Ben Smith's blog

Well, we've been talking about it for a long time now and it is now the first day of National Collection Week for Operation Christmas Child!  You can pack a box with small gifts, school supplies, toiletries and candy for children ages 2-14.  Also, each child will receive the ultimate gift, the gospel of Jesus Christ in their own language!

We talked about Ruth's House Ice Tea Stand today on the show and I wanted to give you all the details.  Get the info here, then you can go out and grab a special Ruth's House brew of Ice Tea!

Were getting excited about Holiday World's Rock the World Christian music festival in August and wanted to get you the final list of bands that will be performing.  Of course some of your favorite Christian artists will be there including Jeremy Camp, Tenth

We discuseed on the show today the horrible weather and tornadoes in the area this past week.  I want to give you information about how you can volunteer and get involved.  Also, we discussed Blood Water Mission's 40 Days of Water.

Updated from January 15th show:

At this very moment, there are 27 million people in slavery around the world.  This is more than ANY other time in history.

Does that statistic hit you like it hits me? That is staggering and unbelievable, but we can do something about it!

We've been talking about the Grammys on Joyful Noise this morning and I wanted to let you know all your favorite Christian artists that are nominated.

 I've discussed Operation Christmas Child on the air the past couple weeks and I want to share it with you.  Operation Christmas Child is a great ministry of Samaritans Purse where you can provide shoebox Christmas gifts to children all over the world. Not only are gifts provided, but the Gospel is shared with each gift that is passed out, so children can receive the ultimate gift of Salvation.  Since 1993, Operation Christmas Child has passed out over 77 million shoe boxes. It is a great national ministry, but there are also many ways you can get involved locally.

We had the privilege of having members of Grace and Peace Lutheran Church and the Sounds of Grace Reunion Choir on Joyful Noise this morning.  We discussed their event happening TONIGHT at the Victory Theatre in Evansville. It is called Celebrate Mission and will feature speaker and author Walter Wangerin Jr. and the Sounds of Grace Reunion Choir.  I know this will be a great night of music and ministry all to support  Mission of Grace.

I have talked about various Christian music festivals on the air for a few weeks now, but I wanted to give you a mass list of area festivals where you can hear some of your favorite Christian artists this summer!

- Ichthus Music Festival- June 15-18, 2011 in Wilmore, KY

Artists Include: Hillsong United, The City Harmonic, Chris Tomlin, Remedy Drive, Red, Anberlin, Flame, Lecrae, The Wedding, Family Force Five, Josh Wilson, Derek Webb and MANY MORE!

I'm sure like me you were devastated on Friday morning when you heard about the earthquake and tsunami in Japan. It's often hard to understand why such horrible disasters occur.  Well I can be sad, but still try to help.  I want share with you some organizations that are on the ground in Japan working and helping people.  You can get involved, serve God and show HOPE to the people of Japan.

- World Vision is working to rebuild and help children who were affected by the disaster.