WRGN ❮❮Rewind

Character influences all areas of a child’s life especially their convictions, establishes their reputation, and ultimate determines their destiny. Dr. Kathy Koch joined us on Wake Up Right this past week to tell us about her new book, Parent Differently: Raise Kids with Biblical Character that Changes Culture. She reminds parents that if they want to see their children adopt positive attitudes, act righteously, and develop healthy habits, then they themselves must lead by example in understanding and demonstrating biblical character. We absolutely love every opportunity to talk with Dr. Kathy, one of our favorite guests on Wake Up Right! We appreciate her practical insights on parenting and the character, educational, and spiritual development of our children and grandchildren.

Joshua Aaron, a dual citizen of Israel and the United States and a musical artist, joined Tim and Doug on Wake Up Right to share prayer requests and insights about the ongoing conflict in Israel and the terrorist organization Hamas. Listen to this conversation for his perspective of the nuanced political and spiritual battles taking place right now.

Assessing options, exploring possibilities, offering hope–that's what Pathways Unplanned Pregnancy Center does on a daily basis! Pathways offers education, support, care, and counseling to parents in need. Christina Kuc-Masker joined us to share exciting updates about Pathways' new location in Kingston and their upcoming gala on October 12, 2023.

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In this conversation on Wake Up Right, Pastor Ray Petts from Back Mountain Harvest shares about a 616 mile, 9-day bicycle ride he's embarking on beginning Saturday, September 23. The goal is to raise money for bleachers to resume outdoor performances of The Gift, an outdoor musical drama that attracts more than 10,000 people each year. The production has been on hiatus for many years, but the purchase of bleachers will support its return.

Best-selling author and speaker Carol McLeod joined us on Wake Up Right recently to tell us about her new Bible study titled Timeless: The Living and Enduring Word of God. In our conversation, you'll hear Carol's contagious joy, enthusiasm, and passion for God's Word. Carol shares how the book of 1 Peter, written nearly 2,000 years ago, is as practical, hopeful, and up-to-date as any book written today.

Justin Behrens joined us on the air recently to introduce us and our listeners to Danielle O. Keith-Alexandre, the new Executive Director of Keystone Mission! We are excited to welcome her as a partner in ministry here in NEPA. Danielle shared some of her past experience, her heart for ministry to the homeless in our area, and opportunities for our listeners to participate in homeless ministry in both Wilkes-Barre and Scranton!

Dave Dravecky was first thrust into the public spotlight when his career took off as a major league baseball pitcher. He was an All-Star pitcher for the San Diego Padres (’82–’87) and San Francisco Giants (’87–’89). Shortly after realizing this lifelong dream, Dravecky was diagnosed with cancer, a desmoid tumor, in the deltoid muscle of his pitching arm. The next years were a whirlwind of surgery, radiation, pain and depression. Eventually, his arm was amputated to stop the spread of the cancer and save his life. Today, Dravecky shares his experiences and what he’s learned in hopes of inspiring others to find encouragement and hope, no matter what life throws at them. He's coming to northeast Pennsylvania in May to speak at Man Up! at Clarks Summit University on May 19-20.

Pastor Josh Coldren, Associate Pastor at Cross Creek Community Church in Trucksville, PA, joined us on Wake Up Right recently to share with us a special, free, one-day conference that their church is hosting for pastors, church leaders, and anyone in ministry to be encouraged, refreshed, and equipped in ministry. Valuable for pastors, lay-leaders, and church members of any size church, the Refuel One-Day Conference is for anyone with a heart for discipleship. Speakers include Jonathan Falwell, Nathan Cline, Matt Wilmington, Dave Earley, and more. It's totally free, and includes free discipleship-making resources, worship, main sessions, breakouts, and a free Chick-fil-A lunch.

Ryan Newswanger recently joined us on Wake Up Right to share about the amazing impact of Jubilee Ministries in the Lackawanna and Luzerne County prisons! Ryan is the CEO of Jubilee Ministries, a prison ministry having impact for over 45 years. Jubilee currently has 14 chaplains serving in 9 correctional facilities. Jubilee focuses on heart change through Christ by bringing the gospel into the prisons and seeing life change through sharing it. One distinctive of Jubilee Ministries is their Aftercare Program. Jubilee Aftercare offers a structured, residential environment for those affected by incarceration which provides an individualized and holistic opportunity for life change. This includes addressing the deep needs of individuals caught in the cycles of incarceration, addiction, and unhealthy relationships.

Dr. Heather Holleman joined us on Wake Up Right for a great discussion about meaningful conversations and connection with others. A professor at Penn State, Heather recently published The Six Conversations: Pathways to Connecting Again in an Age of Isolation and Incivility, a book that reflects one of her deepest passions: to connect people in loving community. As we enter the holiday season, we may feel the tension of awkward relationships and dread small talk around the table or the conversations in the living room. It seems conversation is getting harder. Heather invites us to reimagine better conversations and demonstrates how we can develop authentic community by changing our relational mindsets to become more curious, to believe the best about others, to express concern about their lives, and to share our own. This book will equip you with effective questions, self-assessments, and action steps to immediately implement this Thanksgiving and Christmas with family and friends. Deepen your relationships with your spouse, children, friends, in-laws, grandchildren, coworkers, neighbors, and more as you read this book and grow in the art of The Six Conversations!

Tim Walker, a pastor at Restored Church in Wilkes-Barre, PA, joined us on Wake Up Right to share about the discipleship program The Timothy Initiative, an international disciple-making movement. The Timothy Initiative began in India and focuses on discipleship as multiplication to the fourth generation, where the discipled is able to also begin discipling others. The model is rooted in 2 Timothy 2:2 where Paul instructs Timothy to take what he has learned and entrust it "to faithful men, who will be able to teach others also." The Timothy Initiative helps shift believers to disciples, knowledge to obedience, disciple to disciple-maker, and addition to multiplication.

Peter Orr joined us on Wake Up Right during Pastor Appreciation Month to discuss his new book, Fight for Your Pastor. In recent years, a significant number of pastors have faced burnout or considered leaving the ministry. The office of pastor is simultaneously a rewarding and draining position. Pastors today have immense pressure on their shoulders and they need the support of their congregations. It's important to consider: Do you pray for your pastors? Do you encourage them? Do you have realistic expectations for them?

We live in an age increasingly cynical about leadership—some of it for good reason, much of it simply the mood of our times. Still, Christ appoints leaders in his church—not as a burden, but as a gift to his people. “He gave . . . the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry” (Ephesians 4:11–12). It was great to have David Mathis on Wake Up Right during Pastor Appreciation Month to talk about his new book on the nature, calling, and work of church leadership, Workers for Your Joy: The Call of Christ on Christian Leaders. This accessible guide aims to serve current and aspiring pastors and elders, as well as church members who want to know the expectations for their leaders and how to pray for them. From the words of Christ to Peter and Paul and Hebrews, the New Testament casts a vision for church leaders that is good news to churches and leaders alike: joyful workers for the joy of their people.

How is technology shaping your walk with Christ and how can Christians think wisely about our use of social media, the rise of misinformation and conspiracy theories, and the growing polarization in our increasingly digital society? That was the topic of our "Tech Tuesday" conversation with Jason Thacker on Wake Up Right. He explores these questions and more in his new book, Following Jesus in a Digital Age. You will not only be challenged on how technology is shaping your walk with Christ, but you will also be equipped with biblical wisdom to navigate the most difficult aspects of our digital culture—including the rise of misinformation, conspiracy theories, social media, digital privacy, and polarization. God calls his people to step into the challenges of the digital age from a place of hope and discernment, grounded in His Word. How will you follow Him in the digital age?

It was great to welcome Keith Getty, live from his tour bus, to Wake Up Right to tell us about Keith & Kristyn Getty's Christ Our Hope in Life And Death tour, making a stop in Dallas, PA on Sunday, October 30! Hear Keith's vision for their ministry at the beginning of his song-writing career many years ago, as well as his heart for some of their recent releases, impacting the next generation, building up the church, and more. 

Christina Kuc-Masker of Pathways Pregnancy Help Center in Kingston, PA joined us in the studio for a great conversation about the value and impact of Pathways in our community, especially as the church seeks to step up in even bigger ways to create a culture of life here in Pennsylvania. Pathways works to assess options, explore possibilities, and offer hope. Pathways is a resource from a woman's first questions about pregnancy options and parenting, and supports her through her pregnancy and beyond with training, resources, education, and more. Pathways life-affirming staff provides free pregnancy tests, ultrasounds, and counseling. Pathways now provides free ultrasounds as a medical clinic, having been working towards this since 2019. Beyond pregnancy, Pathways also provides an education through over 200 classes available for both moms and dads for two years following birth where each class earns points towards diapers, wipes, and more, which helps individuals or couples break cycles of generational challenges.

Kurt Weaver, Director of Strategic Partnerships for the Pennsylvania Family Institute, joined us on Wake Up Right to talk to us about our calling as Christians following the overturning of Roe v. Wade this past summer. The Pennsylvania Family Institute encourages responsible citizenship and involvement in civic affairs to promote respect for life, family, marriage and religious liberty, and their goal is for Pennsylvania to be a place where God is honored, religious freedom flourishes, families thrive, and life is cherished. Kurt shared some of the ways in which the church can help create a culture of life here in Pennsylvania, and invited us to join one of their upcoming Life After Roe events around the state in order to learn and participate, including one right here in NEPA.

As an author, speaker, and advocate for people with disabilities, Joni Eareckson Tada has inspired people around the world with her story of faith in the midst of suffering. This August, Joni published a wonderful new book, Songs of Suffering: 25 Hymns and Devotions for Weary Souls. In this beautiful collection of hymns and devotions she acts as a “song leader,” guiding readers through their own painful seasons with heartfelt praises to God. Songs of Suffering includes 25 hymns with accompanying devotions and photography designed to spark hope in hardship. Opening with a special message from hymn writers Keith and Kristyn Getty, this book is a source of comfort for anyone who needs biblical encouragement, prompting readers to seek refuge in the Lord and rejoice in his goodness. It was a joy to have Joni join us on WRGN, where, like Joni, we seek to use music to encourage you and build you up, whatever season you find yourself in.

Kristi, Todd, and Travis Walker, children of the late Mel Walker, recently joined us on Wake Up Right to honor their father and his life of faithful ministry, as well as to share about Mel's final book, Youth Ministry Questions: Lessons from a Life-Long Youth Worker. Mel's joy was investing his life into the next generation, and it's clear from our conversation that he did that beginning with his own family, as each of Mel's grown kids is in ministry and shares their dad's passion for discipleship. 

In her new 8-week Bible study, An Unexpected Revival: Experiencing God’s Goodness through Disappointment and Doubt, author Erica Wiggenhorn guides readers to encounter a unique picture of revival through Ezekiel’s prophecies. Erica recently joined us on Wake Up Right to share about her newest book and challenge us to know God more intimately as our Father and Creator. An Unexpected Revival sparks a fire in our longing heart to feel renewed excitement in our relationship with God. Instead of going through the motions, checking the boxes, and wondering why God feels so far away, Ezekiel teaches us to come close and invite God to fill us with fresh fire. God offers His joy, peace, and purpose to any who seek it.

Special conference guest Laura Story joined us on Wake Up Right; she's coming to NEPA next week for the 2022 LYFE Women's Conference! The theme is ONE, and you’ll learn about this important theme throughout the conference with keynote speaker Sherrie Holloway, and we also look forward to welcoming Laura Story for a Friday night concert! There are also breakout sessions during the conference, and one of the speakers will be Denise Warner, host of WRGN's worship program In Your Presence. LYFE is a great weekend of biblical teaching, meaningful worship, and lasting encouragement at Clarks Summit University! This has been a favorite event for thousands of women from across the eastern United States since 1983.

Matt Tarr and Greg Hauser recently joined us on Wake Up Right to share about the vision and values that are leading to the launching of High Point Classical Academy in Luzerne County. They explain the foundation of classical education and the way a biblical worldview and God's transcendent truth informs education.

Sherrie Holloway joined us on Wake Up Right to tell us more about LYFE Women's Conference–she will be the 2022 keynote speaker! Sherrie is a LYFE Women’s Conference favorite. When she speaks, audiences love to hear her passion—to know God and to help others experience the abundant life He desires for us. As a sought-after Bible teacher, she engages audiences nationally through her ministry “Wellspring Overflow.” Sherrie is a professor in Clarks Summit University’s Health and Human Performance Department with more than 30 years of teaching and 20 years of coaching experience at the college level. Her passionate teacher’s heart is revealed as she speaks to show Christ as a living reality. Author of For the Love of God, Sherrie’s second book is in the works, as she deepens her study of God’s Word as a doctoral student at Baptist Bible Seminary.

We're excited to let you know about a great weekend of biblical teaching, meaningful worship, and lasting encouragement at the LYFE Women’s Conference at Clarks Summit University! This has been a favorite event for thousands of women from across the eastern United States since 1983. Conference director, Terry Perrine, joined us on Wake Up Right to share her excitement for the conference. The 2022 conference theme is ONE! At LYFE Women’s Conference 2022, you’ll learn about this important theme throughout the conference with keynote speaker Sherrie Holloway, and we also look forward to welcoming Laura Story for a Friday night concert! There are also breakout sessions during the conference, and one of the speakers will be Denise Warner, host of WRGN's worship program In Your Presence.

Christina Kuc-Masker, director of Pathways Pregnancy Help Center, recently joined us on Wake Up Right to share about an upcoming study at Pathways in Kingston, PA. Surrendering the Secret is a free and confidential 8-week post abortion healing Bible study group led by trained peer counselors.

Give a listen to this great conversation Tim Madeira had with Derek Thompson about an upcoming Gateway to Freedom Weekend. The workshop is an intensive 3-day workshop for men seeking to overcome pornography and any other unwanted sexual struggles and strongholds. The next workshop in PA will be held April 22-24 at the Tuscarora Inn and Conference Center.

Burdens... we all have them. But are we carrying more burdens than are our own to carry? Have we taken on a heavier yoke than Jesus intends for us? Listen to Tim and Doug as they chatted about stress, burdens, and shrinking our world so we can focus on investing in things that matter, in the things that are right in front of us.

Author and Bible study teacher Erica Wiggenhorn joins us on Wake Up Right once again to share about her latest book, Letting God Be Enough. Drawing from the story of Moses—the greatest self-doubter in the Bible—Erica shows how self-doubt is tied closely to self-reliance. It’s only when you cast yourself on God that you find the true source of strength. Are you enough? The answer is no. . . but your God certainly is. Step out in His power instead of your own and watch your confidence blossom because you’re in the hands of I AM. It was great to have Erica back on the show with us!

The Collingsworth Family is bringing their "A True Family Christmas Tour" to the Lehigh Valley on December 1, and Phil Collingsworth joined Tim & Doug during Wake Up Right to talk about their music ministry. Their beautiful and energetic concert is filled with soaring harmonies, joyful melodies, and stunning instrumentation! You won't want to miss it!

Keystone Mission's 2nd Annual REAL TALK is happening today and tomorrow, October 13-14, on Public Square on Wilkes-Barre! REAL TALK is a 24-hour live stream event that was started to educate and bring awareness to the ever-growing pandemic of homelessness in Northeast PA.