by Tom Pace

The inspiration for the BIMI television and radio ministries in Peru came from one of the first believers in the little town of Jauja, 11,000 feet above sea level in the Andes Mountains. Jesús had studied for eight years for the Dominican priesthood before coming to know Christ. He was always interested and talented in communications, so not long after he became a Christian he talked me into starting a radio ministry. We set up a small studio in the church in the 1970's. Jesús and friends "borrowed" the public utility poles (in the middle of the night) and strung cables to the two local radio stations, about three blocks from the church. We bought the 7:00 to 7:30 p.m. time slot on both stations every day, so people either listened to us or turned their radios off. Many listened and were saved.

In 1980, this same Jesús, now a pastor, saw that the cities of the Andes all had government owned TV stations and even the country people were buying TV sets. The only thing lacking was programming. We were able to get in on the ground floor and buy prime time for next to nothing. We gathered up some basic equipment and began to produce television programs. Most of our family, as well as our dog, showed up at one time or another on these programs. Pastor Jesús won a 16-year-old boy to Christ, and before we knew it Ruben understood the equipment better than we did and was helping produce the programs that were reaching into thousands of Andean homes. Ruben moved to Lima with us in 1985 and went on to do an effective TV series that was shown in all of Peru, as well as in other countries. He continues as a professional producer. Recently, a lawyer in our church became a board member of one of the TV networks and has started airing a new evangelistic series done by Ruben.

In 1988, my friend and fellow worker, Jesús, once again put a bug in my ear about a group of Christian businessmen in Indianapolis who were building low power FM radio stations for use in remote areas. This was the beginning of a partnership that eventually allowed us to build ten radio stations in the Andes Mountains and Amazon jungle. International Christian Broadcasters provided the equipment for these stations that are owned, licensed, and operated by the local churches. Quality programming was always a problem until we met the good people at Bible Broadcasting Network (BBN) in Charlotte. They provided 500 watt FM transmitters as well as the satellite downlinks for their 24 hour Spanish broadcasting.

Three of these stations are in BIMI planted churches in Jauja, Tarma, and Chosica. The others are operated by other Bible-believing groups. All are faithfully preaching the Gospel and are seeing families saved and Christians growing in the Lord.

We are no longer directly involved with the radio and TV ministries but certainly have good memories of climbing towers, tuning transmitters, camera work and editing, as well as the joy of knowing that God's Word always produces eternal fruit.

"I have found that there are three stages in every great work of God: first, it is impossible, then it is difficult, then it is done."
James Hudson Taylor

Tuesday, February 7, 2012

John 15:5 I am the vine, ye [are] the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.

Jonathon & Mandy Crews -  BRAZIL
Joel C & Brooke Daku -  KIRIBATI
Paul W & Martha Daku -  FIJI ISLANDS