Sandoval family

We are thankful with the Lord for the blessing and the responsibility that has He has given us to serve Him through Spanish World Ministries. We praise Him because our radio programs are the heart of this ministry. The missionaries are the arteries that keep the flow of the message reaching the ears, minds, and hearts of millions.  The Lord took us from 1,442 stations at the end of 2010 to 1,575 as of December 2011.  We are not just looking for numbers, but for what they mean in terms of ministry. Each new station transmitting represents hundreds or even thousands of additional men and women who at one time or another will hear the message.  The truth of Romans 10:17 is what counts, and we are so thankful each donor that is having such an important part in making it possible for us to put that truth into practice. Certainly this year represents a great challenge for our ministry in terms of fulfilling our vision in reaching more people with the Gospel.

Cornelius & Aida Rivera

Although we have now passed the usual age for retirement, as long as the Lord gives us the physical and mental capacity to have a part in this spiritual ministry, we plan to persevere in it.  We are confident that when the time comes to either restrict or quit our mission responsibilities, the Lord will clearly let us know.  Thus we pray that He we will also give us the necessary spiritual perception and the proper mindset to accept what He indicates.  Until then, we shall “press on toward the goal” that He has for us in His service.

Antonio and Julia visiting a radio station

Six years ago the radio programs were broadcasted in 33 stations. We praise the Lord because in spite of the challenges that represent the proclamation of the Gospel in Venezuela, through 79 radio stations the message of hope is transmitted all over this country. In spite of some difficult physical issues that have affected their health, the Zorrillas have traveled through different regions of the country contacting new radio stations. The Lord has rewarded their efforts as 12 radio stationsaccepted to air the programs. Our prayer is that through each transmission, people in Venezuela are not only hearing about the real savior, but are also opening their hearts to Christ.

Eduardo Peirano sharing about the radio ministry in a church in Montevideo

The churches sometimes do not have the resources to sponsor the programs, but it is interesting to see how the Lord opens opportunities in stations as believers get to know about our ministry. In December, Eduardo was invited to share for a few minutes about our radio programs in a church in Montevideo. As a result of his presentation, a couple of believers that were visiting from the town of Rivera asked for some samples to take to a local radio station. Another lady has been praying for an opportunity to share the Gospel in a radio station in her neighborhood, but she does not have any way to produce programs. As she heard about the purpose of our programs, and that they are provided for free, she felt that the Lord was answering to her desire to have the Gospel broadcast through the local station.

René sharing about Spanish World radio programs in a church

It is a great privilege to have godly couples, such as the Hurtados representing our ministry in Latin America. Besides the constant contacts with radio stations, Rene is always searching for opportunities to introduce our ministry in churches. Thanks to his efforts, several churches that have radio ministries, have found in our programs, an important source of material with sound doctrine to use in their broadcast.

Andres Carrasco (Chile), Pedro & Kitty Salces (Bolivia), Roberto Acuña (Paraguay) at COICOM 2011

In November Roberto and our missionaries from Chile and Bolivia attended COICOM, the largest gathering of Christian leaders from different countries of Latin America. This year this event took place in Asuncion. As a result of their efforts they were able to establish contact with more than 60 people related with Christian radio and secular radio stations, besides introducing our programs to pastors and leaders of different denominations.

Pastors meeting in Mexico City where David introduced our radio programs

But, David is seeking other possibilities to introduce the programs in these stations. He is also establishing contacts with pastors in order to encourage them have their churches not only sponsoring the programs, but also making the follow up with the radio listeners. In December he was able to introduce our ministry to 20 Baptist pastors. As a result of his presentation the organizers of this event invited him to keep attending the monthly meetings. Our prayer and desire is that God would reverse the trend of fruitless efforts in Mexico in regards to proclamation of the Gospel through radio

Aland sharing about our radio ministry in a church in San Luis Potosi

This is where we expect the local churches to step in and partner with us:  we provide a quality broadcast as a tool for their local outreach, and they invest in evangelism by sponsoring the program; identify themselves as sponsors and provide a phone or address so that they might do the follow up.  It has worked in other countries, but there were no takers in Mexico in 2011. In addition, plans to travel to other areas had to be canceled because of the extreme violence and danger on the roads.

Ernesto and Melvin Zelaya praying for Nixon who will be in charge of the church at El Renuevo

Just as in the case with his brother Melvin, Ernesto has also pastoral duties to fulfill at the congregations of El Renuevo, Tegucigalpita and Casitas. For three years, every week he has been traveling to the church at El Renuevo. This congregation has seen a tremendous increase in the number of believers that attend every weekend. Around 40 to people are growing in the knowledge of the Lord and Ernesto has been greatly used by the Lord. Beginning 2012, Nixon (one of the men that have been trained by Melvin) will be responsible for this congregation. Nevertheless Ernesto will continue overseeing this church.

Melvin training Nixon, Harold and Ernesto

After studying for two years in a seminary in Honduras, this past December Melvin graduated with high honors. He is very dedicated servant and an effective leader in a ministry that is more varied than our direct involvement in other countries. Besides the radio ministry, right now Melvin is overseeing the work in four congregations, besides the church that he is pastoring in Tegucigalpa. As a result of these opportunities of ministry, Melvin has raised a group of men who will assist him in the pastoral duties. Nixon is a young man who received the Lord under Melvin’s ministry and whom he has also disciple. Now he is preaching in two rural congregations. Nixon, Harold (Melvin’s son) and Ernesto Melvin’s brother) among other five men are taking part in this training for leaders.

We praise the Lord as the distribution of our radio programs increased to 139 radio stations in 2011. By His grace 17 stations were added to our data base in Honduras. Melvin’s commitment to the expansion of the Gospel through radio leads him to search for more outlets. In December he traveled to three different regions and established contact with three new stations and supply programs to a station that already transmits them.