Community Spotlight

This weekly feature highlights the work people are doing in The Light FM’s listening area. You’ll hear interesting and lively conversations with community difference makers.

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Episodes

Joni and Friends

Braxtons sits down with Joni and Friends for this weeks Community Spotlight!

Wings of Mercy

Braxton sits down with Wings of Mercy on this weeks Community Spotlight!

Shepherds for Sheepdogs

Braxton talks to Shepherds for Sheepdogs about their impact in the community!

The Singles Network

Braxton talks to The Singles Network about their impact in the community!

Embrace Grace

Braxton Critcher talks about the works of Embrace Grace in the community!

S2L Recovery

In this Community Spotlight episode, Braxton talks with Sarah Keel about her faith-driven transition from Renew Clinic Knoxville to Spring to Life Recovery in Middle Tennessee. Sarah shares how God led her through an uncomfortable season of change, her calling as a ministry builder, and her passion for Christ-centered addiction recovery. The conversation dives into how churches can better understand addiction, support those in recovery, and create space for healing through a biblical and compassionate approach—especially as addiction continues to rise in communities.

NC Baptists on Mission

In this Community Spotlight episode, Braxton sits down with Mark Abernathy from North Carolina Baptists on Mission to highlight the impact of the Appalachian Christmas Outreach. The conversation covers how churches across North Carolina partner together to serve families in Appalachia through winter essentials, backpacks, and the hope of the Gospel. Mark shares how the initiative has grown from 5,000 backpacks to nearly 25,000 in 2025, powerful stories of impact, and simple ways churches and individuals can get involved next year.

Mission Christmas

Community Spotlight with Braxton Critcher shines a light on Mission Christmas, a year-round outreach based in Statesville that’s been serving families across North Carolina for more than a decade. Braxton talks with Ben Loomis about how his wife Kate started Mission Christmas with a simple goal—to help kids in need—and how God has grown it far beyond what they imagined.

From providing Christmas gifts and school supplies to responding to disasters like Hurricane Helene, Mission Christmas is meeting real needs with compassion and humility. You’ll hear how local volunteers, donors, and community partners are helping make a difference—and how you can be part of what God is doing through this incredible ministry.

Find out more here: https://www.mission-christmas.com/

One Vision International

Braxton talks with Rachel Cox, who oversees Brazil and the Dominican Republic for One Vision International, a Knoxville-based ministry that meets practical needs—like medical care, education, and job skills—as a bridge to sharing the gospel. Rachel highlights their Christ-centered sewing program in the DR, which began with two volunteers teaching a small group of women basic skills and has grown into a full ministry where women study Scripture, earn income, and even serve widows in their community through handmade gifts. Around Christmas, these women create ornaments that One Vision sells in the U.S., with 100% of each purchase going directly back to the woman who made it. Rachel encourages listeners to get involved, support the artisans, and pray for upcoming mission work in 2026 as local believers continue sharing Jesus in their communities.

Bounty of Bethlehem

Braxton talks with Dr. Christopher Wilson, the new executive director of Bounty of Bethlehem in Hendersonville, a 43-year-old Christmas Day meal ministry that brings the whole community together to serve anyone in need. Christopher shares how he first got involved as a junior high student and how the love and unity he experienced back then drew him back to lead the ministry today. The event, hosted at the Salvation Army, involves hundreds of volunteers, a massive prep process, and thousands of meals—many delivered through Meals on Wheels—along with hundreds served in person. He highlights ongoing volunteer needs, the heart behind the program, and how deeply the Hendersonville community rallies together. Despite the huge responsibility, Christopher says he feels called by God to step into this role and carry the ministry forward.