WNZR seeks to "Let it be love"

WNZR staff kicked off their annual fundraiser, Lifeline, this week.

WNZR is the local Christian radio station of Knox County and an educational platform for MVNU broadcast students.

This year’s goal is $62,000.

The station is listener supported, meaning that Lifeline provides most of the financial resources used to pay station operating costs and the salaries of student employees.

According to Director of Broadcasting Joe Rinehart, Lifeline accounts for about 60 percent of WNZR’s annual operating budget making it vital to the existence of the station.

Over the years, Lifeline donations have made it possible to purchase a satellite dish, sports broadcasting equipment, online streaming hard drives, a remote broadcast van (Big Blue), mobile applications for both Apple and Android devices, website support, new computers and much more.

As they prepare for the annual event, WNZR staff selected a theme to focus on at the station and in their personal lives. This year’s theme is “Let It Be Love” focusing on God’s call to Christians to love one another as Christ loves them.

“There are lots of different types of love but the love we’re talking about is the love of Christ in us so deep that it drives us to action,” Rinehart said.

Together he and the staff hope to show love in everything they do. The goal is to remind themselves and the community to be selfless, to reach out to others and to respond in love.

The theme verses are John 13:34-35, which say, “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”

This verse lines up with the Family Force 5 song, “Let it Be Love.”

Though the station has a strong theme and direction, Rinehart admits that there are still some difficulties that come with fundraising.

“It’s really hard to ask people for their money. A lot of our students feel very uncomfortable with that,” said Rinehart.

All students involved are required to attend an eight-hour training meeting leading up to the fundraiser.

During the meeting, students practice answering phones and taking donations. Students also prepare spiritual and inspiration material for their on-air hours during the fundraiser.

WNZR Promotions Director Dan Monnin, who will be on-air and answering phones during Lifeline 2017, said he is thankful for the chance to get involved in this unique experience.

“It makes me feel good that I can give back to the community,” said Monnin.

To give to the station, visit http://www.wnzr.fm/donate.html or call 740-392-9090. The fundraiser will continue through 6 p.m. Monday.

For more information about Lifeline 2017, visit wnzr.fm.