Quechua Broadcasters - Update

From SPARK

Brief Summary

II Conference of Quechua Christian Quechua Broadcasters

Introduction

Fifty-seven Quechua leaders met outside of Lima on October 7, 2004. This was for the second Conference of Quechua Christian Broadcasters. The organization had its birth back in 1999. The Conference was another one of those special events that only God can pull off. These men and women came from different Christian backgrounds, different dialects of Quechua and from ten different regions or states in Peru. Regardless of these differences, their common goal was to reach their people with the gospel message, each in their own language.

Key Factors

What Was Done

Training builds self esteem

According to Samuel Saccsara, the President, 85% of those attending had received the Radio Programs training and were now on the air with their own programs in Quechua promoting the Gospel message and the use of the translated Scriptures. According to Marty Lange’s report, that number was actually somewhere between 70 – 80%. Most of the 15 Quechua dialects from Peru were represented, along with a representative from Bolivia and two from HCJB in Ecuador. All were amazed to see so many Quechua speakers involved in radio. Some shared of God’s provision to fund their programs. Others shared what kind of programs they were presenting and how their listeners’ lives are being changed. There were testimonies as to how proud they were to be Quechua speakers in spite of the fact that they were from the lower prestige areas of Quechua. The conference proved to be a great esteem-builder for them.

Testimonies encourage Evangelization

Everyone enjoyed hearing the testimonies of how they are using the radio to evangelize and disciple Quechuas in Quechua. Also about getting feedback from their audiences and making changes in their programs. One couple was doing a program targeting Quechua children, with great success. By the end of the conference, it was clear that everyone wanted to have other meetings, so they appointed coordinators from each region to promote training and the production of radio programs in their dialect of Quechua.

Results

It is clear that the Quechuas value this type of gathering. Most live and work in remote parts of the country isolated from their counterparts, so it is good for them to get together, share experiences and define goals and purposes. To me, the major value of this gathering is seeing the body of Christ working together, in spite of their diversity and background. When they met the first time in 1999, they unanimously decided never to use the Lord’s time and money to criticize other believers or denominations over the radio. Only the Spirit of God could produce that kind of exciting unity.

Helpful Information from the Author

By: Al Shannon

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