I have had the privilege of working alongside some truly inspiring people, and one of them was my dear friend, Theresa Ross. Theresa’s faith and dedication to serving God were contagious, and she often reminded me of the power of prayer, especially during times of uncertainty.

One afternoon as Theresa was filling in for Morgan in the afternoons here at KSBJ, and she shared a simple yet profound prayer request with me. She said,

Will you pray for me? I don’t know what’s ahead, but I trust God has already prepared the way.

Those words stuck with me because they captured the essence of surrendering our plans to God. She faced a LONG and uncertain road ahead with her new battle with an aggressive cancer and she was praising God amid the news. Here stood a woman who I would goof around with, share stories about our adult kids, prayer requests, and of course radio stuff about to walk thru some serious surgeries, chemo and radiation. Yet she had SUCH a deep trust in her Jesus that no matter what the outcome she knew He would be there every step. She bravely battled cancer, she never wavered in her trust in God. Instead of giving in to fear or bitterness, Theresa chose to praise Him daily. She would often say,

God has been so good to me, and He’s still good, no matter what.

Her unwavering faith was a testament to her deep relationship with the Lord, and it inspired everyone around her. Theresa called herself a "Hope Dealer"; and I want to strive to become just that.... a Hope Dealer! Even when she was SO very sick in the hospital, every person that came into her room she would look them in the eye and tell them "You have to know how much Jesus loves you!".

As a radio personality at KSBJ, Theresa had a rare gift for connecting with people’s hearts. Through her words, stories, and prayers on air, she touched hundreds of thousands of listeners, helping them take steps closer to God. Her voice carried more than encouragement—it carried hope, love, and the assurance of God’s presence. She reminded people that no matter where they were in life, they were never too far from His grace. How many times do I find myself doubting God with the simple things; but yet Theresa showed me that you can trust God with ANYTHING! She truly had a heart for God! Theresa walked into her heavenly home on 12/30/24. Please be in prayer for her husband of 6 years, her 2 adult children and her 2 "bonus" sons.

Grief is hard; but you don't have to walk thru it alone. I recently did our World's Biggest Small Group Study "Overcoming Hopelessness" and it gave me a new perspective.

World's Biggest Small Group

10 Bible Verses for Dealing with Grief

Theresa’s story is a reminder that prayer is not just about asking for answers or solutions—it’s about finding peace and strength in God’s presence, even in the storm. Her legacy continues to inspire me and countless others to live a life of faith, praise, and prayer. As we step into this new year, may we follow her example of trusting God wholeheartedly and using our gifts to bring others closer to Him.

If you want to see her memorial service, here's the YouTube link: