Hometown Heroes

Hometown Heroes

A special Family Life news feature that tells the story of people who are sharing Jesus in their community. 

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Hometown Heroes
Hometown Heroes - Kara Kennemuth- "Women at the Well Ministries of Pennsylvania" in Corsica, PA

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.

00:08:06
Sep 2, 2025 12:30 PM
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More Episodes

Hometown Heroes
Hometown Heroes - Tim Kolpien - "Elmira Impact"

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

00:07:12
Aug 5, 2025 5:52 PM
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Hometown Heroes
Hometown Heroes - Michael Arrington - "Care Net Penn Yan"

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/

00:08:06
Jul 29, 2025 12:30 PM
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Hometown Heroes
Hometown Heroes - Stacy Novak & Katie Green - "Bible 2Schools-Johnstown, PA"

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.

 

00:09:38
Jul 8, 2025 12:30 PM
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Hometown Heroes
Hometown Heroes - Maria Whitman - "Ignite the Waterfront"

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.

00:05:36
Jul 1, 2025 12:30 PM
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Hometown Heroes
Hometown Heroes - Pastor Brandt Fuller/"Ultimate Freedom" event

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.

00:05:17
Jun 17, 2025 7:45 PM
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Hometown Heroes
Hometown Heroes - David Southwck with Bridge Studios

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...

 

00:07:02
Jun 3, 2025 12:30 PM
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Hometown Heroes
Hometown Heroes - Laverne Beachy with Bald Eagle Camp

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.

 

00:07:35
Jun 3, 2025 9:15 AM
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Hometown Heroes
Hometown Heroes - Cheryl Flick with Western New York Foster Closet

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.

00:08:17
May 20, 2025 7:40 PM
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Hometown Heroes
Hometown Heroes - Pastor Brad Heltman with Watermarke Church in Bellefonte, Pennsylvania

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.

00:05:52
May 20, 2025 7:37 PM
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Hometown Heroes
Hometown Heroes - Jessica Vamos with the Keystone Chapter of Canines 4 Christ

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.

00:06:21
May 6, 2025 12:30 PM
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Hometown Heroes
Hometown Heroes - Pastor Mike Bruno with Abba Ministries Counseling Center

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.

00:07:24
Apr 29, 2025 1:40 PM
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Hometown Heroes
Hometown Heroes: Lisa Lyon - Executive Director of "The Relief Zone"

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.

00:06:03
Apr 9, 2025 7:41 PM
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Hometown Heroes
Hometown Heroes: Bath, NY school superintendent Kelly Houck on "Ram-Mart"

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.'

00:05:36
Mar 25, 2025 12:50 PM
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Hometown Heroes
Hometown Heroes: Missionary to Ukraine & Romania - Todd Gallagher, 3/12/25

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.

00:05:56
Mar 20, 2025 5:20 PM
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Hometown Heroes
FLN Hometown Heroes: Fatherhood Initiative - Mike Hennessey, 3/12/25

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

00:05:45
Mar 11, 2025 11:7 AM
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Hometown Heroes
FLN Hometown Heroes: Farmers Helping Farmers - Brittany Eisenman, Part 2 - 3/04/25

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

 

 

00:06:19
Mar 4, 2025 12:20 PM
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Hometown Heroes
FLN Hometown Heroes: Farmers Helping Farmers - Brittany Eisenman - 2/25/25

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:  

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photo credit: facebook/brittany eisenman

#hometownheroes

#familylifenews

00:06:45
Feb 25, 2025 12:20 PM
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Hometown Heroes
Family Life Hometown Heroes: Kingdom Builders - Bill Sears - 2/18/25

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.

 

00:06:23
Feb 18, 2025 12:20 PM
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