August 29, 2011 – Guatemala City, Guatemala…IAD Staff
In less than four months, the Seventh-day Adventists in Guatemala raised more than US $250,000 dollars towards the purchase of a new radio station that allows the gospel to reach nearly one million listeners in the southwest region of the country. The acquisition was part of the church’s five-year strategic plan to purchase two additional radio frequencies to cover more than half of the 14 million people in Guatemala, church leaders said.
“Thanks to the great effort of our members, we can now reach San Marcos with two radio repeaters that are able to link to our frequency,” said Pastor Guenther Garcia, president of the church in Guatemala, as he congratulated church leaders and members for the accomplishment.
Top local church leaders celebrated the success of “La Gran Recaudación 2011” or “The Great Fundraising of 2011” as well as the 33rd anniversary of Union Radio radio stations in Guatemala.
“We praise God for the 33 years that Union Radio has been able to set the platform that today the Adventist Communication system takes to expand its range with the eternal gospel to more than 900,000 people in the southwest region in Guatemala,” said Garcia.
According to Pastor Gustavo Menendez, communication director for the church in Guatemala, the church is now reaching more than five million people through the radio – roughly 35% of the country.
“This new frequency is a result of the unconditional sacrifice and support of our members, churches, pastors and administrators of our eight field offices in Guatemala,” said Menendez, who oversees the Adventist Communication system, which includes radio, television production, the internet and the social media in Guatemala.
“We are planning to expand the broadcast range in San Marcos to cover the southern coast of Guatemala and the state of Chiapas in Mexico, reaching more than 4 million people,” he added.
Regional leaders shared in their joy as more and more radio waves reach the nation.
“We are very happy to see the enthusiasm of each field of this great union to contribute and further expand the preaching of the gospel,” said Pastor Rudy Mendez, president of the Metropolitan region in Guatemala. “To know that thousands upon thousands of new people will be able to hear the three angel’s message, has brought a wonderful impact in the Metropolitan conference.”
“Union Radio has given me a lot of hope during the most difficult times in my life,” said Lucas Morales, a radio listener, who donated money to the project. “I have seen that music, messages, and teachings have helped me in my spiritual life since I tuned into the station 20 years ago.”
It’s having great dreams, according to Menendez, who said that with the success of the fundraising campaign, the church hopes to purchase another frequency by next year, reaching their goal in two years instead of five years as the strategic plan was previously set.
“We don’t have a lot of money, but this was about bringing unity of purpose, while dreaming the same dream as a church membership committed to preaching the gospel,” added Menendez.
Church leaders strongly believe in reaching the unreached population in the Central American country. Arrangements have been made for 2% tithing funds from each of the church fields to go towards the Adventist communication system in Guatemala.
For more information on the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Guatemala, visit http://uniondeguatemala.org/
Gustavo Menendez contributed to this report.
