Meet Therese Romano

We have some exciting news to share with you, our Northern Christian Radio family! We’re thankful for how God has been at work in this ministry, and we’re looking ahead to what’s next. We’re so glad to welcome Therese Romano as our new General Manager—a leader who loves Jesus, loves people, and is excited to serve right here in Northern Michigan. We’d love for you to get to know Therese a little better in the Q&A below.

Therese, tell us about how you met Jesus.

I grew up in church and went for 12 years to a Catholic school outside of Detroit. I was fortunate enough to be at a church that had a Charismatic prayer group. A friend invited me to the youth group. It was exactly what I needed. The focus on Jesus and forming a personal relationship with Him was something I desperately needed. For a variety of reasons, I started having panic attacks and struggled with anxiety starting in middle school. I quit just about everything and believed I would end up being committed somewhere eventually…but GOD! He lead me to this youth group where I got teaching and worship and real relationships with peers and adult leaders. Their commitment to a young, very insecure, anxiety-ridden young lady is what lead me to accept Jesus as my Lord and Savior. I am still friends with many of those folks to this day.

What first drew you to Christian radio, and how did your journey lead you to Northern Christian Radio?

In the aforementioned youth-group, I was introduced to Contemporary Christian music. It spoke to my heart and helped me stay the course in my walk with the Lord. At that time, there was only one Christian radio station in our area, and it was mostly teaching and talk. As a teen, my heart yearned for a Christian music station to listen to. So, when I got into radio at the tender age of 19 in Big Rapids, I was determined to get the experience I needed to find my way onto a Christian station. 5 years later, I was blessed to get a job at WWCM – a Christian music station in Ypsilanti, MI. Since that time, I’ve worked primarily in Christian radio and radio adjacent organizations. I’ve had just about every job you can have at a radio station. My journey has taken me from coast to coast and north to south in this country. Coming to Northern Christian Radio is like coming home. I asked God to put a big red stop sign in my way if pursuing this opportunity was not His will for me. I am excited that I got the green light and pray that I honor Him in all I do at NCR and in my life.

As you step into the role of General Manager, what excites you most about serving our listeners in Northern Michigan?

Sharing Jesus’ love with as many people as possible one heart at a time. I LOVE the NCR mission statement: to see lives changed, families strengthened, and communities impacted for the glory of Christ, in Northern Michigan. So many people are hurting and in need of God’s love and healing and hope and truth and encouragement. Being on a team that points people to our only true hope is an honor and blessing.

What experiences in your career have best prepared you for this new chapter?

God has blessed me with opportunities I never dreamed of as that 19-year-old who got into radio because she didn’t know what else to do with her life. I have worked for and lead teams at a couple of nationwide radio networks. I’ve managed programming and other departments in stations outside of New York City, Washington DC, Orlando and Birmingham, AL to name a few. Each place sewed into me things that have helped me to develop a sense of how a leader at a Christian ministry should love the listeners, donors and staff. I love this verse from 1Peter 4:10 - “Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.” This is something I aspire to in life and work.

Northern Michigan has a unique character and close-knit communities—how do you hope the NCR stations will reflect and support that?

I believe that we are blessed with a team who LOVE these communities and recognize the similarities and differences in them. Many on the team are Michiganders who have lived in Northern Michigan for their entire lives. Others have adopted the area as their home. They live here and love here and serve here. They attend the same churches as our listeners and go to the same restaurants. Our staff and board reflect this area like almost none other I’ve worked with. Because of this, we can serve our community by helping to provide the needs of those we engage with daily. For example, every January during Sanctity of Life Month, The Promise FM holds “Michigan’s Biggest Baby Shower”. This is an opportunity for NCR to put feet to our faith and offer love and support to pregnancy resource centers and the families they serve. One of the first things that the WLJN staff in Traverse City said to me when I met them is that they are excited to get back out and do more ministry in their community, too. As a team leader, how could you ask for more?

What role do you believe Christian radio plays in today’s media landscape?

There are so many choices that people have these days for media but most of them do not support Christian faith and values. Christian radio is like your best friend riding along with you as you pick up the kids or visit a sick relative or battle against loneliness. God’s truth has been snuffed out of most places in our society but on Christian radio you hear the message of His salvation, the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross, the hope for eternal life in heaven. These reminders keep us focused on the things of God and not on the lies of the enemy or on things that don’t truly matter.

How do you stay encouraged and grounded in your faith?

About 8 years ago, I made a New Year’s resolution to read the Bible every day that year. I still read my Bible every day…even if it’s just one verse. There’s nothing more grounding than the word of God. I also have a small group of close friends with whom I do Bible study online. We read books to grow our faith and do studies to learn more about who God is. These women are so precious to me. We have prayed each other through so many things…including my journey to be the new General Manager at Northern Christian Radio. I also cherish a solid Bible-teaching church with good worship music.

What has God taught you in the last year or so?

In 2025, my word for the year was “Surrender”. I don’t usually pick a word but I felt very strongly about letting go of my need to control and let God lead the way. I had many chances personally and professionally to let go and let God. One example: I’ve needed surgery on my neck for years. 3 discs needed to be replaced to relieve the compression on the nerves. Fear kept me from moving forward with the surgery. Last year, through surrender and trust, I sought out a surgeon and talked about a plan. Anxiety started to ramp up once a date was chosen. So, I sought out a good Christian therapist and worked through a few things. On Jan. 20, 2026, I surrendered and trusted God by having the surgery. God provided an unbelievable amount of peace that passes understanding leading up to the day. He’s also provided remarkable healing since.

What are some interests or hobbies our listeners might be surprised to learn about you?

I have my motorcycle license even though I haven’t ridden in years. I’d love to get back to enjoying the wind in my hair (with a helmet on) on a 2-wheeled machine. I enjoy playing golf but haven’t done so in a couple of years. I’d love to take a few refresher lessons and get back on the course. I LOVE LOVE LOVE worship music. I used to play guitar in my youth group leading worship and that love has stayed with me. I helped start a worship music streaming service 22 years ago that is still going strong today.

Michigan or Michigan State?

I don’t want to make any enemies already!!! Can I answer this with: OCC (Oakland Comm. College)? That’s where I took classes that ended up landing me my first radio job. But if I HAVE to choose, I’d say UofM. My niece attended Michigan and my sister is putting her PhD to work as a professor there. (She’s the super smart one in the family) ;)

If you could share one message with the listeners and supporters of Northern Christian Radio, what would it be?

1 John 3:1 – “See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know Him.” God has lavished His love on us by sending His son, Jesus, to die for our sins…while we were still sinners!!! What better message is there to share than we are all invited to be children of God?

Also, I hope to get to meet you and hear your story someday very soon.

Family Info:

I grew up just north of Detroit as a part of a family of nine. My mom lives about 1.5 miles from where I grew up and I have 5 brothers and 1 sister, the majority of whom still live in southern Michigan. Their children and grandchildren are my heart. I am thrilled to be closer to my entire family now that I’m back in Michigan.