Hometown Heroes

Youth sports as a vehicle for the Gospel message.

That's the mission of On Mission Sports, bringing a Christian alternative to youth sports in Pennsylvania's Lehigh Valley

On this edition of Hometown Heroes, we learn more from Quay Brashear, their executive director.

On this edition of "Hometown Heroes," we speak with Heather Manges from "The Nehemiah Project" - a multi-faceted Altoona, Pennsylvania ministry dedicated to fostering faith through community development in underprivileged and blighted neighborhoods.

Helping church leaders help members who've been victimized by sexual abuse or domestic violence.

That's the focus of a conference at 'Speaking Truth in Love Ministries' in Woodhull, NY, June 15-19.

In this edition of Hometown Heroes, Dale Ingraham talks about the ministry and the upcoming conference.

You can learn more at speakingtruthinlove.org.

You can learn more about featured conference speaker Paula Wallace from Trauma Informed Ministries International at tim222. com

Annette Davie is Executive Director of New Hope Family Services in Syracuse, New York.... in the news of late as part of a legal right against New York Attorney General Letitia James over abortion pill reversal...but focused for years on preserving life through adoption and pregnancy counseling.

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: cozyquiltministries@gmail.com 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.