Mark Burns, Great News Media President / General Manager
Mark Burns serves as President and General Manager of Great News Media. He oversees Great News Radio in the Champaign/Urbana area, The WLUJ Family of Stations in the Springfield area, PrimeLife Times and the various ministry opportunities that present themselves. He hosts Mark & Friends, weekdays at 7:32 am, re-aired at 7:32 pm on WLUJ and all 19 of our frequncies
When Mark isn't enjoying time with his lovely wife, Holly, and their daughter, Esther, he plays racquetball, enjoys reading, creating new radio projects, responding to listener mail, and walking nature trails. Mark can be reached at mark@greatnewsmedia.org
Joyce Mancke, WLUJ Station Manager
Joyce joined the radio ministry in 2015 as Office Manager and is now WLUJ's Station Manager. She brings with her many years of office work experience from serving as aBank Officer for 15 years to managing an Insurance Agency for 20 years. She has also served as Secretary, Treasurer and Sunday School teacher in the church she attended and started a "Kings Kids" Youth program for the children. Joyce organized and is director of a Nursing Home/Seniors Ministry that started in 2005 and currently holds "Praise and Worship" services in 18 homes across Illinois and in 8 different cities. She also leads a weekly "Women" Bible Study group.
"I am thrilled to be a part of WLUJ, Lifting Up Jesus. I love the Lord with all my heart, soul and mind and have found that His Grace is sufficient for every need, both small and great and His love is everlasting". Joyce and her husband, Verlin, live in the Springfield area. They have 3 daughters and 11 grandchildren and 8 great-grandchildren, all who faithfully serve the Lord. Joyce can be reached at joyce@wluj.org
Holly Burns, Director of Creative Services
As the Director of Creative Services, Holly is dedicated to serving at a moment's notice, adeptly managing various tasks with efficiency and enthusiasm. Her responsibilities range from addressing frequent spontaneous requests from the general manager to meticulously handling bookkeeping, data entry, PrimeLife Times deliveries, and providing assistance wherever needed.
Holly's passion extends beyond the professional realm; she is a hard worker and plays an integral role in facilitating many events, offering prayers, and encouragement to listeners along the way. Outside of work, Holly keeps busy tending to her vegetable and flower gardens and caring for her family pets, which include a guinea pig, chickens, and street cats. Above all, Holly cherishes her time with her husband Mark and their beloved son and daughter.
Dave Fitch, Director of Development
Dave Fitch is the married father of 9 children and grandfather of 13 grandchildren. He was born and raised in Quincy , IL and has lived in the Springfield area since he graduated from Illinois State University in 1980 with a degree in Marketing. He has spent 43 years in technology and telecommunications sales and just retired in early January 2024.
Dave is the author of the book titled: Why Is This Happening?! It answers questions about why all the crazy changes are happening in our culture, what the causes of those are, and what the common root cause of all of them is. He wrote and presented the first Men’s Retreat for Businessmen in Christ. Dave aspires in his retirement to serve and grow God’s kingdom. He believes that the Bible is God’s inerrant word and that the church needs revival to combat the rampant rebellion against God in our current culture. Dave can be reached at: dave@greatnewsmedia.org
Ani Lutchman, All-Purpose Helper
Ani is thrilled and honored to be launching her career with such a wonderful, God honoring ministry, learning the inner workings of radio as well as the office duties behind the broadcasting! She has years of administrative office experience and studied biology in college. Ani loves spending her free time soaking in the beautiful handiwork of the Good Lord out in nature, hiking, canoeing, traveling, spending time with her kitty & family dogs, reading, and family game nights!
She also has a passion for bringing the Good News into the lives of youth to help combat the societal pressures and agendas that are ever increasing & constantly being pushed within our generation and schools. Ani is Joyce’s, our station manager’s, granddaughter and they are loving this blessed opportunity of getting to serve and lift up Jesus together!
Donna Leland, WLUJ in the Morning
Donna is here to encourage you as the day begins on WLUJ. She is a homeschool veteran of four graduates, and her husband is a retired Chicago Police Officer.
Donna has served the Lord as an on-air contributor for Moody Radio in Chicago since 1988, and is now hosting WLUJ in the Morning at 6:30, 8:30 and 10:00 am, weekdays. Donna also assists with various radio projects, meet & greets and hosts the Thursday edition of Mark & Friends on all 19 of our frequncies.
Jim Miller, Project Manager
Jim Miller assists the radio ministry as a Project Manager. He puts his years of practical experience as an engineer, project manager, and homeowner to use helping Mark and the team solve problems with buildings, equipment, and groundskeeping. Jim loves to serve and use his gifts to futher the Lord's work.
Jim also serves on our radio board and assists as treasurer. He is married to his beloved wife Nancy, and they have two grown children and five grandchildren. When Jim is not attending to radio projects, helping to keep us on-the-air, he's practiing Hebrew or watching sermons by his favorite preachers. :-)
Paul Eastvold, WLUJ Office Assistant
After working over 41 years for the Illinois Department of Nuclear Safety and the Illinois Emergency Management Agency, Paul assists with various office responsibilities at WLUJ.
You may hear Paul's voice on the other end of the phone if you call the station on weekday mornings. Paul and his wife, Karilyn, have three sons and nine grandchildren. Paul serves as an elder and church treasurer at Springfield Bible Church. Paul can be reached at paul@wluj.org
Butch Stilwell, WLUJ Listener Engagement
Butch Stilwell has served in a part-time capacity at WLUJ since 2016, assisting with routine office duties, listener calls, donor relations, and you may hear him on the air too! He also hosts the WLUJ Monthly Prayer Meeting the first Tuesday of each month.
Butch is retired but keeps busy with gardening and riding his Harley! He and his wife, Nancy, have one son and a very big dog named Dottie! Butch can be reached at butch@wluj.org
Tim Nelson, WLUJ Announcer
Tim Nelson is a special voice heard on WLUJ and Great News Media. Tim's wide-ranging radio expertise covers almost 30 years in broadcasting. Tim can be heard during dedicated days, announceing underwriters, or sharing Holiday thoughts or special projects.
Tim is married to his beloved wife Beth, and they have two grown daughters.