The radio ministry in Tacna began in embryo form in 2004 when I had the privilege of travelling, with a Christian lawyer friend, to visit the HCJB (Heralding Christ Jesus’ Blessings or ‘Hoy Cristo Jesus Bendice’) radio complex in Quito, Ecuador. The Lord provided for that trip, as He always does when He leads, and then, in time, also provided the current Baptist Missions radio station building in Tacna - with satellite links to HCJB broadcasts from Quito; state-of-the-art equipment; a radio licence; and a Peruvian team! The name of the radio station is El Sembrador – The Sower!
In the year 2000, the Baptist Missions strategy of establishing a Bible College in Tacna had already taken on a new shape. BM already ran Bible Institutes in Puno and in Moquegua, with local short courses in Tacna taught by available missionaries over the years. As attendance grew in the newly formed Seminary in Tacna, an infrastructure developed (buildings, students, teachers and administration) to support this and the Lord led us to believe Him for more. It was with the idea of a possible BM radio station in mind, in Tacna, that a weekly ‘Bible Hour’ commenced in the newly completed Baptist Seminary auditorium, which had made possible through the generosity of Irish Baptists and with the Lord’s blessing.
Now, each Monday evening of the teaching semester, classes come to a standstill while a simple Christian service (8.15-9.15pm) is held. This ‘Bible Hour’ is designed to include worship, Scripture reading, prayer and systematic Bible teaching and is recorded for broadcast on ‘El Sembrador’ radio. Increased attendance has caused great excitement and it is a joy to worship the Lord and witness attendance by both believers and those who do not yet profess faith in Christ.
The route towards legal status, and the first broadcast in April 2007, was long and arduous, but once achieved, for those of us involved (missionaries and Peruvians), it was a time of great rejoicing in the Lord. ‘El Sembrador’ coverage includes Tacna and the surrounding villages and broadcasts to thousands on a 24/7 basis. The goal is to continue to produce good Bible-based programmes (either downloaded by satellite, or supplied by as many as twenty evangelical ministries); the ‘Bible Hour’ recordings; good music: and interactive local programmes produced by the radio team of committed Peruvian Christians. A particularly successful initiative has been to link into local schools and this has led to phenomenal interest and more youth-oriented broadcasts.
There is no doubt that listeners have come to faith in Christ and many testify to growing in their commitment to Him, as they listen in to productions of high professional, cultural and Biblical quality. The Peruvian team is hard working and the radio equipment is well used, although sometimes above and beyond, its limits, with wear and tear taking its toll. ‘El Sembrador’ is as much a work of faith today as when it began and urgently needs prayer support if it is to continue as an ongoing, and important, ministry for Baptist Missions.
Article by Ken Scott (Baptist Missions/Irish Baptist College)
To read more about the work of Radio 'El Sembrador' click here