Hometown Heroes

On this edition of Hometown Heroes, we speak with Jacob Witter of Wellsville, New York...one of an estimated 20 milion people worldwide living with schizophrenia.  He's also become an advocate for others dealing with the illness...And credits his faith with a significant role in helping him to manage it. Jacob also leads a group called "The Battling Mind Striders," formed to improve mebers' mental and physical health

April is National Card and Letterwriting Month, and Tammy Dunmire at Victory Highway Wesleyan Church in Painted Post, New York could write you a long letter about the impact of their card and letterwriting ministry. She tells us about it on this edition of Hometown Heroes.

Love I.N.C. (In the Name of Christ) of Southern Chautauqua County is part of a nationwide ministry that partners with area churches to  transform lives and communities in the name of Christ by helping those churches to better help people. On this edition of Hometown Heroes, we learn more about it from executive director Susan Justham.

The joy and meaning of Easter springs from understanding Christ's sacrifice on Good Friday. That's the intent of an annual walk-through experience presented by an area church. On this edition of Hometown Heroes, we speak with Carolyn Doster from First Trinity Lutheran Church in Tonawanda, New York, about their annual "Journey Through Good Friday experience.

On this edition of Hometown Heroes, we talk lwith Scot Stuzman, primcipal of CHautaqua Christian Academy - providing a faith-based education alternative to Western New York for the past 50 years.

Helping boys become godly young men. That's the mission of the Royal Rangers - a long-time ministry of the Assemblies of God church. On this edition of Hometown Heroes, we learn more about it from Richard Merrill, a leader with Royal Rangers Outpost 42 in Batavia, NY.

Saving lives in the sky! On this edition of Hometown Heroes. our guest is Hector Camacho - a Hornell, New York-based flight medic for LifeNet who recently hit a remarkable milestone of 1,000 patient transports.

On this edition of Hometown Heroes, we  hear the amazing story of Tom Cillo, who finally realized his dream of playing college football this past season at Williamsport's Lycoming College - at 58 years old. His story made news around the nation - and beyond - and inspired a lot of late bloomers.. 

Ministering to pregnant women in Pennsylvania's "Coal Country" region. On this edition of Hometown Heroes, we speak with Michele Moyer with the Shine Women's Center ...a ministry offering compassionate pregnancy services and solutions in the Hazleton area.  

On this edition of Hometown Heroes, we visited Bayview Chapel on the campus of Revive Wesleyan Church in Hamburg, NY to talk with Pastor Jon Horton - one of a growing number of pastors who will be offering what have come to be known as 'Blue Christmas' services...intended to comfort those whose Christmas season coincides with a personal season of grief.

This week's guest is Dan Miller - a Southern Tier pastor who, along with his wife, Elaine, has been volunteering for many years with "Wreaths Across America" - a program that honors America's war dead by placing wreaths on the graves of service personnel in national cemeteries, including those in Bath and Elmira, New York.   

Helping men young and old through the power of the Gospel. This is part 2 of our "Hometown Heroes" interview with Ray Rossler and Pat Fahey of the Buffalo Adult and Teen Challenge ministry...providing hope and healing to those struggling with life control issues. Learn more about the ministry here. 

On this edition of "Hometown Heroes," we hear from Nate and Alex Johns - sons of Pastor Eric Johns from the Buffalo Dream Center, who raised awareness of - and support for - Buffalo's homeless population by spending a week on the street with them each Thanksgiving Week for 25 years. Now his sons Nate and Alex carry on that tradition.

Helping men young and old through the power of the Gospel. On this edition of "Hometown Heroes," we hear from Ray Rossler and Pat Fahey of the Buffalo Adult and Teen Challenge ministry...providing hope and healing to those struggling with life control issues. The ministry is holding its fall banquet fundraiser on Friday, Nov, 21st, 2025 at 6:30 pm at The Chapel - Apex Building, 2435 Hopkins Road, Getzville, NY. 

On Veteran's Day, 2025, we hear from Matt Souter, a retired United States Marine Corps veteran who now counsels fellow veterans in New York's Southern Tier. 

Raising awareness about domestic violence. That's one of the missions of Catholic Charities of Chemung and Schuyler counties in upstate New York. In this edition of "Hometown Heroes," Katie Rhodes discusses the current state of the issue, as well as ways her organization assists victims and promotes prevention.

On this edition of "Hometown Heroes," we continue our interview with Pennsylvania missionary Todd Gallagher, who recently returned from his most recent stint serving in Ukraine, as well as aiding Ukrainian refugees in neighboring Romania - something he's been doing ever since the Russian invasion began. Gallagher is the founder of "A18 Missions" - named for Acts 1:8.  This is part two of a special two-part "Hometown Heroes." You can learn more about A-18 Missions here. 

On this edition of "Hometown Heroes," we check back with a Pennsylvania missionary for an update on the situation in Ukraine. Todd Gallagher recently returned from his most recent stint serving in Ukraine, as well as aiding Ukrainian refugees in neighboring Romania - something he's been doing ever since the Russian invasion began. Gallagher is the founder of "A18 Missions" - named for Acts 1:8.  This is part one of a special two-part "Hometown Heroes."

Putting the pro-life message front and center. On this edition of Hometown Heroes, our guest is Angelique Clark - founder of Life Dress - promoting the pro-life cause with clothing art that makes that message hard to miss. She's the guest speaker at a fall banquet supporting the Southern Tier's Pregnancy Resource Center of the Valleys. Learn more about her work at lifedress.org

Meeting women in need like Christ met the "Woman at the Well in John 4. On this edition of Hometown Heroes, our guest is Kara Kennemuth - Executive Director of Women at the Well Ministries of Pennsylvania - providing multi-faceted assistance to women struggling with addiction, life after incarceration and other challenging issues.

Bringing the warmth of a quilt, and the warmth of Christ. That's the goal of "Cozy Quilt Ministries" - which has provided over 9,000 quilts to cancer patients, along with the encouragement of the Gospel message. In this edition of "Hometown Heroes," founder Kelley Carson tells the story of this amazing ministry, which began with a single quilt for a friend over 20 years ago. Contact them at: [email protected] or via their Facebook page. 

The faith behind the newfound fame. On this edition of Hometown Heroes, the amazing story of Chris Lomax. Many have seen the Hornell, New York man in a feature by CBS News, but that piece had a big missing piece: The central role Chris's faith has played in his success story as a legally blind baker. You can follow Chris here.

Most of today's pro hockey stars got their start with teams such as the "Elmira Impact", which features talented young players from all around the globe in a developmental league...the players living with area host families who volunteer. On this edition of "Hometown Heroes," we hear from the Impact's Tim Kolpien about the program and its impact on both the young players and the area families who host them. He spoke with our Bob Price. Their website is https://www.elmiraimpact.com

Providing pregnancy care and a whole lot more. In this edition of Hometown Heroes, we hear from Michael Arrinton, director of Care Net Penn Yan, a ministry providing numerous services for pregnant women, mothers and fathers in the Finger Lakes. Services include free pregnancy testing, referrals for no-cost limited ultrasounds, material assistance such as clothing and baby supplies, peer counseling services, and parenting classes. our services exist to empower individuals so that they can live an abundant life filled with meaningful purpose and lasting joy. Their website is https://www.carenetpy.com/

Bringing God's Word into public schools...and kids' hearts. On this edition of “Hometown Heroes,” we hear from Stacy Novak and Katie Green from the 'Bible 2 Schools' program in the Johnstown, Pennsylvania area...providing free elective Bible classes to elementary schiool children during their public school day.  

An annual Western New York celebration returns. Created at the end of the pandemic to bring hope, The Way Church in Sanborn, New York hosts an annual summertime celebration called "Ignite the Waterfront" - bringing a combination of family fun and the hope of the gospel to believers and non-believers alike. We speak with organizer Maria Whitman about this popular gathering along the Niagara River in the City of Tonawanda's Niawanda Park.

Independence Day is less than three weeks away, and a Pennsylvania church is taking advantage of the popular holiday to connect people with the Gospel. On this edition of “Hometown Heroes,” we hear from Pastor Brandt Fuller with New Beginnings Church of Christ in Meadville' about their upcoming tenth annual "Ultimate Freedom" event.

Making a difference with music. That's the goal of Bridge Studios in Titusville, Pennsylvania - a nonprofit that offers affordable music instruction and much more to the community. On this edition of "Hometown Heroes", we hear from co-founder David Southwick, who wasn't looking to form a nonprofit. However, God had other plans...  

Combining the Gospel and living in God's creation to reach troubled young men. That's the goal of Bald Eagle Camp near Lock Haven, Pennsylvania...a structured wilderness therapy camp helping boys overcome life challenges and build resilience. Our guest on this edition of "Hometown Heroes" is Camp Director Laverne Beachy.  

May is Foster Care Month, and most every day of the year is about foster care for Cheryl Flick. The Western New York woman has not only fostered 15 children, but,since 2018, has also been working with other foster parents to operate the Western New York Foster Closet, distributing donated clothing and other necessities for foster families.

Called to serve victims of Hurricane Helene. Youth and adults at Bellefonte, Pennsylvania's Watermarke Church are hoping for support as they team with other local churches for a missions trip Our guest on this edition of Hometown Heroes is Watermarke Assistant Pastor Brad Heltman, who's helping to lead that trip.

Using the universal love of a friendly therapy dog to break down barriers to the Gospel. That's the premise behind a national ministry known as "Canines 4 Christ." Jessica Vamos is with the Keystone Chapter, serving Cambria, Huntingdon and Blair counties in Pennsylvania. Learn more at k9forchrist.org.

Tackling the painful topic of sex abuse and human trafficking is something Abba Ministries Counseling Center in Slippery Rock, Pennsylvania has been doing for over 40 years, led by pastor and counselor Mike Bruno. His front line stories aren't easy listening, but are crucial to truly understanding the depth and seriousness of the problem.

In this episode of "Hometown Heroes," Lisa Lyon - Executive Director of "The Relief Zone" tells us about the faith-based, multi-faceted childcare program in the Chautaqua County community of Frewsburg. known locally as "TRZ", which has been going strong for over 20 years.

In this episode of "Hometown Heroes," Bath, NY Ccentral School District Superintendent Kelly Houck discusses Haverling High School's successful collaboration with the Food Bank of the Southern Tier to operate an in-school grocery store known as 'Ram-Mart.'

On this "Best of" edition of Hometown Heroes, we revisit our interview with Pennsylvania missionary Todd Gallagher, who recounts his experiences in Ukraine at the start of the Russian invasion over three years ago.

Mike Hennessey with "Youth for Christ" in Rochester, NY uses basketball to address an epidemic of fatherlessness in the "Flower City"

Farmers Helping Farmers  (Part 2) Helping with Hay for Hurricane Helene's victims   Brittany Eisenman organized fellow northwest Pennsylvania farm families to ship hay to North Carolina and Tennessee farmers devastated flooding caused by Hurricane Helene. That effort that has produced countless faith stories for those involved.  This is Part Two of Mark Webster's conversation about how farmers help farmers -- and Christians help neighbors, even those who are a distance away. The widespread response from the community is heartening to those who are helping, and for those who have received this practical compassion. You also can hear Part One of our "Hometown Heroes" interview. Check it out on our 2/26/2025 feature podcast. You can send a link so someone else among your family, friends or congregation can hear it. All of our original Family Life Podcasts are also available to download, or click Subscribe to be notified each time a new episode goes online.   For further details and photos from this "Hay Lift", there is additional coverage from multiple farm journals and local websites. For more about the ministry which is overseeing the logistics of these deliveries, go to the website or social media of Spurred to Victory Ministries. Spurred to Victory's primary evangelistic work uses horses to share the Gospel. photo credit: facebook/brittany eisenman #hometownheroes #familylifenews    

Helping with Hay for Hurricane Helene's victims Farmers Helping Farmers  It's the "Hometown Heroes" podcast from Family Life News   The devastation of Hurricane Helene in mid-2024 will be felt for years in the Carolinas, Tennessee and other states. But, a group of farmers in northwestern Pennsylvania provided a helpful response that many of us might not have even realized was needed. In this week's Hometown Heroes podcast, Mark Webster introduces you to Brittany Eisenman, who organized shipments of hay to western North Carolina farmers after those massive floods. As you will hear, it wasn't farmers "bailing" out farmers with bales of hay for their livestock, there's a strong story of a God Moment which was a major aspect to this project. You also can hear Part Two of our "Hometown Heroes" interview about the practical and spiritual messages shared with each truckload of hay. Check it out on our 3/04/2025 feature podcast. EYT Media is another source to find out about this haylift. Other episodes of our original podcasts introduce you to other "Hometown Heroes", individuals and groups who take intentional steps to tangibly enhance the lives of their neighbors, communities and regions. Find our archives at FamilyLife.org/newspodcasts and other popular podcast platforms. You can share, listen or download, or tap "subscribe" to receive an update each time a new edition goes online. "Hometown Heroes" also airs most Tuesdays during the Family Life Noon Report and our 5 O'Clock Report, with highlights also included in our other newscasts. Hear these on one of our nearly-70 radio stations across Pennsylvania and New York, or listen in from anywhere with our live stream, app, or web player:   ways to listen to Family Life other Family Life News features more about Family Life News photo credit: facebook/brittany eisenman #hometownheroes #familylifenews

Kingdom Builders of Central New York The Hometown Heroes podcast from Family Life News Today’s guest on “Hometown Heroes” is Bill Sears with Kingdom Builders of Central New York – a ministry that provides free home repairs for those who can’t afford them … and shares the Christian Gospel along the way. Their mission statement is "Serving God by Serving People". Sears tells the story of how Kingdom Builders' executive director Andy Deforest has done faith-based mission work in New Zealand, Cambodia, Honduras and Papua Guinea, and has found a way to carry out parallel kinds of mission in the Susquehanna Valley.   Professional electrical engineer Bill Sears has been on the KBCNY board since the ministry was founded. Discover more about this community-minded ministry at KingdomBuildersCNY.org. You can go to the Kingdom Builders CNY website to read or subscribe to their online newsletters.  

Hometown Heroes: Victory Sports Part 2 of our interview with Doug Rifenburg Victory Sports founder Doug Rifenburg takes us inside this ministry which distributes sports equipment to children and teens to give them positive activities as an alternative to other troublesome options. There is a Gospel emphasis too. Included in this segment of Mark Webster's interview, Rifenburg tells about a partnership which Victory Sports and its donors have with the police department in Buffalo, giving officers another community-policing tool to connect with young people in their neighborhoods. Part 1 of this "Hometown Heroes" feature aired on February 4. You can listen to that segment as well, download it or share it from this link at www.FamilyLife.org/newspodcasts:  Heroes 2/04/25 Victory Sports is headquartered in the Buffalo suburb of Clarence, New York. Their distribution center is open selected hours on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. The website is www.VictorySports.org. Doug Rifenburg and his family have a long history in the Buffalo sports world.  Find out more about him and his work here.

Hometown Heroes The Family Life News Tuesday Podcast Victory Sports in western New York spreads the Christian gospel by distributing sports gear to young people in need. Founder Doug Rifenburg takes us inside this ministry -- and out to the neighborhoods they influence -- with this "Hometown Heroes" interview with Family Life's Mark Webster. This Family Life "Hometown Heroes" interview continues in with Part 2 which first aired in the Noon Report on February 11.  You can listen, download that segment, or share it from the link at www.FamilyLife.org/newspodcasts:  Heroes 2/11/25 Victory Sports is headquartered in the Buffalo suburb of Clarence, New York. Their distribution center is open selected hours on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. The website is www.VictorySports.org. Doug Rifenburg's biography is here.

The Hope Center in Western New York Family Life's Hometown Heroes podcast The Hope Center of Leroy, New York, is a community focused organization which provides a variety of services to the people of Genesee County. Diane Sia is the director there, and she gives Family Life News Anchor Mark Webster an overview of their many community ministries, including: coordinating a Good News Club for children in partnership with multiple churches a Women's Crafting group plans for lifeskills activities for students during the summer Sia says the most beneficial byproduct of the Hope Center of Leroy is the personalized connections that happen with the young people, parents and others they see. Those people get an attentive listening ear, experiences of care and encouragement, and tangible evidence of Christian faith. You can also find out more about their tutoring, senior moments luncheons, GriefShare workshops and other programs at www.HopeCenterofLeroy.org. Catch up with all the individuals and organizations who are transforming their local communities with our Hometown Heroes podcast archives anytime. We encourage you to listen, share, subscribe or download all your favorite Family Life features from www.FamilyLife.org/newspodcasts or from many popular podcast platforms.

Hometown Heroes a Family Life Tuesday news feature and podcast Co-founder Ray Oberst tells us of the value he sees in Christian weekday education as a New York State Christian school continues to grow   Today's edition of "Hometown Heroes" features the co-founder of the Parker-Jordan Christian Academy in Allegany County, New York. Pastor Ray Oberst tells our Mark Wester about the vision and the launch for a Christian K-12 school there. While many look at faith-based education as an alternative with Scriptures and traditional family values as a primary goal --- and those do happen at PJCA too --- one of the biggest accomplishments that happens at a Christian school is marked improvements in academic performance. Oberst talks about how the academy has seen mushrooming growth since it opened with a handful of students in 2019. He says families are seeing the progress students make in their classes, extracurriculars, faith, and their emotional/personal/relational lives. For more information:  PJCA website  

Hometown Heroes A Family Life podcast Sandy Lenehan from Shamokin, Pennsylvania, has produced a series of YouTube videos called “Wee Steps with God”.  Her goal is to get the word of God into the hearts of young children. These videos are online at youtube.com/@WeeStepsMinistries/videos. Bob Price has this week's "Hometown Heroes" interview.

Life Matters The Hometown Heroes podcast from Family Life News The Life Matters Training Center in Canastota, New York, is a pro-life ministry which prepares fellow Christians to effectively carry on the pro-life cause. Hear their success stories from Joanna Myers, the center's director of program development and expansion.    For more about this ministry, their website is www.LifeMattersTrainingCenter.com For all the archived episodes of Mark Webster's Hometown Heroes interviews, visit www.FamilyLife.org/newspodcasts or your favorite podcast platform. All of our Family Life podcasts are available to hear, download or share with others. You also can subscribe to receive a notification a new episode is posted for your choice of our podcasts.

Wreaths Across America The "Hometown Heroes" podcast from Family Life News Perhaps you can feel like a Hometown Hero this weekend (Saturday, December 14). A nationwide project is seeking volunteers for "Wreaths Across America", where Christmas wreaths are placed on the graves of America's war dead. Veterans will be honored this way at 4.600 cemeteries in this nation, at sea and abroad. This includes dozens of site in Pennsylvania and New York -- from Butler to Batavia to Buffalo, from Fairview to Scranton to Oswego. A searchable map can help you find a location near you. click on the Volunteer tab at www.wreathsacrossamerica.org. The Family Life Interview features Dan Miller, a longtime participant in this massive wreath-laying ceremony at the Bath (NY) National Cemetery, gives us insights its history, purpose and significance.

Tyanne and Peter Jurka provide you the inside story of a Christ-based mission school, as the next generation of the Jurka family unexpectedly step up to serve nearly two dozen children -- even as they had an infant of their own. In Part Three of Mark Webster's "Hometown Heroes" interview with these international mission workers with roots in the Family Life listening area, Peter and Tyanne tell about how God's providence provided just the right reassurances, at just the right time. They have spent decades serving the Lord -- and serving the people in several regions of Central America.   A video highlighting the results of their life-enhancing work is available from StorehouseMission.org. PART ONE of this Hometown Heroes series is available from your podcast app. Tap here or search for 11/12/2024. PART TWO of Mark Webster's interview aired on the 11/19/2024 edition of Hometown Heroes.   #hometownheroes #familylifenews  

Hometown Heroes - Thanksgiving on the Streets   Pastor Alex and Eric Johns - Buffalo's Dream Center - a 25-year tradition

Peter and Tyanne Jurka are Mark Webster’s guests on this week’s “Hometown Heroes” feature. The Jurkas are longtime Christian mission workers, serving in Central America. They talk about signs of God's provision and blessing as these two natives of the Family Life listening area chose to serve in international ministry. A video highlighting the results of their life-enhancing work is available from StorehouseMission.org. The next generation of their family also is active in this ongoing mission work. PART ONE of Mark Webster's interview aired on the 11/12/2024 edition of Hometown Heroes. PART THREE aired 12/03/2024, and is also available on the Family Life News podcast feed.