The Westerville Community Christmas Parade
DEC 6 | Good for Westerville, along with presenting sponsor, BTTS holdings, are excited to return with the Westerville Community Christmas Parade...
Welcome to the River Family, WQKT!
Brought to you by:
Who we are, and who we want to be for YOU.
Some days, you might play The River for some nice background music. Some days, you’ll play it so your kids don’t hear anything inappropriate. But some days, you listen because life has knocked you down, and you need help getting back up. We’re here for all of them. Our mission is to show people who Jesus really is so they will grow closer to Him. We’re beyond excited to meet you and desire to get you connected to things that can make your day a little brighter!
We are committed to serving the Wooster community. We know change is hard and that 104.5 will sound different. While it may be different, our goal is that when you turn the dial, you will feel the love of Jesus through our programming, see his face in the faces of our staff, and find new hope when your day has been rough. We will be here for you.
Meet the DJ’s
Here are the people who will walk you through it all.
Josh and his wife, Jennifer, are the proud parents of four kids (and the teen years are everything they’ve been warned about!!!). Josh loves shooting baskets with the boys, watching his Cleveland sports teams, and watching sci-fi and adventure movies with the whole crew. He and his wife and daughter have a strong affinity for good coffee, too! Josh isn’t much for large crowds or loud, busy places, so he likes to keep his introverted-self at home or in situations where he’s with his closest friends and family, or even just on his own. And when he isn’t spending time with you on the morning show or enjoying his family, Josh is probably playing fetch with their puppy, Ollie, or rubbing his belly. Um, the dog’s belly, not his own. #yikes
Chad went to college for youth ministry and theology but ended up graduating with a degree in Broadcasting. Along with his love for Christian Radio, he also loves his wife and kids! Honorable mentions of his favorite things are hand tossed pizza, a good cup of coffee, stand-up comedy and hanging out at any sporting event with friends and family! Even though he was concerned about losing cool points when they got their minivan, sto-n-go storage was a game changer for him. It's the cargo shorts of vehicles!
Hannah is a self-proclaimed whirlwind. She thrives off of being on the go and changing things up! When things get to “normal” she rearranges her living room furniture for the 428th time or buys an impromptu plane ticket. The few things that make her want to slow down are playing with her pup and hanging out with her goofball nieces and nephew. If you’re trying to track her down best places to start are the volleyball court, bible study or any local restaurant…but truly, ya’ never where she might end up!
Joe grew up in South Dakota and had a family that was heavily involved in the media industry in Sioux Falls. After graduating high school in 2007, Joe went to college at the University of Northwestern, St. Paul and majored in Electronic Media with an emphasis in Audio Production and minored in Biblical Studies while also playing on the baseball team and serving as a guitar player for many on campus worship teams. After college he began his radio journey, which has brought him through Sioux Falls, Fargo, Orlando, Kansas City, and now Columbus. Joe is very passionate about sports and music. He still plays amateur baseball and is working on a bucket list goal of attending a MLB game in all 30 stadiums (while rooting for his beloved Philadelphia Phillies). Joe plays guitar, but more recently, decided to build one from a block of wood he got at a warehouse. He can also be found anywhere live music is and if the Newsboys are within a 4-hour radius chances are Joe is at that show.
As an Enneagram 1, Hailey is always looking to improve every room she enters. She’s a rule-follower, but in a fun way (at least she thinks so.) She loves to be outdoors, which is kind of a pre-requisite for being married to a park ranger. Hailey loves to get out and hike with her dog and best bud, Trout, who she’s only slightly obsessed with. Hailey considers herself a health nut, which makes her one of those weird people who actually enjoys working out. She loves to cook up healthy meals at home, but don’t be fooled…she’s always down for some pizza and ice cream. Like Rory Gilmore, she keeps a book with her at all times and gets a little rush every time she steps into a library or bookstore. Hailey’s been called a perfectionist, and while she can’t disagree, she’ll be the first to tell you that she is FAR from perfect. She’s learning to lean into God’s grace and is so thankful that even when she doesn’t get it “right,” God still loves her the same. And she wants you to know that’s true for you, too!
You know those wild extroverts who just can’t get enough of people?
Yeahhhhhh. That’s not Jace.Jace is an introvert who would rather be at home than in a crowd.
But he also knows we were created to need other people. So he’s working on it.Despite living in Columbus – and loving it! - Jace is a Michigan Man. His passion for college football led him to start The Rivalry Podcast with one of his closest Buckeye friends (You can subscribe here!)
Jace firmly believes sarcasm is the lost love language. But behind all that wittiness, Jace is a deep-thinker.
He holds an M.A. in Theology from Fuller Theological Seminary and loves burying his nose in a book.When he’s not on the radio, you can find him being a coffee snob, watching sports, or spending time with his wife (Lyndsey) and their boys (Malachi and Titus).
Shannon loves adventures so much, she wishes it could be her middle name. She is very spontaneous, energetic, but being a homebody is nice sometimes. Being goofy is her first nature, not her second. Learning new things (and actually, everything) like taking up coding, knitting, baking yumminess, playing new video games, building projects…the list goes on for miles. But investing in people, giving them oodles of gifts, and loving life alongside others; that’s what she lives for.
Shannon is originally from Atlanta, but recently moved to Ohio! (she’d love to be your friend!) Here’s the weird thing though…she likes the cold and can tolerate it very well (way too well). She’s getting the snow she never got as a kid, and loves every bit of it!
Obadiah has been doing radio in Columbus for more than 20 years but wants you to remember that age and maturity do not go hand in hand. When he’s not on the air, he’s doing adult things like being a husband, father, and working as a Creative Director at a local church or he’s indulging his inner-child in video games, movies, and graphic novels. He also goes to the gym a lot but you’ll never be able to tell by looking at him.
Greg can tell you to the day…ANY day, how long he’s been married to his awesome wife Julie. They have two sons, Wesley and Cooper. Greg’s known for Friday night homemade pizza night as well as being pretty handy around the house when he has the time. You may have also heard Greg’s voice at Nationwide arena, where he’s been the Public Address announcer (AKA the “Jackets on the powerplay!!!” guy) for the Columbus Blue Jackets since they came to Columbus in 2000-he’s never missed a Blue Jackets home game.
LauraLee lives with her husband Bill, three sons, and one dog. A theater and track/cross-country mom, she’s either helping with the show, in the audience, or on the sidelines. She likes to thinks she’s crafty, but many projects end in Pinterest fails. She likes to bike, walk, read, journal, knit, scrapbook, bake, and let’s be honest: Facebook a bit too much. With one kid in college, another finishing high school, and a third in middle school, the last 20 years are summed up in this quote: The days are long, but the years are short. And boy, are they. Hug them lots before you blink and they are on to the next season.
Brant Hansen is a toast-obsessed nerd who, when in high school, was no less than PRESIDENT of the Illinois Student Librarians Association. He was also All-Conference in “Scholastic Bowl”, and lettered in basketball and football (both for keeping statistics) and was President of his own Stamp Collection Club, which consisted of himself. Brant spends his free time looking inappropriately intense. (He can’t help it.) He’s also a husband and dad, and he’s won multiple awards for his radio hosting skills. He hosts The Brant Hansen Show with his producer Sherri.
Sherri Lynn has been a broadcast professional and stand-up comedienne for over a decade. (So yes, you’ll laugh.) Sherri is also a writer and director. She recently produced and released a comedy DVD entitled “The Very Funny Church Comedy Show: Together We Laugh.” Sherri also wrote, directed, and starred in a stage play about race in the church. “The Bold and the Sanctified“ showed in various cities, sold out multiple performances, and starred American Idol winner Ruben Studdard.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does The River do?
We are a Contemporary Christian radio network, and our goal is to bring the hope of Jesus to every home in Ohio. Our music and programming are designed to be encouraging and family friendly, and we actively look for ways to engage in ministry in the community.
Where can I listen?
You can listen online on our website or on our mobile app! Or you can find us on your radio at:
104.9 the River Columbus
104.5 the River Wooster
89.3 the River Newark
89.3 the River Chillicothe
90.9 the River Lancaster
We are also available on Alexa, and all other smart devices through TuneIn, iHeart and Audacy Apps.
Get the River Mobile App:
Apple Users Google Users
How do I connect with your chaplain and prayer ministry?
We have Chaplains on staff that are a safe place to turn if you need council, a listening ear, prayer, or direction. You can learn more about them and reach out to them here.
You can let a Chaplain know about your prayer request, or you can write it on our prayer page! We monitor the prayer wall ourselves and you can be certain we are praying for you.
How else can I connect and learn more?
River Radio Ministries also has a host of other resources for you! Here’s a list of opportunities:
River Insider – Our email updates to keep you informed about what’s going on
River Facebook – Stay connected to hope and encouraging content on social media
RiverNOW – Laugh, sing along and connect with our DJs, Artists and other Original Content on our YouTube Channel
River Small Group – Study the Bible and connect with others on Facebook with daily readings
River Podcasts – A variety of on-demand content to help you learn, laugh and grow
More Resources for You
Want some next steps to get to know us, deepen your faith, or connect? Here are some good places to start...
Chaplains
We have trained Chaplains on staff who are available for you! Share a prayer request or just talk through things going on in your life...
Devotionals Written by our DJ’s
Sign up for a short weekly devotional sent straight to your inbox every Monday, and start your week off encouraged!
Find Hope
Learn more about the hope we have in Jesus, and hear River artists discuss some of the tough questions we all face about our faith.
Sharathon Kickstart
You can be a part of bringing the hope and love of Jesus into homes across Ohio and beyond!...
Giving Tuesday
DEC 2 | Celebrate Giving Tuesday by getting involved here at YOUR River Radio Station!...
Christmas In The Round: An Intimate Evening of Songs & Stories
DEC 19 - 20 | Join this star-studded group for Christmas In The Round: An Intimate Evening of Songs & Stories....
Gift & Receive presented by Elevated Integrity Construction & Cruikshank Plumbing
This Christmas season, you can give an amazing gift to someone you know, and receive one, too! It’s The River's Gift and Receive presented by...
The Giving Machine
Imagine if helping a stranger was as easy as grabbing a snack from a vending machine...
The River’s Advent Calendar presented by Mount Vernon Nazarene University
Join your River family on a journey through Christmas with The River's Advent Calendar presented by Mount Vernon Nazarene University...
The Upstream Podcast presented by Elevated Integrity
Feeling like you're swimming upstream in the river of life? Struggling against the current? Introducing The Upstream Podcast presented by...
Elevation Nights
MAR 4 | Elevation Worship is returning to Columbus at Nationwide Arena on March, 4th 2026 with the Elevation Nights Tour!...
Winter Jam 2026
JAN 24 | Winter Jam is back for 2026, which means you can see a ton of your favorite artists for just $15!...
Wonderlights Christmas in Ohio
NOV 14 - JAN 4 | Come see over 1 million LED lights synchronized to your favorite Christmas tunes played through your own car stereo....
The River’s Fundraising Progress 2025
OCT 13 - Dec 31 | Your River is blessed to share music and ministry across Ohio that shows who Jesus really is - and it’s all made possible...
Brewing Better Leaders with Bill Montgomery presented by Dulci Sweets
SEP 22 | An encouraging word, career advice, and caffeine are all available, all at once - in the Brewing Better Leaders podcast hosted by River...
Fall Frenzy 2025
FALL | The River is stopping by Fall Festivals & Trunk or Treats all over the city every chance we get...
Ohio Christian Education Network SGO Christian School Directory
JUL 25 | You can change a student’s life—at no cost to you....
River Coffee Route presented by Design Outreach
JUL 26 | "Kick-Off Party THIS SATURDAY July 26th at Joy Local in Gahanna....
For Columbus Wednesday Mid-Day Prayer presented by Pray4Ohio
For Columbus aims to inspire, unite, and activate followers of Jesus to promote the common good in the city...
Take a Bible thanks to Elevated Integrity
Elevated Integrity wants to give more people an opportunity to own a copy of God's word...
River Music Team Top 20 Countdown
TOP 20 | Hear each week's top 20 songs and vote for your favorite...
Ohio’s Scholarship Tax Credit
NOW | What if you could give scholarships for kids to go to Christian schools... and it not cost you a dime?...
The Rivalry Podcast presented by Elevated Integrity Construction
A Michigan Man. A Buckeye Nut. A podcast they thought was a good idea for some reason....
Connect with a River Chaplain for Prayer!
If you've felt isolated and alone, you can connect to The River's community of prayer, AND our chaplains here!...
The River Small Group
We created a group to read the Bible together and share our stories. Connect with us!...
REnew – Sunday Mornings on The River!
Listen to REnew on Sunday mornings to refocus, reconnect and refill your tank!...