Spanish Ministry

Three years ago Jose, a teacher in Paraguay, came to know the Lord. Eager to grow in faith, Jose began to listen to La Hora de la Reforma (The Hour of Reformation), a weekly Spanish radio program produced by Back to God Ministries International. Jose, who is married and the father of two children, needed something more to help him in his walk with the Lord. Then he learned about Cada Dia, a daily devotional also produced by Back to God Ministries. Cada Dia literally means, “Every Day.” Looking for resources he could use in his school, Jose recently attended a media training workshop led by Rev. Guillermo Serrano, leader of Back to God Ministries Spanish outreach, and host of the weekly radio program. Jose was excited to meet those who produce the radio program and monthly devotional guide. “You are helping me to better understand the Bible,” he told…[Read More]

As we’ve reported in the past, one of the benefits of the Media Workshops we’ve done in Latin America is the goodwill connection we make with TV and radio station personnel. That strategy is proving to be effective! The number of TV stations carrying Back to God Ministries International Spanish programs increased from 150 to 220 over the past year! The technology seminars we offer were a significant factor contributing to the increase. Spanish ministry leader Rev. Guillermo Serrano notes, “Testimonies and comments from the participants say so. But more importantly, we can report that because of workshops like these we are able to keep current radio and TV stations that broadcast our programs at no cost to us! We are also adding new stations that transmit for the first time a Reformed voice and content through the electronic waves.” (See Building Relationships in Latin America.) We currently offer two Spanish…[Read More]

In reaching millions of people through media ministry, we seldom get to meet our listeners face to face. But Rev. Guillermo Serrano, Spanish ministry leader for Back to God Ministries International, had a “chance” encounter on the street with someone who recognized him as the host of our Spanish television program in Latin America. Here’s Rev. Serrano’s account of that meeting: I was walking down one of the main boulevards in Santiago, Chile, when Pedro, a well-dressed middle aged man carrying a brief case, stopped me and told me he always watched our TV program. “Good evening, Rev. Serrano,” Pedro told me. “I am a follower of your TV program.” I was a bit surprised that he recognized me. So my natural question was, “Why?”  “I watch La Vida Ahora almost every day whenever I have the opportunity,” Pedro stated. “It’s a good program. It provides biblical answers to the…[Read More]

Back to God Ministries International Spanish leader Rev. Guillermo Serrano and his team of trainers and instructors were once again invited to conduct Technical Workshops at the annual COICOM Conference from September 7-11, 2010 in the Dominican Republic. The response was very encouraging! Christian brothers and sisters from all over Latin America gathered for the 5 day conference, whose purpose is to promote excellence and integrity in Christian Hispanic media communications. Starting at 8:00 AM every day an average of 70 people attended BTGMI seminars on radio and television production and how to use the Internet for outreach ministry. The classes provided participants with instruction and updates on the most recent technologies. “Our workshops were a huge success,” noted Nancy Ayala, BTGMI Spanish ministry assistant who handled all the logistics of the workshop and contacts with the attendees.  “We never expected so many participants at 8 in the morning!” Our…[Read More]

How would you feel if your children only had access to dubbed translations of foreign videos? That was the main option for many children in Latin America until Back to God Ministries International began producing El Club del Arca, a culturally authentic, Spanish-language children’s puppet series. Through “muppet-like” characters who experience many adventures, El Club del Arca (The Ark Clubhouse) introduces children to biblical values and to Jesus! Originally produced in Brazil by Back to God Ministries International’s Portuguese media team, the DVD series was translated into Spanish, reaching a potential of 500,000 children throughout Latin America every week. “The program is a hit on Saturday mornings in Central America,” reports Rev. Guillermo Serrano, Spanish ministry leader. While children love the music, the stories, and the puppets, “parents have sent us letters telling us they appreciate the programming with an authentic cultural setting.” Maria, a second-grade teacher, informed Rev. Serrano:…[Read More]

On every street in the small town of Linares, Chile the effects of the February 27, 2010 earthquake are still evident. Buildings are seriously damaged or completely destroyed.  Most of the tile roofs of the older buildings are gone. There remains enough rubble in the street to keep some roads completely closed. The earthquake and tsunami were on the minds of all those who attended a previously scheduled media training workshop sponsored by Back to God Ministries International from April 19-21. In spite of some initial logistics difficulties, Rev. Guillermo Serrano, Spanish ministry leader for BTGMI, was able to conduct the workshops in the local government offices of Linares, 200 miles south of Santiago.  The governor and several other official dignitaries attended the opening events of the workshops, drawing a great deal of local media coverage from television, radio, and newspapers. Rev. Serrano developed the media workshops in 2004 as…[Read More]