Open Line to Her Heart

How Onni Lynne came across a Moody Radio program at just the right time in her life—and has grown in Christ ever since

by missing the author  /  July 25, 2025

“I was named after my grandmother,” Onni Lynne Bernardini says. “Her name was Ione (eye-OWN), and she always hoped that one of her grandchildren would be named after her. They called her Onni (OH-nee), for short, so my mother named me Onni Lynne.”

As a child, Onni Lynne loved going to church. Though her parents were not regular attenders, she and her two sisters were. It wasn’t unusual for Onni Lynne to be at church by herself from time to time.

“I would ride my bike to church. I just wanted to be there,” she says. “I had a great aunt and a grandmother on the other side of the family who would always go. So I would find them and sit with them or sit by myself. But I had no idea what I was listening to.”

In her small town of Cape May Court House, New Jersey, there was a coffee house that occasionally hosted teen nights. “A lot of my friends would go,” Onni Lynne says. “It was like our little hangout, and it was safe.”

One night, some entertainers finished their song set by giving an invitation. “They started to talk about Jesus. I was so intrigued. And they said, ‘If anyone would like to come up and accept Jesus as your Savior, come on up.’” Twelve-year-old Onni Lynne went forward.

On the road with Moody Radio

Over the years, Onni Lynne married, moved a few times, had two sons, divorced, and later relocated to Florida. Wherever she was, she tried to maintain a connection to a local church, but she wasn’t always able to.

About eight years ago, while Onni was making the 40-minute drive to her night shift job, she turned on the radio and found Moody Radio Florida. She began listening regularly.

At the time, Onni Lynne was in a relationship that she knew wasn’t healthy. One Tuesday night on her drive back home, she began having a conversation with herself. “I was saying to myself, ‘On Thursday, I’m going to end this (relationship) situation.’”

A few moments later, the speaker on Moody Radio said something that she’ll never forget. “He literally said, ‘If you are in a situation right now that you shouldn't be in, get out of it. Not tomorrow, not Thursday—today!” She went home and broke off the relationship.

‘I was amazed’

When Onni Lynne’s job shift changed from overnights to days, she discovered the call-in program Open Line featuring Dr. Michael Rydelnik.

“I was amazed. I loved Dr. Rydelnik’s voice and the way he spoke to everybody. He never made anybody feel funny or embarrassed about the questions they were asking. He just explained it so well and so clearly that I couldn't get enough. I started to research the Bible on my own. Then I wanted to find a church because he was emphasizing worshiping together.”

Onni Lynne began attending a church nearby, took the membership classes, and was later baptized.

Tricia McMillan, senior producer for Chris Fabry Live and Open Line, says Onni Lynne isn’t alone in her love for Michael Rydelnik’s demeanor and wisdom.

“Many listeners say that unanswered questions they have are addressed and answered by listening to Open Line,” Tricia says. ““Sometimes it's a fresh way something is stated. Sometimes Dr. Rydelnik answers questions listeners didn't realize they had until they were asked by someone else. He's able to ‘zoom out’ when needed to correct basic misconceptions we may have and address those with biblical truth, then ‘zoom in’ and dive deep when needed.”

Meeting Michael in person

From time to time, the Open Line crew travels to different markets to present the show live and to meet listeners in person.

“There is an energy at live events that you don't often get on the normal phone-in programs because everyone can see that Michael Rydelnik is a real person,” Tricia says. “You see him leafing through his Bible to look up a verse or answer, and you see his smile when he's joking. 

“When there is an audience, Michael gets immediate feedback when something is funny, or he can see from the look on the face of the person who asked the question that they don't understand or that the answer clicks for them. There's a unique way of connecting at a live event that allows both Michael and listeners a chance to know they've been heard and seen.”

A couple of years ago, Onni Lynne heard that Michael and his wife, Eva, a frequent guest on the program, would be doing a live Open Line show in Boca Raton, Florida. She sprang into action. “It was really difficult to get time off where I work, but I said, ‘I am going to that show!’

“I'm terrible with technical stuff. I could not figure out how to get tickets. So I messaged Open Line, and Dr. Rydelnik actually wrote back! He said, ‘Don't worry about it. Just show up.’”

When Onni Lynne showed up for the live event, her heart sank. “They said, ‘I'm sorry, but we don't have you on the list.’ But all of a sudden there was a man behind me, and he said, ‘This is my friend Onni, and she’s coming in.’” Of course, the man was Michael Rydelnik.

She loved attending the live show and meeting Michael, Eva, and Tricia. Last year, she attended another live Open Line and was even asked to record a short interview to encourage others to listen, something she thought she would never have the courage to do. “My heart was beating a mile a minute, but I did it!”

‘It can honestly change your life’

Onni Lynne is also an Open Line Kitchen Table financial supporter of the program.

“Michael will refer to our Bible study time each Saturday as ‘gathering around the radio kitchen table’ because when he and his wife, Eva, led Bible studies at their home, they would study together at the kitchen table,” Tricia says. “A Kitchen Table partner is a person who supports Open Line monthly for a gift of any amount.

“Recently I've heard from several new Kitchen Table partners who said, ‘I'm learning and studying the Bible each week. I want to make sure I can continue to do that and make sure others have the opportunity to study with us.’ They've been impacted in their own spiritual walk, and they want to give to help keep it going.”

Onni Lynne often tells people about Open Line and about Moody Radio. “It's just an amazing feeling, and they answer so many questions that you might have. It can honestly change your life, and you don't understand that until you really start listening and open your heart.”