief.

My wife Lisa and I have spent a lot of time thinking about the emotional load we carry during the holidays. And one thing we’ve learned is that we often take responsibility for things God never asked us to carry.

So as Christmas approaches, here are five things worth keeping in mind:

1. Just Because Someone Is Spreading It Doesn’t Mean You Have to Catch It

Anxiety and reactivity are contagious. You know this if you’ve ever walked into a perfectly pleasant family gathering only to have one person bring up politics, an old disagreement, or something that immediately changes the temperature of the room.

We all have our version of Cousin Greg.

The good news is that you probably already know what might set you off. You know the conversations that tend to get uncomfortable and the people who know exactly which buttons to push.

That awareness gives you an opportunity to prepare.

Instead of being surprised when someone says something frustrating, notice what’s happening inside you. Are you getting defensive? Do you feel the need to correct them? Are you already planning your response?

You don’t have to react just because someone else does. You can pause, pray, and decide how you want to respond.

And sometimes the best response is no response at all.

Not whether everyone agreed with me or whether I won an argument. But whether I showed up as the person I wanted to be.

2. Prepare Yourself, Not Just Everything Around You

Think about how much time we spend preparing for Christmas. Shopping, decorating, cooking, planning, cleaning, and making sure everything is just right.

Now think about how much time we spend preparing ourselves emotionally.

Lisa has worked hard on this over the years. She used to put tremendous pressure on herself to make everything perfect when we hosted people. The food needed to be right, the house needed to be ready, and everyone needed to have a wonderful time.

But she began paying attention to the emotional atmosphere she was creating before anyone even arrived.

One Christmas, our kids actually noticed the difference. They told her she was more fun to be around.

I love that story because the meal didn’t become less important. Our guests weren’t any less cared for. But Lisa was able to be present rather than exhausted by the time everyone arrived.

For those working in Christian radio, this is worth remembering. You may spend weeks preparing Christmas programming, events, promotions, and special moments for your listeners.

But what about preparing yourself for the people who need you when the workday is over?

Sometimes that preparation is as simple as taking a few minutes on the drive home to notice what you’re carrying, talk to God, and release some of the pressure.

3. You Are Not Responsible for Everyone’s Christmas

This one is hard for people who care deeply about others.

We want everyone to be happy. We want family gatherings to go well. We want to give the perfect gift, say the right thing, and make sure nobody feels disappointed.

And if you’re wired to serve people, that pressure can become enormous.

Lisa and I talk about five false needs that tend to drive us: control, perfection, having the answer, always being there for others, and approval.

I don’t know which one gets you, but I suspect at least one sounds familiar.

Here’s something we’ve learned: We get reactive when we’re carrying more than God has asked us to carry.

You can prepare a wonderful meal, but you can’t control whether everyone enjoys it. You can love your family, but you can’t make everyone get along. You can encourage someone who’s struggling, but you can’t fix everything they’re going through.

That doesn’t mean you stop caring.

It means you begin asking a different question: What’s mine to carry? What’s theirs? And what’s God’s?

You might be surprised how much lighter Christmas feels when you stop trying to carry all three.

4. Not Everyone Is Having a Merry Christmas

This may be the most important reminder of all.

Christmas has a way of turning up the volume on whatever we’re feeling. Joy feels bigger. But so does loneliness. So does disappointment. And especially grief.

I’ve spent years in ministry, and one of the things I’ve noticed is how uncomfortable we can become with sadness.

We want to cheer people up. We want to remind them of God’s goodness. We want to help them move past whatever they’re feeling.

But sometimes people don’t need us to make them feel better. They just need us to be willing to sit with them in what they’re experiencing.

At our church, we used to hold a grief service between Thanksgiving and Christmas because we knew how difficult those weeks could be for people who had experienced loss. It wasn’t designed to be cheerful. It was a place where people could grieve honestly.

Think about that as you serve your listeners this Christmas.

Behind every radio is someone with a story you don’t know. Someone may be celebrating a new baby or a long-awaited answer to prayer. Someone else may be facing their first Christmas without a spouse, parent, or child.

And the people working alongside you have stories, too.

You don’t always need the right words. Sometimes asking someone to share a memory of the person they’re missing is more meaningful than trying to cheer them up.

There’s room for joy and sadness at Christmas. We don’t have to pretend otherwise.

5. God Is Already There

Here’s the final thing Lisa and I want people to remember.

God is already in the room.

Before you arrive at the family gathering, He’s there. Before you walk into a difficult conversation, He’s there. Before you start another long day at the station, He’s there.

You don’t have to bring God into a situation as though He wasn’t already present.

And that includes the difficult people.

Lisa sometimes reminds me that even the person who’s driving me crazy is made in God’s image. All of God’s image, not just the percentage I happen to appreciate at that moment.

That reminder has helped me treat people with dignity, even when they’re frustrating me.

It also reminds me that I’m not responsible for managing every outcome. God is already at work, and He’s carrying things I was never meant to carry.

A Different Kind of Christmas Preparation

As you head into the Christmas season, I hope you’ll give as much attention to your emotional well-being as you do to everything on your calendar.

Pay attention to what makes you reactive. Prepare your heart before you prepare another event. Let go of the need to make everything perfect. Make room for people who are hurting.

And remember that God is already there.

If you work in Christian radio, you’re going to spend a lot of time helping other people celebrate Christmas this year.

My hope is that you won’t be so busy helping everyone else experience the peace of Christ that you miss it yourself.

Adapted from Steve and Lisa Cuss’s conversation, “Finding Peace in the Chaos: Five Emotional Well-Being Tips for Christmas Sanity,” on the Being Human podcast, a production of Christianity Today. For more resources, visit capablelife.com/christmas.

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The anniversary celebration featured a WNZR museum, a video journey through four decades of station history, and a story studio for listeners to share how God has used the station to impact their lives. There were multiple interactive activity rooms for family fun, including a photo booth, coloring station, freebies, 40th shirts and hats for sale, and a prayer and praise room. Guests also enjoyed a buffet dinner, ice cream from a local dairy, and opportunities to connect with WNZR staff and current Communication & Media students from Mount Vernon Nazarene University.

It was a special time to celebrate WNZR’s legacy, thank the community, and look forward to the future of the ministry!

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