David, Chiriqui, Panama…[IAD Staff]
In a region where the Adventist message is difficult to enter, strides are being made to spread the gospel to the western region of Panama through The Voice of Prophecy radio program.
Last month in the San Felix community, a group of church leaders and members taped their sermons and songs for the radio program. The messages and music were taped in the native language of Ngobe, which represents 47% of the indigenous population of the country.
Victor Caballero, executive director of Super TNT 90.1 FM, which carries the program, explains that there are more than 325,000 people in the region comprised of various ethnic groups like Ngobe, Buble, Naso, Bri Bri, Kuna Yala, Embera and Wounan who lack basic comforts.
“It is amazing to see how the Adventist message is advancing [through this radio program] in this difficult-to-access region where basic services like running water, little electricity and extreme poverty reigns,” says Caballero. “In spite of this somber scene, there are happy men and women who love God and offer their lives and talents to fulfill the mission to ‘Go Preach’ the gospel.”
There are more than 7,300 Seventh-day Adventists among the indigenous population. Every year that number increases considerably thanks to the work of two pastors. One of them Pastor Benedicto Vega, who ministers to 36 churches and congregations, is a descendant of one of those indigenous people.
Caballero says that plans are underway to procure funds to produce more programs in other dialects to reach more natives who live in the south part Panama bordering Colombia.
