Seventh-day Adventist communicators from the South American Division led evangelistic campaigns in 60 churches across metropolitan Bucaramanga as part of a historic missionary exchange with the Inter-American Division. [Photo: UCN Communications]
Ten-day AWR exchange combines media training with campaigns in 60 churches, resulting in 362 baptisms in Bucaramanca.

August 6, 2026 | Bucaramanga, Colombia | By Cristin Serrano and Inter-American Division News Staff

For the first time, Seventh-day Adventist communicators from the South American Division traveled to the Inter-American Division for a missionary exchange that moved them from broadcast studios to pulpits across Bucaramanga, Colombia.

During the 10-day initiative, participants received specialized communication training each morning and preached in 60 churches throughout the Bucaramanga metropolitan area each evening. The campaigns resulted in 362 baptisms, while hundreds of others continue studying the Bible.

Participants and organizers pose for a group photo during the sixth international communication and evangelism gathering, held for the first time in Bucaramanga, Colombia. [Photo: UCN Communications]
The project, led by Adventist World Radio (AWR) in partnership with Nuevo Tiempo and the Inter-American Division, brought together radio hosts, producers, station directors, presenters, and other media professionals from eight South American countries.

Communication in Service of Mission

The exchange was the sixth edition of AWR’s School of Evangelism, which combines professional media training with practical outreach. This year marked the program’s first exchange between the Inter-American and South American divisions.

“AWR has two objectives: to train participants in communication and evangelism and to support the evangelistic work of the field hosting the event,” said Pastor Eduardo Canales, AWR director for North America, Inter-America, and South America.

Pastor Eduardo Canales, Adventist World Radio director for North America, Inter-America, and South America, leads a training session on communication and evangelism during the international gathering in Bucaramanga, Colombia. [Photo: UCN Communications]
The program goes beyond technical instruction by preparing communication professionals to preach and serve in local churches. Canales said the model was created six years ago to help media teams personally experience the mission they regularly promote through radio, television, and digital platforms.

“When you take a radio host out of the studio and into the mission field, that person’s life is transformed,” Canales said. “Afterward, they communicate with greater authority because they have experienced evangelism themselves.”

In March, communicators from Inter-America participated in a similar program in Ecuador. The Bucaramanga session completed the exchange by bringing South American communicators to Colombia to train and serve alongside local congregations.

Pastor Ray Allen leads one of the training sessions with the assistance of an interpreter during the international gathering of Adventist communicators in Bucaramanga, Colombia. [Photo: UCN Communications]
Each morning, participants attended sessions on radio production, digital communication, emerging media trends, and evangelism. Miqueas Fortunato, distribution director and radio coordinator for the Hope Channel Inter-America, said today’s challenge is to build a communication ecosystem that extends beyond traditional broadcasting.

“We need to produce relevant content for the platforms where people are today without losing the purpose of leading them to Christ,” Fortunato said.

That approach calls for Adventist media ministries to develop content for radio, social media, podcasts, and other digital channels, particularly to reach people who may never enter a church building. Beyond strengthening technical skills, the training encouraged participants to return home ready to implement more relevant and effective approaches to sharing the gospel.

Representatives of Nuevo Tiempo Brazil participate in the closing ceremony of the international gathering, which strengthened collaboration between the Inter-American and South American divisions. [Photo: UCN Communications]
From the Microphone to the Pulpit

Each evening, the training moved into local congregations as participants led evangelistic campaigns in Bucaramanga and surrounding municipalities. For many, it was their first experience presenting a complete sermon series.

Sebastián Anzuátegui, a communicator with Nuevo Tiempo Brazil, said the experience deepened his spiritual life and changed how he viewed media ministry.

“When we return to our media organizations, we better understand people’s needs and can produce content that responds to those realities,” Anzuátegui said. “This experience transforms the way we communicate.”

Pastor Gonzalo Cardona, president of the North Colombian Union, delivers the devotional message during a morning session of the international gathering of Adventist communicators. [Photo: UCN Communications]
Tomás Parra, director of the South American Division’s radio network, said direct contact with listeners gives media ministry a human face.

“The microphone takes on a face,” Parra said. “They remember the people they met, the decisions they witnessed, and the needs they heard. That changes the way they communicate the message of hope.”

Strengthening the Host Church

The exchange also gave the North Colombian Union an opportunity to learn from communication and evangelism initiatives developed in other countries.

Participants respond to an appeal for missionary commitment and decisions for Christ during the closing program of the international gathering, which emphasized integrating communication with evangelism. [Photo: UCN Communications]
Pastor Gonzalo Cardona, president of the North Colombia Union, said the experiences shared by visiting communicators offered practical ideas for strengthening radio and social media evangelism in Colombia.

“We heard about very interesting initiatives that we can also implement to reach those who do not yet know the Lord,” Cardona said.

He also thanked Adventist communicators for ministering to audiences they may never meet. People facing family, financial, or health difficulties often find hope through messages delivered by radio and digital media, he said.

The campaigns also mobilized congregations across the East Colombian Conference and brought spiritual renewal to the region, according to local leaders.

A new believer is baptized following the evangelistic campaigns held during the international gathering in Bucaramanga, Colombia. [Photo: UCN Communications]
“There was an awakening and revival among our members,” said Pastor Jesús Rueda Díaz, the conference’s evangelism and communication director. “The Holy Spirit worked powerfully, and the church’s spiritual preparation was fundamental to the results.”

Among those baptized was a young man who chose to keep the Sabbath despite knowing that the decision would cost him his job. After his baptism, a relative living in the United States offered to help him begin a new stage of employment, an experience that strengthened the faith of the local congregation.

Church member Orlando López Parra said the meetings renewed his commitment to personal Bible study. “These presentations motivated me to go deeper into the Word of God and strengthen my communion with the Lord,” he said.

The international gathering strengthened collaboration among Adventist World Radio, Nuevo Tiempo, and the Inter-American Division in developing communication initiatives that support the church’s mission. [Photo: UCN Communications]
Expanding the Model

AWR plans to hold nine similar programs during the coming year, including sessions in El Salvador, South America, Africa, and Eastern Europe.

Canales said the goal is to continue developing communicators who combine professional excellence with a strong commitment to mission while strengthening collaboration among the church’s world divisions.

“God did not call us simply to be church members, but to be disciples,” Canales said. “Become involved in the mission.”

Participants were expected to return to their respective countries and apply the professional training and firsthand evangelistic experience gained in Bucaramanga. Canales said the goal is for them to strengthen their media ministries while remaining actively involved in the church’s evangelistic work.