In Inter-America, Church-Operated Radio Stations To Become Part of Hope Radio Network

Abel Márquez, communication director for the church in Inter-America, speaks to dozens of communication directors and radio personnel during one of two Hope Radio Advisories on integration and collaboration among Adventist radio stations across the Inter-American Division territory. The event drew dozens from Guatemala, El Salvador, Colombia, and the Dominican Republic to Guatemala City, Guatemala, Sep. 18-19, 2018. Photo by Gustavo Menéndez/IAD

September 25, 2018 | Miami, Florida, United States | Libna Stevens/IAD

Bringing about unity among the more than 80 radio stations run by the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Inter-America is what church leaders have been working toward recently. During one session last week, church leaders, communication directors and radio staff from across Guatemala and other parts of Inter-America met to discuss ways for greater integration and collaboration to better support the mission of the church.

“We must not continue working in isolation, thinking that we can enrich this radio station or that but focus shedding more light on the church and its mission,” said Abel Márquez, communication director for the church in Inter-America and main organizer of the event. “It is important that we exchange ideas, build relationships, share efforts, and support each other as we work together in the process of helping transform the lives of listeners so they can become disciples of Christ.”

The meetings, which brought together key personnel from radios stations in Guatemala, El Salvador, Colombia and the Dominican Republic, as well as Hope Channel coordinators in Guatemala City, Sep. 18-19, 2018, was the first of two advisory sessions this year aimed at laying the foundation to establish the Hope Radio Inter-America network.

Deivy Vega, communication director for South Colombia reports on the radio ministries in Palmira. Photo by Abel Márquez/IAD

Much like the Hope Channel Inter-America network, with its three television channels in English, Spanish in French, in association with its 18 media centers, the plan is to bring the more than 80 radio stations together, too, explained Márquez.

Leaders discussed branding guidelines, accreditation of radio stations, identified programming that meets requirements, and examined convergence efforts to use other digitized media to strengthen an online presence with social media, live music, video productions and more.

“It’s about taking the analog faith to the whole world using all possible digital formats, and not just about presence,” said Márquez.

The plan of working together in an established network of collaboration, integration, creativity, quality, relationships, and evangelism, is essential for the survival of radio ministries across Inter-America, emphasized Márquez. “This plan of bringing Adventist radios stations closer together follows Inter-America’s media strategic plan as well because our goal goes with the global concept of strengthening the church and its mission.”

Part of the group of radio staff that met during the Hope Radio Advisory recently. Photo by Abel Márquez/IAD

Dozens of leaders and radio staff from Guatemala highlighted the radio ministry that covers nearly 80 percent of the country with its two church operated stations: Union Radio, the first radio station to be established in Inter-America over 40 years ago, and Orion Stereo, which has been airing for over 19 years. Others representing El Salvador’s Adventist radio stations attended the advisory sessions.

Church leaders and communication staff will continue discussing and setting specific goals during an upcoming Hope Radio Advisory in the coming months.

To learn more about the Seventh-day Adventist Church an its initiatives, events and resources, visit us at interamerica.org