Two years ago in September, I moved into the Greenup County, KY area from Gatlinburg, Tennessee. Certain circumstances and sickness had helped me to decide that I needed to live close to my family. I really loved Tennessee with all of it’s music entertainment, artists, mountains and friendly people,. I had met some wonderful people who were like family to me. I enjoyed the local Praise 96.3 Southern Gospel radio station that had carried me through up until now. I would surely miss it! I didn’t know if I would ever be happy anywhere else.
Those were the thoughts that were passing through my mind as I was leading the caravan of vehicles that was carrying my personal belongings to move me to be near my family where I would recuperate from cancer.
As a child I had grown up singing with my family in various churches. Each weekend was full of singing at revivals, reunions, homecomings and songfests. It was a way of life for me. During the 5 hour trip, my mind went all the way back to those childhood days to the present. I was beginning to wonder what the Lord had in store for me, or if I was just going to live out my final days in Greenup county where grandma had raised a large Christian family. She had laid the foundation of faith for my mom and it filtered on down to me. In fact, I was 8 years old when I had given my heart to the Lord at grandma’s house. My faith had been birthed long ago and now it was put to the test. I had no doubt in what the Lord could do, I just didn’t know what He had in mind.
As I turned off Rt. 23 to Rt.7 in the little village of South Shore, KY. I looked over to my right and there was a sign in the window that said 98.3 JOY-FM. I turned my dial to the station, and I couldn’t believe the wonderful music that came into my car. I couldn’t wait to get moved in and settled as I headed up the trail to a woodsy, quiet lot on the mountain where my brother and sisters were waiting to help me get unloaded and situated. It was a wonderful sight to behold, standing there with outstretched arms with a welcome that only God could have ordained. The clouds started disappearing and the blessings started replacing the dread I had felt.
As I looked around, I noticed a radio intercom system throughout the home. That evening as I kicked back after the long drive and all the hustle and bustle of the move, I reached for my Bible and turned on 98.3 JOY-FM. What a wonderful, soothing feeling. It brought me much comfort; my sorrow started turning into rejoicing!
Later, I would find myself stopping in to talk to the employees of the station, with my testimony of healing and how the Lord had brought me through my difficulty and sickness. I began volunteering my time to the radio station as I felt stronger.
I found that these people are so genuine and they love the Lord. JOY-FM is not just a place of employment, but it is a ministry that goes on daily. It is felt among the people who work here and it spills out through the DJ’s as they are on the air. There is a sweet, peaceful spirit that you feel when you walk in the door.
There are not many places you can live where you can get this kind of music. Sometimes, we can take these things for granted as with just one push of a button JOY-FM is there. It takes a lot of work and sacrifices along with working together to make this all come about. If it wasn’t here it would be so greatly missed.
I hope JOY-FM can help other people like it has helped me. There is no dollar value that can compare to the freedom of turning on your radio and getting that consoling feeling that flows into your car and home. It gets into your spirit and gives you hope; then you “know” you can make it one more hour or one more day and even into the lonely night when no one but you and the Lord and JOY-FM seem to be awake.
Thank you JOY-FM management and to all of you who have supported it and kept it going for 7 years. I have decided to do my part to see what I can do to expand their borders. Would you like to help me? Do you have a testimony? Call me at 1-877-4-JOYFM-1 or e-mail me at ruthmarie@wokejoyfm.org.
Loving the Lord and enjoying his divine healing and inspirations through radio.
Keeping Joy in the air!
Ruth Marie Hymer
Business Partner Rep.
