The Journey radio station continues to build faith, family through Christian programming

Broadcasting out of its home at the Candlers Station Shopping Center near Liberty University’s campus, the university-owned radio station The Journey has continued to impact the lives of its listeners with Christian music, timely listener stories about life and faith, and multiple opportunities to contribute to those in need around them.

The Journey can be heard on 88.3 FM in Lynchburg, as well as 12 additional stations in Virginia and five in North Carolina (visit the station website for a full list of stations). It also airs Flames Football games, a daily Flames Minute athletics news segment, and promotional spots for Liberty’s football, men’s basketball, and women’s basketball teams.

Originally launched in 1981 as Victory FM, Liberty’s radio station first featured the radio ministry programs of Liberty founder Dr. Jerry Falwell. Over the years, the station transitioned from a format that included talk radio, Bible teaching, and Christian music to its current contemporary Christian music format.

Station Manager Mark Edwards has been working in radio broadcasting at Liberty for 30 years. His first day on the job was the night of his high school graduation. Through the years, Edwards said the connection with regular listeners has grown consistently and is his favorite aspect of the job.

“The thing I appreciate even more the longer I’m in it is hearing from the listeners about what we mean to them,” he said. “It’s the stories that they share. We learn so much from them about the faith they have. For us, it goes both ways; we’re able to be a vehicle to encourage them and share the love of Christ with them, but they do the same for us as well. When we talk about The Journey family, that’s what we mean.”

The reach of The Journey extends further than just the radio waves, evidenced by a recent email Edwards received from a listener in Australia. The woman was a Liberty alumna who said she  first found comfort in listening to The Journey while dealing with health issues when she was a student on campus. This year, when she began to experience health issues again, she listened to The Journey online (listen live at myjourneyfm.com). Edwards said her story is one of many from around the country and the world about lives changed and faith renewed through The Journey.

Earlier this year, The Journey was named a finalist for the 2022 medium-market Station of the Year by Christian Music Broadcasters (CMB) after being a finalist in 2020 and a runner-up in 2017.

Morning hosts Kenny Robinson and Brittany Minard were recently named “Best Radio DJs” by Lynchburg Living magazine for the sixth consecutive year. Knowing that the award is based on listener voting, the duo said the honor is special.

“It’s definitely something we don’t take for granted. We get nervous about it every year, and to have it be six years in a row is crazy,” Minard said. “There’s a lot of other outlets they could be listening to, so it means a lot to us. We’re just in here in the studio, talking, and we don’t know the impact that we have until listeners call in and say things like, ‘You make my mornings’ or “Thanks for reminding me that God is in control.’”

“It’s all for the listeners, so it’s special to know that that’s who voted for us,” Robertson added. “We see them at events or concerts, and they come up to us, and that’s a day-maker right there, talking with them.”

In September, The Journey held its fall Partner Invitation and received 106 percent of their original goal.

“We were thrilled by the commitment that our listeners made, especially coming out of COVID and then also with the news of where we are with higher gas prices,” Edwards said. “For us, it was a testament to their faith through the giving that they made and their commitment to us and what we’re doing.”

The station and its dedicated listeners are also committed to serving their neighbors throughout the year through multiple fundraisers and drives for local and international organizations, including the annual Operation Christmas Child through Samaritan’s Purse, a baby bottle campaign to support the Blue Ridge Pregnancy Center, and a teacher supply drive in partnership with the Christian bookstore Mardel.

Listen to The Journey live at myjourneyfm.com or on the My Journey FM app.