Musician Billy Ballenger is in the studio to graciously share his incredible testimony and his new three-song EP of Christmas music! Billy Ballenger’s personal story reads like a movie script, and his music is driven by his heart to create a song that speaks for those who have no voice and inspire those who do! Today, his journey fuels his passion for sharing the Hope of Jesus Christ with audiences around the world, including Russia, China, and worldwide television. His non-profit, Break the Grey Inc., has performed school assemblies at hundreds of public schools across the Midwest and parts of Canada, and he’s shared his testimony and music with more than 500,000 listeners at festivals, conferences, churches, camps, and other venues. In 2020, Billy joined the Winter Jam Tour Spectacular lineup—performing in 31 arenas around the country. He has released six full-length recordings, along with two EPs: 2020’s Walking on Waves, 2021's Tree and the Nails, and several 2022 singles like Mercy, I Believe it, Close to You, and more. His story has been featured on the 700 Club, Life Today, 100 Huntley Street, "Weathering the Storm" with Ryan Stevenson, and in Home Life Magazine among other leading media outlets. Billy is incredibly grateful for the friendships and collaboration he’s found touring with artists like Building 429, NewSong, and so many more. However, He’s not done yet! To make an impact wherever he goes, he continues to accept opportunities to expand his outreach to reflect the hope of Jesus Christ through his music and speaking.

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Melissa Briggs, an expert in Hebrew, will talk with us about the Hebrew word, Adonai Tzidkenu.  Melissa is an experienced Hebrew teacher passionate about making the language of the Scriptures accessible to everyone. Born in the USA, Melissa studied Hebrew in Jerusalem, then taught in England for over a decade. She now lives in Nashville, Tennessee with her husband and two children. She loves helping students to achieve their goals of reading the Bible in the original language or learning to converse in Modern Hebrew.

Pastor Mike Novotny also joins the morning show to give us insight into his book When Life Hurts: How to See Through Suffering. Pastor Novotny takes us through the book of Job to help us build a framework for when we suffer. Pastor Novotny has served God’s people in full-time ministry since 2007 in Madison and, most recently, at The CORE in Appleton, Wisconsin. He also serves as the lead speaker for Time of Grace, where he shares the good news about Jesus through television, print, and online platforms.

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Start your day with a devotional from Blackaby Ministries International about God's invitations!

Surely the Lord GOD does nothing, Unless He reveals His secret to His servants the prophets.   Amos 3:7

In addition, Dr. Marina Hofman joins the conversation on Dawn and Steve in the Morning to share her powerful story of trauma, redemption, and restoration. Dr. Hofman has written the small group Bible study Women in the Bible.  Dr. Hofman (PhD) is an award-winning author and scholar, a professor at Palm Beach Atlantic University, and a frequent media guest providing biblical perspectives of current issues, women's issues, and parenting. She is an advocate for freedom and inspires audiences to find courage by highlighting examples of women in the Bible. Marina is a homeschool mom of a 3-year-old, a survivor of a life-threatening trauma, and a champion for women. Marina engages readers with fresh insights and a positive, encouraging, and life-giving perspective. As a survivor of life-threatening trauma, Marina is passionate about sharing her incredible testimony of God’s redemption and the healing and the hope she has in Christ.

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Do you have questions about the Bible? Dr. Michael Rydelnik will join Dawn and Steve in the Morning to take questions from listeners! Dr. Michael Rydelnik is a professor of Jewish Studies at Moody Bible Institute and the Bible teacher on Moody Radio's Open Line.

The Reverand Percy Wilson McCray Jr. is a guest on Dawn and Steve in the Morning to provide some tips for helping loved ones navigate the challenging world of cancer and hospital visits. Rev. McCray is co-host of the award-winning podcast, Health, Hope & Inspiration.

Rev. McCray has spent more than 20 years ministering to cancer patients and their caregivers at Cancer Treatment Centers of America® (CTCA). He recognizes cancer care ministry as a special calling from God and considers faith a key, but often overlooked, component of cancer treatment. He now serves as the Director of Faith-Based Programs at CTCA® and provides leadership to the pastoral care staff at all five CTCA hospitals. In addition, Rev. McCray oversees Our Journey of Hope®, a nationwide cancer care ministry training, and support program. An ordained minister, Rev. McCray is a member of the U.S. Chaplain Association. 

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Melissa Briggs, an expert in Hebrew, will talk with us about the Hebrew word, Sar Shalom.  Melissa is an experienced Hebrew teacher passionate about making the language of the Scriptures accessible to everyone. Born in the USA, Melissa studied Hebrew in Jerusalem, then taught in England for over a decade. She now lives in Nashville, Tennessee with her husband and two children. She loves helping students to achieve their goals of reading the Bible in the original language or learning to converse in Modern Hebrew.

Also, Dr. Charlie Dyer, will give us insight into his new book Experiencing the Land of the Book: A Life-Changing Journey through Israel.  Charlie served for 33 years on the faculty and in the administration of three different institutions, including 20 years at Dallas Seminary and ten years as Provost of the Moody Bible Institute. In 2010 Charlie became Professor-at-Large of Bible for Moody Bible Institute and host of The Land and the Book radio program, which is heard on more than 350 stations across the United States. For much of his time in ministry, Charlie has taken groups to Israel and the other lands of the Bible. Over the past four decades, he has traveled to Israel nearly a hundred times, helping several thousand people experience firsthand the life-changing impact that comes from spending time in the land of the Bible. In addition to his speaking, teaching, and guiding, Charlie has authored or co-authored numerous books. Charlie and his wife Kathy live near Phoenix, Arizona. They have two grown children and four grandchildren

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When you become a Christian, it is a transformation. Start your week with a devotional from Blackaby Ministries International "enlarging your tent."

Enlarge the place of your tent, And let them stretch out the curtains of your dwellings; Do not spare; Lengthen your cords, And strengthen your stakes.   Isaiah 54:2

In addition, don't miss the conversation about Leslie Speas new book From Hot Mess to God's Best: Decluttering Your Mess to Be Your Best. Leslie Speas is an author from North Carolina who is a self-proclaimed "hot mess". Her first book is Confessions of a Hot Mess: From Mess to MESSage. Through her book and her blog, she shares humor, stories, Scripture, and tips to help others bolster their faith and find strength in their struggles.

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Erick Goss, Executive Director of Minno, will tell us about some wonderful family programming for this Christmas season! Erick is a digital media executive with expertise in content, community, and e-commerce development.

Dawn will also have a conversation with Don Schoendorfer about the Free Wheelchair Mission! Don is a biomedical engineer who makes his home in Santa Ana, California. He has an undergraduate degree from Columbia University and a PhD in mechanical engineering from MIT. In addition, he holds more than 60 patents in the biomedical field.

More than 20 years ago, Don turned his God-given and MIT-developed engineering talents to solving the problem of immobility in developing countries. There are an estimated 75 million people with disabilities in the developing world who need a wheelchair, the vast majority of whom cannot get one on their own. The causes of disability range from illnesses and congenital conditions to injuries caused by accidents, landmines, and the effects of war. Working in his garage, Don built prototype wheelchairs that would become the iconic GEN_1 model, originally made of a standard white plastic lawn chair and two mountain bike tires mounted to a steel frame. Free Wheelchair Mission was born. 

Since 2001, the nonprofit that Don started has designed, manufactured, and distributed 1.3 million wheelchairs for people living with disabilities in 94 developing countries worldwide. When he is not busy working on wheelchairs, Don enjoys spending time with his three daughters and two amazing granddaughters.

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Melissa Briggs, an expert in Hebrew, will talk with us about the Hebrew word, Pele Yoetz.  Melissa is an experienced Hebrew teacher passionate about making the language of the Scriptures accessible to everyone. Born in the USA, Melissa studied Hebrew in Jerusalem, then taught in England for over a decade. She now lives in Nashville, Tennessee with her husband and two children. She loves helping students to achieve their goals of reading the Bible in the original language or learning to converse in Modern Hebrew.

In addition, Gabby Capurso graciously shares her testimony, a family's beautiful story of redemption. Gabby is the mother of four boys and a school counselor at Providence Christian Academy in Murfreesboro, TN.

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Listen as Dawn shares a devotional from Blackaby Ministries International about relying on the Spirit of God rather than our own resources. 

This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel: "Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit, 'Says the LORD of hosts."   Zechariah 4:6

In addition, author Lynette Eason tells us all about her new book Critical Threat: Extreme Measures! Lynette is the best-selling, award-winning author of over fifty books including the Women of Justice series, the Deadly Reunions series, the Hidden Identity series, the Elite Guardians series, and the Blue Justice series. She writes for Revell and for Harlequin’s Love Inspired Suspense line. Her books have appeared on the CBA, ECPA, and Publisher’s Weekly bestseller lists. She has won several awards including the Carol Award, the IRCC award, the Selah, and the Christian Retailing’s Best 2017 Award. She placed in the top ten in the James Patterson 2016 co-writer contest. The movie, Her Stolen Past, based on Lynette’s novel with the same title, aired on February 2, 2018 on the Lifetime Movie Network. Lynette lives in Simpsonville, South Carolina with her husband and is the mother of two grown children.

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Dr. Mark Turman from the Denison Forum talks about the importance of having a true living relationship with Christ and spurring one another on to love and good deeds! Dr. Mark Turman is the Executive Director of Denison Forum. He previously served as the founding pastor of Crosspoint Church in McKinney, Texas. Mark was raised in Tyler in a large Roman Catholic family. At seventeen, he made a personal commitment to Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord and later committed to vocational ministry during his freshman year in college at Howard Payne University. He completed his undergraduate program there before completing a Master of Theology degree from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary and, later, a Doctorate of Ministry through Truett Seminary. He married his high school sweetheart, Judi, and they have two children and one grandchild.

In addition, Rachelle Starr will encourage us to answer God's call to be the light in the darkest places. Rachelle founded Scarlet Hope, a nonprofit dedicated to sharing the hope of Jesus with women in the adult entertainment industry. Rachelle is also a speaker and author and has written the book Outrageous Obedience. 

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