“Know that your gift can be trusted here.” - A response to Tyler McKenzie

"Know that your gift can be trusted here." Tyler, how can we possibly know that? After the Z sued Bethany Marinelli with false claims? After self-reporting that approx. 23% (!?) of 2023's expenses went to advertising? (to the tune of $1,589,000). After all the billboards we've seen that say "Joy"? (AFTER The JOY FM came to town and your president tried to interfere.) The Z was running one just last month with "JOY" placed right over Z88.3FM! (and another with "Joy" to the left.) In 2024, the Z was running 3 different "Joy - Z88.3 FM" designs. It was cringey.

All this after Jim Hoge acted against the JOY FM and Z staffers spoke with MinistryWatch. But this isn't news to you, Tyler. You were there. And you probably interviewed with Joel Hunter, for his report, just 14-15 months prior. "This little rouge [sic] in HisAir...", sure, but you know it's about more than that. You'd remember Cindy, and the Cheesmans, and Therese, and Stephanie, and Jim and Carter, and Sheila; Lizzette, Carol, Cynthia, Jessica, Randy, (what about Clara?) and more...

...Now Alana's on the air last night and says that the Z doesn't have a big church or company helping meet its financial needs. Well how is it then that the Z's 2023 expenses were $6.9 million, but simple math says the fundraiser is only pursuing about $3.3 million? (approx 9,100 "families" [you're calling for larger business donations too] at $1/day / $365/year). Where's the other $3.6 million (now more?) coming from?

Tyler, this isn't the first time - in the Z's last fundraiser, the evening show said "...listener supported. No funding from this; no funding from that, but funded by listeners." Then there's a direct statement that the Z's not funded by ads. Then what? An immediate spot for Advent Health.

Now whether one calls it "advertising" or not - is Advent Health funding the Z? If they weren't, would the Z run spots for them? How about Palm Beach Atlantic University? And CentraCare?

If you believe that the Z has a valuable enough ministry that you and your co-workers should keep working there, that's one thing. Maybe, from your heart, you believe just that.

But your donors should be able to trust what you say, and what they hear on the Z.

...and for Bethany to be wrongfully sued, let alone in absence of evidence - that your station and president did this to her, but she hasn't heard anything, whatsoever, from anyone at the station - THAT is disgusting. That works against your, the Z's, supposed proclamation of Jesus, truth, and encouragement. No, we cannot simply trust you, The Z, with our gifts.

Maybe you're one of the people the Z hurt. Surely you've seen things go down. Yet you remain and seem to believe in what you're doing. I suspect that you're willing to see humanity even in someone who hurts you or someone next to you. Please remember: this page was started in support of Z staffers, present and past. You matter a great deal. You should always be treated with kindness and respect. But your listeners should be able to trust your words. You matter a great deal, but so do they, and all the "little ears" and young hearts involved.

I once had these words reported to me, Tyler: "Yes...all of that. But this [articles] is not the way to do it." "We don't want this to taint the gospel."

Perhaps those words resonate with you. If so, please remember: just a little yeast affects the whole batch of dough (how I must remember this). What's hidden in darkness gets exposed to light. Jesus, who loves 99 sheep, still sees the one that needs rescuing.

Arthur Marinelli is an 8 year old boy with "little ears." Your radio station and president attacked his mother.

With all of this said, I make no accusation that you supported the lawsuit or billboard activity. I do not assume that you're not trying to do good - with your co-workers and for your community. There are so many people that appreciate you and listen to you from day to day. You are much appreciated!

If only those people could trust the Z's walk to match its talk.

- Andrew Marinelli
September 25, 2025

tag: Z88.3 Mornings

[The original post is available here.]