WCQR Q1 2026 Experiences

SPRING 2026

HJ, ACCOMPANIED BY HIS GRANDMOTHER, DELIVERED DIAPERS FOR OUR BLESSINGS FOR BABIES PROJECT. SEE PAGE 7 FOR MORE.

30 Day Challenge Every January, we encourage everyone to take a step toward a better year and deeper faith by listening to 88.3 WCQR for 30 days. After 30 days, listeners can tell a difference in their attitude, mindset, and their walk with Jesus!

“In the spring of 2001, I found your radio station. I listened randomly along with a local country station. The longer I listened to WCQR, I began to realize that what went in my ears would be my manner of speaking and my thoughts. It has been close to 25 years that WCQR and other Christian music stations are what my radio is tuned to. I thank Jesus for the 30 Day Challenge. It changed my life.” ~Patricia

“I just heard you mention the 30 Day Challenge on air and I wanna tell you my experience. I used to listen to 98.5 and 101.5 all genres of music, including 88.3.

Lately Ive had 88.3 on all the time in the car. I’ve noticed when I listen to any other music my spirit feels heavy but when I hear 88.3, I feel light and lifted that’s the only way I can describe it. Does bad stuff still happen? Yes, that’s life and people need to know that just because you are saved or turn to Jesus doesn’t mean life and our free will won’t get in the way. But if we turn to Jesus and truly give our problems to Him, He WILL take care of it in His own time.

Sometimes it’s instant, sometimes so subtle we don’t even notice until later. We are our choices and God is right here all the time just waiting for us to ask for His help and guidance! He sits and watches that mountain we’ve created for ourselves inch closer and closer, waiting for us to ask for help. People pray everyday for healing, but if we aren’t willing to give up what made us sick they are just open-air prayers!

God knows our heart and He knows if we are sincere. Once I got sincere He started changing my life in ways I could have never imagined. THANK YOU JESUS!” ~Andrea

“Years ago, I didn’t know about the 30 Day Challenge but turned it on 88.3 to hear something “different.” I needed to listen to music that was uplifting and I remembered my mom always listened to you. I have been listening since. That was in March of 2017!” ~Kristina

“Since 2005, I have taken the 30 Day Challenge seriously. Why? Because the Bible is firm, solid as a rock. Staying Firm. But there is always something in the passages that make the 30 DAY CHALLENGE different from the previous year.” ~Anthony

“To be honest, taking the 30 Day Challenge not only changed my life, but my mindset. Being able to understand what is important and knowing it is good to always be positive about our life. God is always good and it shows. I still listen to 88.3 three years later.” ~Josh

“Hello guys, I took the 30 Day Challenge 2 years ago and I am still listening today. Thank you, God bless you all!”

Hi, I just wanted to share what the 30 Day Challenge has meant to me. My name is Tim and I have end stage kidney disease. I do dialysis 5 days per week, and I’m currently not eligible for a transplant due to me being overweight, but I am working on it, I’ve lost over 200 lbs, and I’m 70 more pounds away from getting on the list. Once I’m on the list I have several potential donors ready to be tested for me.

One of the things that I’m doing to lose weight is walking, I call it “Walking For A Kidney.” I have a group of up to 20 friends walking with me at times. And here is where the 30 Day Challenge comes in, I challenged myself to listen only to Christian praise music for 30 days, especially when I’m walking. I walk at parks, and currently at our local mall since it’s so cold. So as I’m walking, I’m listening to praise music.

AND… I have it playing on my phone speaker so people around me are hearing it as well. I know God will use that to plant a seed in someone who is just walking by me and hears “Our God Is An Awesome God” or they hear “How Great is Our God!” I also took the 30 Day Challenge to put a devotion on my Facebook page everyday.

This has helped me greatly, it’s holding me responsible to read and study the Bible more than I ever have.

I will definitely be playing my praise music loud and blessed from now on, and I will continue to do the devotionals as long as I possibly can. I will give God the glory because I know in my heart God is going to provide me with a new kidney one day.

Start the Year with a Gift Amanda from the Afternoon Show donated blood in January at Marsh Regional Blood Center. Being O-Negarive, Amanda tries to donate regularly.

This Community is Like Family This prayer request was posted to the WCQR Prayer Wall, and Rhonda’s response shows how local we really are.

“River of Life in Piney Flats recently lost their head pastor Donnie Humphrey. Donnie planted this church 34 years ago and has preach the gospel ever since. Without our pastor our deacons are making decisions and praying for the future of River of Life. Please join us in praying for the river life church family as we pray for a man of God to step in, Pastor Donnie‘s family, and the future of our church. WCQR has been a major encouragement to many members during this hard time. Thank you!”

From Rhonda: “That was our friend who passed away. He and Steve McAuley married me and Bucky.”

“We got a new Subaru today and my first radio station I put on was 104.3 and 88.3 WCQR” ~KJ

UPLIFTING • ENCOURAGING • HOPEFUL • WORSHIPFUL • GROWTH

Homeschool Field Trips!

We were blessed to visit with and give station tours to the Community Home School Co-Op in Jonesborough. There were 33 visitors, including parents!

A Special Encouragement from California We received this sweet message through our app.

After following up with him,we learned more: “My Name Is Frankie from San Mateo California! And If I could as you pray for anything for me it would be...that God’s will is done in and over California that all the chains of the enemy, every principality, power, and every wickedness in every high place are confused and destroyed! There is such a feeling of confusion over the minds of so many here! And that all find their identity in Christ Jesus! I know that is pretty long, thank you all for all you do, and I truly thank God for the blessing you all have been to me!”

SPRING 2026

“Yesterday, I came home and found the card your team sent me after my surgery. It had been on my door, and I’m guessing one of my neighbors held onto it in their box. I noticed it was postmarked September 8th, and I can only imagine that you might have thought I was the most ungrateful person in the world for not acknowledging it sooner.

I want to sincerely say thank you for your thoughtfulness, your kindness, and for the generous gift cards. Your care truly touched my heart, and I am so, so grateful.

Please extend my gratitude to your entire team.

I deeply appreciate everything you did to lift my spirits and show support during that time. I’m so sorry it’s taken me this long to say it, but I want you to know how much it meant to me.” ~ Jessica

Social Media Making an Impact Amanda noticed that a friend had reposted an encouraging social media post that originated on 88.3 WCQR’s Facebook page during a difficult time.

UPLIFTING • ENCOURAGING • HOPEFUL • WORSHIPFUL • GROWTH

“My name is Brittany. I live in Bluff City. I’m a monthly donor to WCQR. My WOW God story is probably not what would be considered average. My husband for many years now has struggled with alcohol addiction. My sister and I for over a year have prayed (for God to take this addiction from him) almost every Sunday at our church at the altar. We have prayed together in private for the same! At times, it felt like the addiction would always consume him. BUT a couple months ago he went for his yearly physical at his doctor.

He got some not very good blood result numbers back that showed having some liver damage. Due to excessive alcohol.

He was told his liver could heal itself and it would get better, but he had to quit drinking altogether to see the improvement!

Since that day, he LAID down the alcohol completely! My sister and I and our pastor prayed over him in church and in private!

Since that day he’s been completely sober!

And also lost almost 20 pounds!

“I finished the [music] survey today and submitted it! Some wonderful songs from years gone by, plus wonderful songs from now!” ~Terry

Messages of Gratefulness Amanda received this message through Facebook from Jason, who works for TDOT. He and his wife, Bethany are listeners and donors. This is in response to our social media post asking for prayes for our linemen, road crews and first responders during the winter storms.

So I say this to anyone that struggles with addiction or has a loved one that does. BUT GOD! DONT STOP PRAYING! Don’t give up!

GOD WILL MOVE! Amen.”

SPRING 2026

Jodi, with the first donation!

We want to thank the Marquee Cinemas at the Pinnacle in Bristol and Bojangles in Elizabethton for hosting us for an onsite diaper drive!

I felt inspired by your blessings for babies. I work at a daycare and I made a sign to take up donations for Blessing for Babies. I have had 4 miscarriages before having my baby in October of 2025. I have a big soft spot for helping out families with whatever they need.

My mom passed away almost a year ago and this is something she would of loved to do. So I’m doing it in for her. So I pray that we can bless a lot of babies! ~ Jennifer

Blessing Babies and Families in our Community For our First Quarter Ministry Project, we wanted to bless the families in our area with young children who might be struggling. Blessings For Babies allowed us to collect diapers and wipes and deliver them to local agencies that can distribute them appropriately. Thanks to our wonderful community, we collected and distributed a grand total of 42,314 wipes and 23,447 diapers! Our wonerful Ministry Partner, Appalachian Community Federal Credit Union, supported this project by collecting diapers at each of their branches.

23,447 DIAPERS 42,314 WIPES

Diapers delivered to: Agape Women’s Services Hope House Pathways Women’s Center TLC Community Center Hope Chest Bundles of Joy Diaper Ministry at Addilynn UMC

There is not a song that you play that does not have a good message. Some better than others but I wouldn’t listen to another radio station. The words of encouragement that you all give, the phone calls I get for prayer requests, & the music that helps us get from day to day. WCQR is the one for me. People, you need to give them a try. I promise you, it will change your life and you will not go back. I love you all at WCQR. ~Karen

Doing Life Together WCQR loves using the phrase “We love doing life with you,” and that’s our amazing WCQR listening family. Amanda from the Afternoon Show, shared in December that she went for her annual mammogram and encouraged men and women to get all their annual wellness check-ups. Amanda shared this month that she had to do a follow-up ultrasound from her abnormal mammogram and the scan showed a fibroadenoma which is a common, benign (non-cancerous) solid tumor with less than one percent becoming cancerous. Amanda opened up that even though it was an expected find, she’s grateful she did both scans and caught it early. Amanda wants to thank everyone who has reached out to her personally to say they are praying for her and shared their own stories.

Tim shared, “I just listened to Amanda’s story about her mammogram. First of all, I just wanted to let her know that I am praying for her. Second, I had a similar story, I have end stage kidney disease and I had to go on dialysis. The very first dialysis treatment I was in the hospital, my kidneys had failed, and I also had pneumonia. As I lay there in the bed with needles hooked to my arm, I was overcome by fear.

I have been a Christian a long time, but just like she said, when you’re in situations that are overwhelming, fear will be present for sure. I was thinking to myself, “What am I going to do? I’ll have to go on disability, I won’t be able to afford my mortgage, I’ll be sick all the time and my wife will have to take care of me, which is not fair for her.” I was totally devastated. But then all of a sudden, a warm peace filled the room. I know God’s voice spoke to me as plain as if he was standing right beside me, and he said “Have I ever left you?” And I answered “No, Lord, you haven’t.” and then he said, “And I am not going to leave you now.” I’ve been doing dialysis 14 months now, and He has never left me. There have been times that my blood pressure bottoms out, I’ve passed out a few times over the past year while doing dialysis. But I can tell you right now I’m healthier now than I was before I started dialysis. God has been with me through every treatment, and He will be with me for every other treatment to come, and He promised me one day, I’m going to get a new kidney. And I have faith that it’s going to happen.”

UPLIFTING • ENCOURAGING • HOPEFUL • WORSHIPFUL • GROWTH

Personalized Digital Valentine’s Day Cards!

Leading up to Valentine’s Day, we posted a digital card on Facebook and Instagram, inviting anyone to comment for their own personal Valentine. Each commenter received a digital card that had their name written along with a sweet message.

This is a response we received via private message.

SEE POST

Precious Hand-drawn Cards Miah, a listener, sends drawings and cards for us to enjoy. We love them!

SPRING 2026

WCQR welcomed listeners and friends to Higher Ground Baptist Church for the annual Night of Love & Laughter with Jaron Myers!

Thank you for showing care through your staff & broadcasts! Cherie & I continue making these donations in memory of our Daughter, Heather Chapman Smith and in honor of her two young children. ~ Ray

God Shows Up in Hospital Visits Trisha and her son, Curtis, are friends and donors. Curtis required a several-day hospitalization due to illness, and Trisha kept posting updates on social media. It became clear that she needed some encouragement, so Casey visited them in the hospital with an 88.3 WCQR goodie bag and a prayer. It was a special way to lift their spirits!

We Love Our Community (Theatre!)

One of our dedicated volunteers and donors, Kyle, directed a musical at Kingsport Theatre Guild. Casey was also involved as the choreographer. Christian, Tori, Aziana and Michael all went to watch a show, and Michael even ended up on stage!

UPLIFTING • ENCOURAGING • HOPEFUL • WORSHIPFUL • GROWTH

A Listener Encourages Herself!

Rhonda recently spoke to a listener named Angela. She shared that she has been having a difficult time and that she felt like many of her Christian friends had turned on her or abandoned her. She was driving home from church on Sunday and heard the imaging on how the 30 Day Challenge will change your life - the kicker is that it was HER voice and HER testimony. She felt that it was God speaking to her and reminding her that it was going to be OK. She heard it again on Monday and felt led to call today to share that. She said, “WCQR has been with me through many things and I want others to know that He’s going to use the station to be there for you whenever you need it.”

I listen to WCQR anytime I’m in my car, which is a lot! I just heard a song, (for the first time today), “Make it well with my soul”, & know that song was written, & on the radio at this time today, JUST FOR ME! God is so good, & speaks clearly when we need it. Thank you for this ministry! ~ Sherry

Heyyyy I just wanted to say I have been listening to y’all nonstop for about two months now and it has really impacted my life so beautifully!!! I have to quit nicotine.

I have quit smoking the silly smoke... There are so many people who are noticing my Jesus glow, I noticed my Jesus glow!!! I’m just so happy and so proud that y’all are on the air and that we have the right to listen to y’all where a lot of countries you can’t even have a Bible… Anyway, I just want to say I love you all. GOD BLESSSS! ~Keeyana

Voicemail of Thankfulness

We received a voicemail from John, the principal at Anderson Elementary School in Bristol, thanking us because we gave him a shout-out during our School Prayer Zone!

“Good morning, Rhonda and Adam—this is John Sprouse from Anderson. I’m so thankful for you and for 88.3. The station is always on—bringing light into my truck, my office, and wherever I go. Thank you for covering our school in prayer. It’s a blessing to be surrounded by like-minded people who live out Proverbs 27:17—encouraging and sharpening one another daily. We’re grateful to be part of Kingdom work and deeply appreciate all that you do. Thank you for your continued prayers for our school.”

SPRING 2026

Reading with Rhonda!

Rhonda read a book with the Second Grade class at Miller Perry Elementary, to celebrate Read Across America Week!

Sharing the 30 Day Challenge with Strangers From donors and friends, Robin and Monty: “Hey!! Hope you and the WCQR family are doing well! We didn’t make it to Night of Love and Laughter. Sinus infection... ugh! Anyway, Monty and I usually write something on our receipts when we go out to eat. Recently we decided to start spreading the word about the 30 day music challenge! Say hello to everyone!”

Our Listeners Get Involved!

A listener and friend, Melanie, went with Elevation Roanoke volunteers & some from Elevation Matthews to pack 1008 Blessing Buckets at God’s Pit Crew, one of our Ministry Partners.

WCQR Van For the Win! Amanda met Audrey who is a student at Johnson County. She saw Amanda get out of the WCQR van and wanted to say hi.

UPLIFTING • ENCOURAGING • HOPEFUL • WORSHIPFUL • GROWTH

It’s Rhett!

We ended March with a Spring Fundraiser kick-off concert with Rhett Walker!

SPRING 2026

New Songs Added Recently

Homesick for Heaven

by Phil Wickham

“Thank you so much! Thanks for getting me through the good days and bad days with so much joy! We only listen to

WCQR in our vehicles and home! My Grandson has grown up listening to the positive messages and music from you all. We love WCQR!”

App Downloads in...

143 102 198 January

February March

WASHED

by Elevation Rhythym

Thank The Lord

by Patrick Mayberry

Where Would I Be

by Peter Burton

So Much

by Life.Church Worship

Good

by Matthew West

I’d Do It Again

by Andrew Ripp

Hallelujah in the Hard Things

by Bryan & Katie Torwalt

Alleluia

by Elevation Worship

I’ve Got A Fire

by Pat Barrett

Why Should I Worry

by Carly Ann Taylor

Finished

by Caleb & John

UPLIFTING • ENCOURAGING • HOPEFUL • WORSHIPFUL • GROWTH

Spring-themed wallpapers just for you!

Surprise & Delights on Social Media!

We posted about Reading Across America week, asking what our followers’ favorite books were. We then randomly selected a handful to receive a book based on the movie “I Can Only Imagine 2.” Here’s what a couple recipients said:

GET WALLPAPERS We made some Spring digital wallpapers for our WCQR family. They are available for phone or desktop, and can be found by clicking the link above.

Here’s what our friends have to say about them!

SPRING 2026

“I smile and sing everyday on the way to work!

Praise God for this station.”

- Sandy

88.3wcqr

88.3fm WCQR