The Journey radio station celebrates 10 years of God’s goodness

Liberty University’s radio station, 88.3 – The Journey FM, is celebrating its 10-year anniversary by highlighting God’s faithfulness in changing lives for the Gospel through the airwaves and online.

The Journey launched on Dec. 26, 2014, and since then has featured testimonies of transformed lives, stories of hope, and music that glorifies God and encourages listeners on their “journey” with Christ. Through this mission, the station continues the work of Liberty founder Dr. Jerry Falwell, who began his television and radio show “Old-Time Gospel Hour” in the 1950s. The station also broadcasts Liberty Flames Football games.

Falwell started the first campus radio station, The Victory Network, in 1981. The Victory Network remained a prominent part of the LU community for over 30 years, primarily broadcasting teaching and preaching programs, before its evolution into The Journey.

Since its launch, The Journey has continued to expand to reach listeners around the country and even the globe. Broadcasting on eight full-power FM stations and 10 translators in Virginia and North Carolina, as well as live on its website, myjourneyfm.com, and The Journey app, the network is supported by listeners from 47 states and four countries.

Since its inception, The Journey has found success on air, being named a nominee four times for Christian Music Broadcasters medium-market Station of the Year as well as being nominated for the National Association of Broadcasters Marconi Award.

“Morning Journey” show cohosts Kenny Robinson, who recently retired, and Brittany Minard won Lynchburg Living’s Best Radio DJ’s seven years in a row and were also inducted into the Lynchburg Living Hall of Fame.

The Journey staff held an anniversary celebration on Saturday at the Liberty Mountain Conference Center, with current and former radio staff, university leadership, and longtime listeners and supporters sharing how the station has positively impacted their lives and countless others.

President Dondi E. Costin highlighted the significance of the network’s name, noting that although a Christian’s eternal destination is set in stone, the journey to that destination remains largely uncertain. He also compared the radio station to air, arguing that just as someone relies on oxygen to survive but sometimes takes its lifegiving power for granted, Journey listeners may rely on the station more than they even recognize in the moment.

“The fact is this radio station, and the music that is played and the stories that are told, they meet us at points in our lives when we want to put a mask or facade on or put on a happy face, when the Lord know differently,” he said. “The Lord knows what we’re going through and He knows exactly in His sovereignty what we need to hear in the moment we need to hear it. Because of your support and supporters like you, He allows that to happen.”

Provost and Chief Academic Officer Dr. Scott Hicks echoed Costin’s sentiment, noting the Kingdom impact made by the network extends far beyond its immediate reach.

“This side of heaven, you will have no idea the impact you had at the Journey,” he told the staff. “You’re never going to know how big it was. It’s bigger than 47 states and four countries. When you’re long gone (from the network), it’s still going to keep going until He takes you home… I want you to keep doing the great work you’re doing; we are grateful for you, and we love you.”

Kate Justice, who hosts a midday show on The Journey, shared how the network helped her through an incredibly rough family situation long before she joined the staff. Through the consistent encouragement she received on the network, as well as support from family and friends, Justice found healing in Christ.

“When faced with tragedy and hardship, it is often easy to hear the voice of the enemy so much louder than the voice of truth,” she said. “Over and over, I found myself turning back to the places where I could hear truth and get the hope that I needed in my life so desperately at the time.”

“If you have ever listened, ever prayed, ever messaged us, ever showed up for an event, ever given a gift no matter how big or small, you have been part of this lifegiving, hope-giving ministry, and I for one am never going to get over that, and I hope you don’t either,” Justice added.

One listener also spoke on how the God used The Journey to comfort her and her husband through various previous and ongoing family health scares. In particular, she noted the couple found comfort in lyrics from songs by Christian musician Micah Tyler, who closed the evening’s festivities by performing some of his hit songs.

In addition to the great work done on air in proclaiming the Gospel, The Journey also partners with other ministry organizations like Blue Ridge Pregnancy Center, Compassion International, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Gleaning for the World, and more, to share Christ’s love with the community.

“The celebration was a great night to say thank you to listeners for their support over the years,” said Mark Edwards, general manager for The Journey. “It has been our privilege to share the Hope of Christ with listeners and hear from them how the music and ministry has impacted their lives. And a special thanks to the university for continuing to believe in the outreach in Virginia, North Carolina and literally around the world through the app and web stream.”

The Journey FM broadcasts on various stations through Virginia and parts of North Carolina; a full list of stations is available online. Listeners can also listen to the live broadcast through the website or the My Journey FM app.