WRGN ❮❮Rewind

Pastor Justin Bleuer (Berean Bible Church in Greene, New York) joined us on Wake Up Right this morning to share his experience of visiting Asbury University this week and talked to us about the meaning of revival and the history of revival in the United States. Justin referenced the First Great Awakening in the 1700s, the Second Great Awakening in the 1800s, and others, as well as a revival that occurred at Asbury University in the 1970s. Justin discussed the simplicity of revival–bringing something back to life that used to be alive, and that it always starts with the people of God. Justin shares transparently about the personal conviction he's experienced since his visit.

Original air date on WRGN's Wake Up Right: February 17, 2023

Dr. Christopher Yuan recently joined us on Wake Up Right to share part of his incredible testimony of transformation from an agnostic gay man to a Bible professor. Dr. Yuan will be at Fellowship Church in Dallas, PA for a free seminar, Biblical Sexuality: Embracing Christ Over Culture, coming up on Sunday, March 19 from 3-7 pm. You won't want to miss this, and you'll hear why once you hear this glimpse of his story! Learn more and register for the free conference >

As more confusion abounds on sexuality and gender, Dr. Christopher Yuan powerfully articulates that God's truth is crystal clear not gray. Through the narrative of his personal transformation from an agnostic gay man to a Bible professor and through his graduate level education in biblical languages, theology, and even health sciences, Dr. Yuan casts a compelling vision of not embracing our sexuality, but embracing Christ, thus shattering the paradigms of gay and straight and pointing us toward the biblical standard of holy sexuality.

Original air date on WRGN's Wake Up Right: February 13, 2023

Thad Bergmeier joined us on Wake Up Right recently to share more about the Church Solutions Conference by EveryEthne and the ways that EveryEthne is helping churches take their next step on the path to multiplication. Thad is the Executive Director of EveryEthne, the North American team of ABWE, a global missions sending agency. EveryEthne seeks to mobilize the local church in North America to reach every ethnic group in North America through disciplemaking that multiplies leaders and churches. As part of that mission, they're hosting two  of their Church Solutions Conferences in our listening area in March.

The Church Solutions Conference will be held locally on March 16 in Spring City, PA and on March 17 in Clarks Summit, PA, and includes lunch, and a bundle of resources valued at more than $70. The conference will help you discover simple, Biblical steps your church can take to get on a path to reproduction that will fully engage your congregation in the mission of God and you'll leave with the clarity and resources you need to take your next step in becoming a reproducing church. Learn more and register >

Original air date on WRGN's Wake Up Right: February 3, 2023

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.

Be inspired and learn what effective disciple-makers do from local like-minded disciple-making community of leaders. Learn more and register for the conference >

Original air date on WRGN's Wake Up Right: January 6, 2022

Have you ever been disappointed or frustrated with your inability for consistent Bible study? Reading through the Bible in a year can feel daunting. It can be hard to know how—or where—to start. Perhaps you just need a friend who follows Jesus to help. Trillia Newbell is a trusted Bible teacher and lover of the Scriptures. She describes herself as a "forever student" and she'd like nothing more than for you to join her in the grand and thrilling adventure of growing in the knowledge and love of Jesus Christ! Rather than jumping around the Bible, you can jump into Trillia's new book, 52 Weeks in the Word, that will take you through the entirety of the Scriptures in one year! 

Trillia joined us on Wake Up Right recently to tell us about this new companion guide and encourage us in consistent Bible reading. As you prepare your devotional reading plan for 2023, take a listen to this conversation and consider 52 Weeks in the Word as a companion to your reading! 52 Weeks in the Word provides:

Original air date on WRGN's Wake Up Right: Monday, December 12, 2022

We often feel overworked and overrun, defeated, and discouraged. The world says be productive so that you can get all you can out of this life. The Bible says be productive so you can gain more of the next life. In his new book Redeeming Productivity: Getting More Done for the Glory of God, author Reagan Rose explores how God's glory is the purpose for which He planted us, and he shows how productivity must be firmly rooted in the gospel. Only through our connection to Christ—the True Vine—are we empowered to produce good fruit. Reagan joined us on Wake Up Right last week to share about his media ministry (and brand new book of the same name), Redeeming Productivity.

As we enter a new year, we will be surrounded with messages about setting goals, getting more done, and reprioritizing for 2023. Maybe you'll start a new Bible reading plan or devotional. Before you set your goals for 2023, check out Reagan's great book Redeeming Productivity which shows how we can maintain the vitality of our connection to Christ through simple, life-giving disciplines. Readers will discover manageable applications like giving God the first fruits of our days, and Reagan's five pillars of Christian productivity provide theological truths about our relationship to God to form the biblical foundation of productivity for the glory of God. He also discusses how our perspective on suffering is transformed as we see trials as God's pruning for greater productivity.

Original air date on WRGN's Wake Up Right: December 9, 2022

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.

It was a joy to hear Ryan's heart for transformative ministry during our conversation! Be sure to listen, pray, and have your heart stirred for the sharing of the gospel in our correctional facilities! Learn more about the mission and vision of Jubilee Ministries >

Original air date on WRGN's Wake Up Right: November 14, 2022

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!

Dr. Heather Holleman writes books, teaches advanced writing at Penn State, and speaks regularly to encourage audiences to connect deeply with Jesus and one another. Most recently, she's become passionate about fighting the loneliness epidemic by inviting readers to enjoy better conversations. She and her husband are passionate about helping believers and churches developing a culture of evangelism. Learn more at heatherholleman.com.

Original air date on WRGN's Wake Up Right: November 18, 2022

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.

To learn more about The Timothy Initiative in NEPA or to get involved, contact Tim Walker at tim[at]restoredchurch.org or visit The Timothy Initiative's website to learn more.

Original air date on WRGN's Wake Up Right: November 17, 2022

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?

Peter has written Fight for Your Pastor as an exhortation for church members to stand behind their pastors through the difficulties of ministry. Peter specifies ways in which congregations can be intentional in caring for church leaders, including prayer, encouragement, generosity, and forgiveness. Featuring stories from current pastors about their struggles, this book is perfect for thoughtful church members eager to understand the weight of their pastors’ positions and support leaders in their important ministry. Learn more about the new book at crossway.org.

Original air date on WRGN's Wake Up Right:  October 13, 2022