Viña conference unites, prods AV producers

PANAJACHEL, Guatemala — Over the past week, men and women from around Guatemala, the Philippines, Mexico, Honduras, Peru and Brazil have received training in how to serve their communities through audio-visual ministry.

Some are just beginning, others have years of experience in video, radio and ethnic music.

Their stories, understanding and heart for teaching God’s word and helping people grow as disciples of Jesus Christ amazed me.

Pedro from Mexico has been working on a Bible translation into the Nahuatl (Aztec) language, teaching pastors to value God’s word in their own language. He was invited to share before 300 pastors, and many later invited him to share at their churches.

This is vital work because some still believe Jesus used the Reina-Valera Spanish Bible 2000 years ago, not realizing it is a translation. Pedro is recording the Nahuatl translation as soon as they finish another book — important work because few read their language.

Vidal in Tektitán produces a daily radio program for his community of 3,000 people, only about 15 of whom are evangelical believers.

One man from Peru told me of a Qechua girl who started a creative biblical radio program “Hummingbird” for children. This man learned that many Qechua people — children, parents and grandparents — were listening to her show every day. One day, some parents sent a message:

“Can you please tell this girl to start her radio program earlier in the morning? We can’t get our children to put the animals out to pasture until the 'Hummingbird' finishes.”

Viña Studios in Sololá organized the three back-to-back conferences. Its leaders recognized they can never finish the work of producing and dubbing Bible story videos, films and music for Guatemala’s 51 languages and dialects without help. They hope to help raise up, train and equip others in the different language areas here and in Latin America.

It was a privilege to interview some of these incredible men and women who are working in remote areas, often isolated from others and without the support and encouragement of a team. Viña hopes to use the interviews in future reports on its work to motivate and challenge others.

Many participants said they felt blessed and encouraged to attend the conferences and realize others are working in the same ministry, dealing with similar problems, trying to serve their churches and bless their communities.

(Click here to read the report from Viña's prayer blog and to learn some prayer requests.)