No. 11, May 15, 2003

ATN NewsNotes

Editor: Kandus Thorp, Assistant to the Director, Adventist Television Network

Two Golden Keys Open New Media Centre in Bolivia

A joyous group celebrated the official grand opening of the new Bolivian Union Communication Centre in Cochabamba, Bolivia, April 28, 2003. After the ribbon cutting for this new Adventist media centre, Pr Ruy Nagel, President of the South American Division, and Dr Milton Afonso, Brazilian businessman, representing the cooperation between laity and leadership, accepted two large golden keys from Pr Eric Monnier, President of the Bolivia Union Mission.

In attendance were guests from division church headquarters and the media centre in Brazil. During the inauguration, the new media team shared an inspiring multi-media presentation showcasing the stages of construction--from an empty lot to an impressive building high up in the clear mountain air of Cochabamba.

Pr Brad Thorp, Director of Adventist Television Network [ATN], offered a message of welcome as the Bolivian Union Communication Centre joins the ranks of nearly 30 professional media centres owned and operated by the church worldwide. “The Bolivia Union is demonstrating unusual faith and vision in developing this media centre. They are moving to the forefront of communication for Bolivia, and in this bold and imaginative step of faith are utilizing the very best in communication technology and practice to advance the Gospel. ATN is pleased to welcome them and looks forward to excellent cooperation as the programmes they produce will be used by ATN for Spanish-speaking audiences in North, Inter and South America.”

On the importance of media ministry, Pr Williams Costa, Jr, Director of ATN-Latin America, said, “By the end of 2004, every union in the South AmericanDivision will have a media centre. I am personally convicted about the evangelistic results of satellite evangelism. Over the past years I’ve seen it reach thousands of people. There is power in reaching people in many locations simultaneously. Satellite evangelism and TV open new ways of sharing the gospel in hard to reach places. Emails, faxes, and phone calls come from unexpected areas. The Holy Spirit uses this technology for communicating the love of Jesus and message of the Bible. We praise the Lord for this new media centre in Bolivia.”

Construction for the new 800-square-meter building began in September 2002. Eight months later the three-story building was ready to dedicate. One floor is home to Nuevo Tiempo radio; one floor houses the 15m x 10m TV studio; the third floor is offices. Satellite dishes on the roof link this media centre to ATN-Latin America, transmitting and receiving both radio and TV programs. Twelve dynamic and talented Seventh-day Adventist young people, all with communication degrees, form the production team at the Bolivian Union Communication Centre.

Pr Flávio Ferraz, Media Centre Director, observes, “The reason for the media centre was to provide programming for many of the open TV channels broadcasting in Bolivia. One-minute, 15-minute and 30-minute slots were available if we could provide programming. The new TV studio creates new family, health, and children’s programs, interviews, and ‘Messages of Hope’ 30-minute Bible programs.” In addition to Bolivia, these Spanish TV programs will be used on ATN-Latin America and on the new ATN Spanish/French channel for North and Inter-America.

Over the years the radio ministry in Bolivia has grown strong. A total of 43,800 hours of radio programming in Spanish have been produced, with 400 new programmes added each month. “You can hear our station played all over the country, in banks, 5-star hotels, hospitals, businesses and offices. The same is true in Peru and Chile as they retransmit Nuevo Tiempo programmes. Our goal is evangelism. We pray the radio and TV programmes will open doors and lead people to the Adventist church. Because of the strong radio work, Adventism is respected. We hope this positive presence will increase with the addition of TV programming,” says Pr Ferraz.

The testimony of Sandra Catarina, known by viewers as Taya, the popular host/singer of a TV Karaoke dance show widely viewed in Bolivia, illustrates why ATN exists. Two years ago Taya was living a secular lifestyle. Then she began studying the Bible with an Adventist friend.

After several months, Taya attended the downlink of a satellite series by Pr Alejandro Bullon. Transfixed by the Bible message, on the opening Sabbath she decided to be baptized, going to the stadium to meet Pr Bullon. Later that night she was back at the TV station to host her program. Still under contract, she struggled to know what to do. Switching on the TV in his hotel room that night, Pr Bullon saw her on stage, dancing and hosting her popular show. He changed the channel, sad that her conversion might not be genuine. What he didn’t know until later was that Taya never finished that show. In front of a live TV audience, conviction struck her. She put down her mike, walked off the set and resigned her position. The following Sabbath, Taya was among the over 10,000 prepared for baptism. Now she is employed at the Bolivian Union Communication Centre.

The story of the Bolivian Union Communication Centre is a thrilling example of media initiatives around the world as the Adventist church expands its capabilities for sharing the gospel with countless television viewers!