In this episode of A Beautiful Church Podcast, host Adam Whitescarver sits down with Justin Wade, President of Partners for Christian Media, to discuss the growth and challenges of Christian media in Chattanooga. Justin shares his personal story, his leadership at J103, and the creative ways Partners for Christian Media reaches people through radio, streaming platforms, and community events. Together, they explore how local Christian radio, events like JFest, and online testimony projects like “Come On, Let’s Go” are impacting the community, spreading hope, and building meaningful connections.

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Timestamps for Key Discussion Points:

00:00:03:04 - 00:00:25:22
Introduction
Adam Whitescarver introduces the podcast and welcomes listeners, giving an overview of the Chattanooga House of Prayer and the purpose of the episode.

00:00:26:00 - 00:00:49:06
Setting the Stage
Adam discusses the series focus on interviewing reputable nonprofits around Chattanooga, aiming to increase awareness and collaboration. He introduces guest Justin Wade, Executive Director of Partners for Christian Media.

00:00:49:06 - 00:00:56:11
Introduction of Justin Wade
A light-hearted exchange between Adam and Justin, setting the tone for the episode.

00:00:56:11 - 00:01:16:19
Partners for Christian Media
Justin Wade explains his role as the leader of Partners for Christian Media and introduces the organization's primary brands, including J103, JFest, Come On Let's Go, and JRadio.

00:01:16:20 - 00:01:43:00
Justin's Background
Justin shares his personal story, including being born and raised in Chattanooga, his family life, and his role at Partners for Christian Media.

00:01:43:02 - 00:01:54:22
Getting to Know Justin
Adam and Justin discuss Justin's active lifestyle, including his passion for running and triathlons, and how he balances that with family and ministry responsibilities.

00:01:55:00 - 00:02:25:02
Personal Life and Family
Justin talks about his daughters, his commitment to being present for his family despite a busy schedule, and the importance of making time for them.

00:02:25:04 - 00:03:04:06
Finding Time for Fitness
Adam and Justin continue discussing Justin's fitness routine, how he manages to train for long races like marathons and triathlons, and how he involves his family in supporting his training.

00:03:04:08 - 00:04:14:00
Work-Life Balance
A conversation about the balance between work, family, and personal time, and how Justin manages to stay active while fulfilling his leadership role at Partners for Christian Media.

00:04:14:02 - 00:05:14:02
The Role of the Family in Ministry
Justin reflects on how his family supports his ministry work, particularly during his triathlon training days, and the family dynamics of supporting ministry work together.

00:05:14:02 - 00:06:06:14
Professional Journey
Justin shares his journey of how he ended up at Partners for Christian Media, starting with a conversation over a job opportunity at J103 while working in a restaurant, and the unexpected path that led him into Christian media.

00:06:06:16 - 00:07:01:21
Early Days at J103
Justin describes his initial role at J103, waiting for traffic reports to come in while working at the station, and how he transitioned into more responsibility through a combination of boredom and initiative.

00:07:01:23 - 00:08:11:23
Learning on the Job
A humorous recount of how Justin took initiative to learn a new automation system at J103 and how this led to more opportunities for him within the organization.

00:08:12:01 - 00:09:01:23
The Evolution of Christian Radio
Adam and Justin discuss how Christian radio has evolved and the unique role J103 plays in the Chattanooga area, remaining locally based while other stations are more centralized.

00:09:02:01 - 00:10:17:01
Partners for Christian Media’s Impact
Justin explains the mission and model behind Partners for Christian Media, which includes a mix of community support from businesses and individuals, and how this hybrid model has helped them remain financially sustainable for almost 30 years.

00:10:17:03 - 00:11:01:08
J103 and the Community
The conversation shifts to J103’s local impact, focusing on how being based in Chattanooga gives the station a unique connection to the community, from local traffic updates to promoting local events and concerts.

00:11:01:10 - 00:12:05:08
Navigating Recessions and Challenges
Justin talks about how Partners for Christian Media has navigated challenges over the years, including economic recessions and the pandemic, and how the organization has adapted to these challenges.

00:12:05:10 - 00:13:01:08
Supporting the Community
Justin discusses how Partners for Christian Media prioritizes supporting local businesses and ministries and how they make decisions on who to partner with to ensure their mission aligns with Christian values.

00:13:01:10 - 00:14:00:13
Come On Let’s Go
An in-depth look at “Come On Let’s Go,” a platform for sharing Christian testimonies through video storytelling, and how it reaches people online who may not otherwise hear the gospel.

00:14:00:15 - 00:14:50:23
Testimonies with Impact
Justin shares the reach of Come On Let’s Go, with millions of views and thousands of people engaging with the gospel through personal testimonies, and how the platform has become an effective tool for online ministry.

00:14:51:00 - 00:16:00:23
The Power of Storytelling
Adam and Justin discuss the power of testimonies in reaching people who might not attend church, using online platforms to reach the lost, and the spiritual impact of sharing real-life stories.

00:16:01:00 - 00:18:00:00
JRadio and Other Ministries
Justin explains how JRadio was created to meet the demand for online music streaming, giving listeners a safe, Christian alternative to mainstream streaming services, while still fostering trust and community engagement.

00:18:00:00 - 00:19:00:00
JFest and Its Mission
Justin talks about JFest, the major Christian music festival hosted by Partners for Christian Media, its origins as a fundraiser, and how it has evolved into a major community event that brings people together from all walks of life.

00:19:00:00 - 00:21:00:00
How to Get Involved
The episode wraps up with Justin sharing ways people can get involved in the various ministries under Partners for Christian Media, whether through volunteering, sharing testimonies, or attending events like JFest.

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Prayer Requests:

Pray for wisdom and discernment as Christian media navigates a rapidly changing digital world.

Pray for God’s provision and guidance for upcoming events like JFest and the expansion of media ministries.

Pray for open hearts as Partners for Christian Media shares the gospel through testimonies and music.

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Resources Mentioned:

J103: https://www.j103.com/

Come On, Let’s Go – https://www.comeonletsgo.com/

JRadio – http://www.jradio.fm/

JFest – https://jfest.com/

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