Born in Ohio, bred in Texas, Christina joins K-LOVE’s on-air lineup from Baltimore’s BRIGHT-FM. A seasoned veteran of Christian radio, behind the mic, she loves to connect listeners to the heart of God through prayer. She even hosted her own prayer-focused show back in Maryland years ago. The brand new Nashville transplant loves a good workout (She’s a certified personal trainer!), but she promises to be rested up for her air shift from 5 p.m. - 9 p.m. CT — preferred working hours for the self-professed night owl. We’re certain you’ll love getting to know Christina in the months to come, but in the meantime, let us be the first to introduce you to K-LOVE’s newest DJ.
K-LOVE: When you were growing up, did you dream of being on the radio?
Christina: Not really, but as a kid, I would go in my room, shut the door and conduct interviews by myself…as if I was being interviewed, or I was asking the questions. It’s funny, because I think about that often, like, man, this was already imprinted on me — to utilize my voice and express some things this way — early on.
K-LOVE: You didn’t end up majoring in journalism. So, what were your professional aspirations when you got to college?
Christina: I did think about journalism, but the school I went to did not have a proper journalism program. I went to the University of Texas at Dallas. I also thought I should be a doctor; but I got to college, and chemistry was like, “No, this ain’t it.” And I was like, “You’re right!” So then I switched to psychology —that’s what my degree is in.
K-LOVE: How did you ultimately land in Christian radio?
Christina: A year goes by after college, I’m on my way home from work — I was working at a bank — and this thought came to my mind as I’m listening to the radio: “You should get into radio; you can do that.” I’m like, what? But, the thought lingered.
I got home, I told my parents, and my mom connected me with a friend of hers who was in media, and that’s how I got started. I was able to put together an aircheck, and I held onto that for a year-and-a-half… I was still working at a bank, and another thought came: “You should email the program director at KVTT,” which was a Christian radio station in Dallas. I did! I asked if they had any internship programs or any part-time positions available, and they said, “We do. Can you come in for an interview next week?” So I go in on a Thursday and meet with everyone. Later that afternoon, I get an email from the program director that says, “We loved your voice. We’d love to work with you. Can you start Saturday?”
I didn’t go on-air right away — there was a lot of programming in there — but that’s how it happened. It was just really a nudge from the God above, who said, “You need to do this. This is where you’re supposed to be. Use your mouth, let Me say some things through it.” So here I am.
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K-LOVE: What has your faith journey looked like? When did your relationship with the Lord become a significant part of your life?
Christina: From the womb. My mom is a praying woman; she still is. She would go into her room often, shut the door and pray. And what she’d tell me is, “Chris, I’m going in my room.” And what that meant was: “Do not bother me, because I’m going to be praying, and if you’re not dying, and your brother and sister are not dying, leave me alone.” So, I have had an environment that was conducive for me to know God all my life, but I didn’t really start to understand it all until I was probably in my early 20s and had this very real encounter with Him. I think a lot of it was me, and my parents, and God; not just me and God. You see them living their life, and you notice how they’re doing things, but it’s a whole other ballgame when it’s just you and God.
K-LOVE: Has there been a time throughout your career where you’ve witnessed the power of Christian radio?
Christina: So years ago, I did a program in Baltimore, and the premise of the show was prayer. People would call in for prayer; we’d pray with each other. I mean, I mainly did the praying, but listeners would call in and pray for other listeners.
A few years ago, a gentleman reached out to me. He’d been listening to the station for a long time. So he reached out, and he said, “Christina, during that time when you would pray in the evening, I was in prison. It was crazy, but I had this little radio and the only station I could get was your station. I would hear you praying for people, and it would always stop me in my tracks. And I just believe it was the Holy Spirit.”
It really made me realize how God is so strategic, number one, but also beyond any limits that we have; beyond any boundaries, beyond any kind of structure that we think He can be in. And I know this is so cliché, but doggone it, it’s true. He will use whatever, and whomever, to get to somebody. You also realize it’s really just about being available. Because somehow God’s going to get to that person in prison. If it wasn’t me, it was going to be somebody else. God’s like, “Somebody give me a vehicle.” And Christian radio is a massive vehicle to get messaging across to human hearts.
K-LOVE: Is there a current K-LOVE song or artist that you have on repeat right now?
Christina: Jamie MacDonald, “Desperate.” You feel the desperation in her voice. You hear her, and you may not know her whole story, but you know she’s got a story... I cannot wait to hear her next song.
K-LOVE: What do you want K-LOVE listeners to know about you from the outset?
Christina: I want to be a soft place to land your heart and a friend to hang with while you’re ending your day.
K-LOVE: What can listeners expect to hear from you during your time on-air?
Christina: I’m going to pray. There’s something about the conversation on behalf of other people with God that keeps us connected to God. Praying for one another is so powerful. Regardless of how God will answer, it keeps us in His face. That’s always the point of prayer, to keep our face in front of His face. So, I’m going to do that as often as I can.
K-LOVE: What do you like to do in your free time?
Christina: I like to stay active. I used to teach boot camp classes and spin classes, but now I just stay active on my own. I also like to drive — just get out on the open road and go. Sometimes I’ll get up and go drive five hours somewhere — my own little road trip. I’ve done that, and my friends are like, “Girl, you are crazy.” I’m like, “I know, it’s fine. Let me live!” Ha!
