Mid-South Viewpoint // Bott Radio Network

Recently I heard a song by hymnologist, Keith & Kristyn Gettys. Keith has been on Mid-South View Point previously discussing their love for the hymns and how the lyrics written centuries ago provide a path to worshipping God that should be engaged today. Be Thou My Vision, When I survey the Wondrous Cross and Come, Thou Almighty King are the three songs that we’ll discover their deep meaning and history featuring voice over artist, Larry Nobles and music arrangements by the Getty’s. OAD-011122

Emmitt McKenzie and fiancé Belen Bermudez. We’ll discuss their journey in discovering the power of the Gospel, a romance moving towards marriage, and the release of Emmitt’s new book "LIFE: It's Not Supposed to Be Like This" launching on Amazon. A Native American, Emmitt was born from teenage parents in poverty and a life surrounded by violence, alcoholism, and abuse. He sought acceptance in gang life and drugs that eventually led to suicide attempts and prison. The life of his grandma pointed Emmitt to the love of God, but he wasn’t ready until a breaking point revolutionized Emmitt’s life.

Dr. Scott Morris CEO & Founder of Church Health discusses the release of his latest book, Care: How People of Faith Can Respond to Our Broken Health System. Since 1987, Dr. Morris and supporting medical staff and volunteers has made Church Health the largest faith-based, privately funded health clinic in the country. Church Health has served the uninsured and underinsured, growing steadily toward an annual budget of $20 million. In the most recent fiscal year, Church Health had over 61,300 patient encounters.

Christy-Award winner Angela Hunt talks about her journey to becoming an author after changing a college major from music due to a frigid experience stranded by a blizzard. With over five million copies of her books sold worldwide, Angela is the best-selling author of more than 150 works from non-fiction books to novels. Angela is the special guest speaker for the Mid-America Passion Play Auction Gala to help support the 2023 Mid-America Passion Play. Her books are very diverse and include such books as Uncharted, A Time to Mend, The Novelist, The Truth Teller, The Awakening and The Debt.

Did you know? On average, 85 minors are trafficked in Tennessee every month. Restore Corps is working incredibly hard to impact human trafficking in our community and across the state. Rachel Haaga and Rashidah Gardner of Restore Corps discuss their efforts to impact human trafficking by empowering survivors, equipping communities, and seeking justice through systemic change. Restore Corps has combined decades of serving a combination of survivors of human trafficking, children in child welfare and foster care, probation and parole, veteran services and more.

Pastor Jeff Patrick of Memphis Union Mission explains this idea to ride his bicycle 60 miles to commemorate several milestones in his life. On Saturday October 15, 2022, Jeff will be celebrating is role as pastor at the Memphis Union Mission for 20 years, trusting Christ 40 years ago, and losing nearly 60 lbs. in the past 6 months. Jeff plans to ride his bike 60 miles and is asking listeners to donate $1.00 per for each mile that he rides donated to the Memphis Union Mission. Money raised will all benefit the work to help complete their new worship center and adding more (much needed) dorms. www.memphisunionmission.org / hit the Donate tab, then type in (or choose) the amount you wish to give and then select “GO JEFF 60” under the Project Designation.

Pastor Reginald Taylor of The Rock Church provides exciting news about the celebration of 12 years of Mission & Ministry of the Grand Opening & Dedication of their new sanctuary, biggest surprise since the church start, and keeping the church on mission.

Scott Benjamin lead pastor at theRefuge Church in Lakeland, TN shares the sudden death of Geri, college sweetheart and wife of almost 25 years, his battle with kidney disease and search for a donor, and finding Carol, a beautiful God send that started a new love and life with a blended family.

5th Friday Sponsor Spotlight welcomes Brock Patterson from ATC Fitness and Donna Roach and Judy Hall from Hearthside Senior Living to learn more about the way they serve our community. 5th Friday Sponsor Spotlight airs during a month where the extra Friday is added to feature the advertisers on Bott Radio Network Memphis affiliate.

Well-known marriage counselor and director of marriage seminars, Dr. Gary Chapman talks about having a healthy marriage. His book, the 5 Love Languages® has sold over twenty million copies and has been on the New York Times best-sellers list continuously since 2007. Dr. Chapman is coming Germantown Baptist Church November 5th for his 5 Love Languages marriage conference.

The Nappers, Kenneth and Janet discuss their ministry partnership in Overcoming Abuse God’s Way, Kenneth’s health obstacles, and a trip planned to share the Gospel and encourage the church in South Africa.

Life has a way of bringing unexpected "storms." In his new book, “Standing Strong in the Storm” Pastor Greg Davis talks about storms that his family has encountered in life. After eight years of struggling with infertility, a son was born who would need a series of open-heart surgeries, wife Nancy almost died of an auto-immune disease, adopted daughter from China diagnosed with brain cancer, and Greg faces a near-fatal heart attack and diagnosed with two brain aneurysms. Greg shares how God's plan is not for us to grow through storms we experience for the purpose of encouraging other facing similar storms.

How do you navigate life when tough times overwhelm your life? Melvin Watkins, Senior Pastor of Mt. Vernon Baptist Church- Westwood discusses how we can’t escape tough times in life but should walk through these times to draw closer to Christ finding His grace, peace, and faithfulness.

The worst financial crisis since 1948 continues impact Sri Lanka. Shyara Miles of Isaiah 613 International Ministry shares concerns of food, medicine, and gas shortages creating an extreme emergency for the entire island, including Footprints Children’s Home for Boys & Girls. A night of worship, prayer and raising funds for this desperate need for Sri Lanka is planned with three area churches, Eagle Heights, Dwelling Place International, and Brit Hadasha Messianic Jewish Congregation on Sunday September 18th at 6:00 pm. In addition to Shyara Miles testimony, Pastor Jake Claunch of Eagle Heights shares his thoughts for being involved as well.

What are you waiting for? It’s time to take a break to a relaxing getaway nestled in the Ozark Mountains where fall colors will be popping! Host Byron Tyler and co-host Lynn Berry from ExploreBranson.com take you on a vacation travel tour as they welcome Jody Madaras from the All Hands On Deck Show, Taylor Chamberlain with the Aquarium at the Boardwalk, and three-time Emmy Award-winning classical crossover, trio vocal group Marcus Collins, JC Fisher, and John Hagen, know as, “The Texas Tenors”. These are only a few attractions and entertainment waiting for you in Branson, MO.

An active shooter terrorized the city of Memphis while posting live to Facebook his violent and devious behavior that concluded with his arrest and four people dead on the streets at random locations. This vile action was in the aftermath of another heinous crime where a 34-year-old wife, mom of two, and kindergarten teacher was kidnapped and murdered. Where is peace for our city with so much pain, fear, and vulnerability? Pastor Tony Wade of Divine Life Church looks at these events in the city of Memphis through the Gospel lens and offers perspective that leads to certain peace amidst such tragedies.

Kim Kargbo was raised in Sierra Leone by missionary parents and has served as a missionary in various capacities during her adult life, Kim worked as a nurse caring for amputees following the decade-long civil war in Sierra Leone. Kim discovered that the one billion people around the world living with disabilities make up the largest unreached people group for the Gospel. Since 2009 she founded and has directed Accessible Hope International, a ministry that facilitates Gospel-centered transformation for people with disabilities around the world by equipping the global Body of Christ to open wholistic doors of access.

Ron Wade, Executive Director of HopeWorks’ shares their mission is to guide Memphians in need of a second chance through essential education, counseling and career development programming to establish a relationship with God while building stability, confidence and a hope-filled future. HopeWorks provides adult education for people earning their high school equivalency diploma. A Personal and Career Development program for inmates that offers a fresh start once they’re out of prison. They also provide ESL and cultural assimilation support for immigrants and refugees.

Shelley Sumner is a wife, a mom of three active children, Director of Donor Relations & Special Events for Life Choices of Memphis, and is the manager for Batter’s Box Baseball, a business that she and husband Corey started. The oldest of four, growing up as an Air Force family, and living in different places abroad and stateside, Shelley explains she’s got her faults and hardships like we all do, but it’s her relationship with Christ that carries her through life.

Kathy Byrd of Crosslink Memphis, Inc. talks about their efforts equipping and empowering mission teams around the world to share the Gospel while suppling medicine and supplies to countries like Pakistan, China, Cambodia, Philippines, Indonesia, Argentina, EL Salvador, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Republic of Congo, Liberia, South Sudan, Kenya, Zambia, and across the United States.

The “LEMME KILL YOUR WEEDS” guy, Kenny Crenshaw owner of Herbi-Systems lawn care talks about his involvement in the Renewal and Remembrance event with the National Association of Landscape Professionals at Arlington National Cemetery and The Lincoln Memorial on the National Mall. The event has been taking place in July each year for the past 26 years. This is Kenny’s 18th year to participate where he gave the Dedication of Work speech during opening ceremonies this year.

Remembering Pat, a tribute to the life of Pat McClerkin with guests Jonathan Jones, founder & President of Perfect Hope Ministries- Christian Discipleship Ministry, Dr. Ashley Ray, Senior Pastor at Ridgeway Baptist Church, U.S. Congressman David Kustoff, Karen McNeil, Board Member of LWF, Nate Kellum, Founder and Chief Counsel for CRE Law, and David Fowler, President of The Family Action Council of TN. Pat McClerkin was host of Friday Viewpoint heard on Bott Radio Network in Memphis where and hosted discussions on current events, issues, and interviews with local, state and national political leaders. Pat passed away in the early morning of Monday, August 1, 2022.

Donna Gaines, Dr. Cynthia Mitchell, and Ellen Olford provide details on the “She Loves Out Loud Global”, a gathering of women across six continents around the world to pray heart to heart and answer a call to serve Christ in their communities. The event is planned for November 5, 2022 at Bellevue Baptist Church in Memphis, TN. Donna Gaines is the wife of Dr. Steve Gaines, pastor of Bellevue Baptist Church and the author of four books, There’s Gotta Be More, Seated: Living from Our Position in Christ, Leaving Ordinary, Encounter God through Extraordinary Prayer and her fourth book, Choose Wisely, Live Fully. Dr. Cynthia Mitchell is an established presence in education that includes serving as adjunct professor at both Christian Brothers University and the University of Memphis. She currently serves in ministry at Christ Missionary Baptist Church and works with several local and national Faith Based initiatives. Ellen Olford is the wife of Dr. David Olford who serves as the Chairman of the Board and President of Olford Ministries International, Inc. She is Director of Women's and City Ministries at Central Church in Collierville, TN.

Heather McCaskill Executive Director of One-by-One Ministries shares how they seek to help women grow closer to the Lord through connecting expectant and new moms with caring mentors, that walks with them through the first three years of their newborn’s life.

Jan Hamilton, Program Director for Delta Fair & Music Festival provides details how you can enter competition for crafts, culinary and collectibles, Senior American Day festivities, livestock shows, attractions, entertainment, and theme days at the fair September 2-11.

Quinton Lytle, Director of Church, and Ministry Relations with Downline Ministries. Downline’s mission is to encourage a restoration of Biblical discipleship in and through the local church by equipping men and women to know God’s Word and make disciples. Downline has trained thousands of Christ-followers around the globe in biblical discipleship and provides the opportunity for discipleship training through their various live Institutes and Virtual platform.

Born and raised in South Sudan, Dr. Michael Yemba was sentenced to death for sharing the gospel in a Middle Eastern country. He was tortured and persecuted for hosting a house church and leading Muslims to faith in Jesus Christ. Through the ministry of Jesus is Lord Ministries, Dr. Yemba along with his wife Rose are engaged in global evangelism, church planting, pastors training, as well as peace and reconciliation efforts in war torn African countries, especially the Republic of South Sudan. Dr. Yemba wil be the quest speaker for the 2022 Overcoming Abuse Gods Way Banquet, Broken for Such a Time as This at Bellevue Baptist Church in Cordova, TN Friday August 26th.

Lifeway conducted an unscientific Twitter poll asking, “Why do you think many churches aren’t as evangelistic as they once were?” Some of the replies were, “Christians have no sense of urgency to reach lost people”, “Many Christians and church members do not befriend and spend time with lost persons”, and “Many Christians and church members are lazy and apathetic”. Mike Young, pastor of Zion Baptist Church in Brownsville, TN and Evangelism Explosion International, Tennessee Representative discusses the importance and Biblical mandate to authentically Share the Christian faith, including details of an upcoming E.E. Share Your Faith Clinic.

Our 5th Friday Sponsor Spotlight with Allen Wright, owner of Pyramid Properties and Dr. Michael Spradlin, president of Mid-America Baptist Theological Seminary

Clay and Jackie Meadows refer to themselves as the “Country Boy and Peruvian Girl”. Together with their two children, a son, and a daughter, they’re doing life together, like families do. They’re a couple uniting personalities, backgrounds, and different cultures to proclaim the Good News of Jesus Christ. Together, Clay and Jackie are on a wonderful adventure of abiding in God’s word, His Love, His Hope, and a whole lot more.

Dr. Michael Spradlin President of Mid-America Seminary talks about the fifty-year history of the institution’s commitment to the local church by preparing students for Bible Preaching, Missions, Evangelism based on the teaching of God’s holy inerrant, Word. Dr. Spradlin also discusses new encroachments of neo-orthodoxy impacting the church today, transitioning as president after founder/president Dr. Gray Allison stepped down, caring for high rate of burnout among pastors, and God’s intention through the gospel.

Pastor Lynn Holmes rides into town to talk about the newest Cowboy Church congregation, Houston Levee Cowboy Church, an outreach of Calvary Church. Cowboy Church began in America in 1972. In 1972 Glenn Smith, a professional rodeo clown, sold everything and entered full time ministry along with his wife following God’s call to bring the gospel to the rodeo and bull riding circuits. In 1990, Harry Yates and Joanne Cash (Johnny Cash's daughter) started a Nashville Cowboy Church in the seat of country music. It is believed that today there are some 5,000 cowboy churches nation wide.

Research reveals children living in poverty who read proficiently by the end of the third grade have an 89% graduation rate. Karen Vogelsang, Executive Director of Arise2Read, impacting children in our public schools through the presence of volunteers focused on literacy. Volunteers Needed! Get details on Arise2Read Kick-Off AUG 31, 2022.

We’re on the road from Happy Glaze Donut Shop in Germantown, TN with 901 Roasted Coffee discussing a partnership that’s helping to plant churches in Xalapa, Mexico. Rachel Davis, co-owner of Happy Glaze Donuts and Andrew Banker, co-owner of 901 Roasted provide details of this exciting Gospel centered venture.

Nik and Erendira Wallenda join Bott Radio Network’s Monna Stafford in Branson to discuss their family legacy. For 7 generations, The Wallenda family has shocked millions around the world with their death-defying stunts on the wire up in the sky. Nik Wallenda has broken 13 Guinness World Records, walked the Chicago skyline and New York’s Times Square, over an active volcano in Nicaragua, and across the Grand Canyon. Did I mention Niagara Falls?

When you GOOGLE HYMN WRITERS, names like Fanny Crosby, Isaac Watts, Charles Wesley, William Cowper, John Newton will appear among some of the earliest writers. These hymn writers lived from the 1600’s to the early 1900’s, but there’s two other names that appear in this same list considered to be modern hymn writers, Keith & Kristyn Getty. Keith and wife Kristyn live between Northern Ireland and Nashville with their daughters, Eliza Joy, Charlotte, and Grace. Keith Getty joins us from our Nashville studio.

Where is your breaking point? Jeff Trotter lead artist and founder of BendDxntBreak challenges you to bend your knees to pray, don’t breakdown, and lose hope. Although Jeff’s creation of BendDxntBreak includes a fashionable clothing line, it’s more than another brand. It’s a relentless state of mind focused on taking your cares and concerns to God. In life’s struggles, pressure isn’t meant to break you, it’s merely a tool to make you stronger. Amy Speropoulos guest-host this episode of Mid-South View Point for Byron Tyler.

Dr. Candace Jones and Pastor Tommy Wilson from Expanded Educational Services. We’ll discuss among many educational opportunities the Success Academy. Success Academy's program revolves around the tenets of repetition, memorization, project-based learning, experiential learning, character education, teamwork, developing and exhibiting effective verbal and written communication skills. Students will author and publish at least one book per academic year. All students are required to start and run their own business as part of their schooling program.

Steve Coplon, CEO of Life Choices of Memphis talks about a variety of topics including the historic overturning of Roe vs Wade in America, how the pregnancy center movement has positively impacted women, babies, men, families, healthcare, communities, and the spiritual health of the nation. Steve also shares about his passion for sharing the gospel, including at an upcoming evangelistic excursion to the greater Philadelphia area and across the river in New Jersey.

Steven Liles, Director of Business Ministries at Highpoint Church talks about his faith journey, his family, call into the ministry, and about the perfect cup of coffee in town. In addition to Steven’s responsibilities at Highpoint is overseeing, The Hub, a specialty coffee shop aspiring to be the living room of Memphis that’s located inside Highpoint Church. It’s open daily except for Sundays and gives away its profits, above operating costs, to local ministries. These ministries include Asha’s Refuge, Memphis Union Mission, Memphis Athletic Ministries, Overton High School, and Su Casa Family Ministries.

Shyara Miles of Isaiah 613 International Ministry shares concerns on the worst financial crisis impacting Sri Lanka, since 1948. Food, medicine, and gas shortages has created an extreme emergency for the entire island, including Footprints Children’s Home for Boys & Girls. A night of worship, prayer and a fundraiser for Sri Lanka is planned with three area churches, Eagle Heights, Dwelling Place International, and Brit Hadasha Messianic Jewish Congregation.

Pastor Shun Abram of the Binghampton Community Church is back to continue conversation about Send Relief, an initiative with four focus areas of ministry, Strengthen Communities, Care for Refugees, Protect Children & Families, Fight Human Trafficking, and Respond to Crisis. Send Relief is part of a collaboration between the International Mission Board and the North American Mission Board of the Southern Baptist Convention. This is part two of a two-part interview with Shun Abram.

Pastor Shun Abram of the Binghampton Community Church shares his new his role as center director for Send Relief, an initiative with four focus areas of ministry, Strengthen Communities, Care for Refugees, Protect Children & Families, Fight Human Trafficking, and Respond to Crisis. Send Relief is part of a collaboration between the International Mission Board and the North American Mission Board of the Southern Baptist Convention. This is part one of a two part interview with Shun Abram.

Pastor Ricky Floyd of Pursuit of God Church in Memphis, TN Frayser community dissects his recent Facebook post’s including the downward trend of disrespect, what make’s Pastor Ricky happy, focused people, making prayer a priority, positioning people to become homeowners, Juneteenth, building a better community, and overcoming hurts.

Hal Kitchings, Senior Pastor at Fifth Avenue Baptist Church, St Petersburg, Florida discusses his latest book, NEXT VERSE- A daily guide to live by faith, even when life throws you a curve. This is a devotional book that takes the reader through the entire Bible in one year. Each day there is a passage from the Old Testament and one from the New, along with a Psalm and one or two Proverbs.

Here’s our final show in the series, Summer Vacation to Branson with Lynn Berry, Director of Communications at Branson/Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce and Convention & Visitors Bureau co-host with Byron Tyler in this four of four-part series to help plan vacations in Branson this summer. Guests on this episode include Craig Wescott of Track Family Fun Parks, Jody Madaras of All Hands On Deck, and The Texas Tenors, Marcus Collins, JC Fisher, and John Hagen.

We’re back in Branson for DAY THREE of our Summer Vacation to Branson Series with Lynn Berry, Director of Communications at Branson/Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce and Convention & Visitors Bureau co-host with Byron Tyler in this three of four-part series to help plan vacations in Branson this summer. Guests on this episode include Mike Patrick of Grand Country Resort, Taylor Chamberlain of Aquarium at the Boardwalk, and Judith Dutton of The Duttons.

Our Summer Vacation to Branson Series continues DAY TWO with Lynn Berry, Director of Communications at Branson/Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce and Convention & Visitors Bureau co-host with Byron Tyler in this second of four-part series to help plan vacations in Branson this summer. Guests on this episode include Gerald Jenkins of Pink Jeep Tours, Jae McFerron of Great American Chuckwagon Dinner Show, and Glenda Gates Kerr of King's Castle Theatre.

Lynn Berry, Director of Communications at Branson/Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce and Convention & Visitors Bureau co-host with Byron Tyler in this first of four-part series to help plan vacations to Branson this summer. Guests on this episode include, Lisa Rau from Silver Dollar City Attractions, Jason Hughes from The Hughes Brothers Theater, and Shoji and Christina Tabuchi. In 2020, Shoji was inducted into the National Fiddler Hall of Fame.

Where is your breaking point? Jeff Trotter lead artist and founder of BendDxntBreak challenges you to bend your knees to pray, don’t breakdown, and lose hope. Although Jeff’s creation of BendDxntBreak includes a fashionable clothing line, it’s more than another brand. It’s a relentless state of mind focused on taking your cares and concerns to God. In life’s struggles, pressure isn’t meant to break you, it’s merely a tool to make you stronger. Amy Speropoulos guest-host this episode of Mid-South View Point for Byron Tyler.