September 4, 2008 – Montemorelos, Mexico…[Abel Marquez/IAD Staff]
More than 60 delegates from the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Inter-America and South America gathered to participate in a radio symposium sponsored by the church's international radio ministry Adventist World Radio (AWR). The symposium, the first of its kind, took place Aug. 27-31 on the campus of Montemorelos University in Mexico.
“Today we are making history,” said Pastor Leon B. Wellington, communication director for the church in Inter-America, during the opening night as he emphasized the important role that radio plays in evangelism. “This gathering is very important as it offers the opportunity to collaborate together in spreading the gospel through the radio ministry.”
The five-day symposium allowed networking among radio technicians, programers, and church leaders who are united in better fulfilling the mission of the church through radio ministries.
Radio managers and technicians were refreshed on techniques and operational skills, as well as the use of creative tools in operating radio stations, organizers said. The symposium also highlighted the strategies the church uses in the 10/40 window with the use of satellite, shortwave, AM, FM and internet technologies.
Seminar presenters included Pastor Benjamin Schoun, AWR president, Dowell Chow, AWR vice president of finance, and Greg Scott, AWR's senior vice president.
The largest group included 30 delegates from the church in Venezuela-Antilles where there are more than 40 radio stations. Four-year-old Mariana Carreno was among the group. She leads a children's radio program in Venezuela.
Among the issues discussed was the possibility of creating the Adventist Radio Consortium (ARC), a volunteer network established by AWR as a means of linking personnel involved in radio production. Also discussed were the policies required to incorporate Adventist radio stations into the AWR worldwide network.
Established in 1971, AWR presently broadcasts thousands of hours of programming every day in 70 languages. People around the world tune in to AM/FM and shortwave radio, internet podcasts, and satellite transmitters. For more information on AWR and its programs, visit www.awr.org
