with our missionaries 50 years in Paraguay
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Good News Ministries offers range of services Good News Ministries (Ministerio Buenas Nuevas – MBN) was started in 1990 as an umbrella organization in East Paraguay to administrate the media ministries of radio, literature, and counseling ministries. Its board of directors is formed of representatives from evangelical churches in Tres Palmas, Bergthal, Sommerfeld, Paraguayan nationals, and EMC. Radio Mensajero presented its formal proposal to CONATEL in 1998 and a license was graciously approved. The studio building was in place—equipment ordered, installations, and tower erected—all within less than a year. With a limited but dedicated staff, Radio Mensajero 100.9 FM sprung to life and was on the air, its inauguration being celebrated on March 28, 1999. It completed its 10th anniversary celebrations from March 27–29, 2009. The current station director is EMC missionary Chris Kroeker. At its 10th anniversary celebrations there was time to reminisce, to reevaluate (but only briefly), to shift focus on what lies ahead. We can only say that God was highly involved “in the making” of Radio Mensajero, and we believe that He wants to be just as much involved in the future operation of this station, as He has promised in His Word “that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Jesus Christ” (Philippians 1:6).
We have already learned that a station of this calibre and potential cannot please “all the people all the time.” We realize more and more that we are reaching out to people of diverse cultures, backgrounds, nationalities, religions, education levels, vocations, ages, each with his or her particular tastes, desires and needs. How can a station do justice in such a situation as this? Let’s begin by looking at its very name, not as Radio Mensajero (Messenger), but as The Messenger. Regardless, in whichever direction we look today, we see that we are all facing the same dilemma, whether economic, social, or even spiritual. We are all in this together. Benny and Esther Goertzen are working with MBN coordinating all the follow-up work resultant from media and counseling ministries.
This means working closely with all Evangelical churches in the Radio Mensajero coverage-area, encouraging them to capitalize on the fruit of these ministries. In 1987 the EMC began a Christian bookstore (Nee Pora, Good News) in Caaguazu which was transferred from the EMC to MBN in 2000. The store was administrated by Erna Plett until July 2008 when Richarh Rodriguez became its manager. Adjacent, and connected with the bookstore, is a professional spiritual counseling service, under the direction of Agripino Presentado. It serves many disturbed and distraught seekers, directing them to peace with God through Christ. The door is also wide open for Agripino to serve, in the same capacity, in the Colegio National de Caaguazu (university). In Caaguazu the EMC has constructed a Leadership Training Centre dedicated for leadership training-sessions, seminars, special meetings and conferences. MBN is able to make use of this facility for its follow up ministry. God has blessed. To Him be the glory! Frank Kroeker and Ken Zacharias Note: A longer article is available from the Conference office.
Richarh Rodriguez, manager at Nee Pora bookstore, with an employee.
Radio Mensajero recently celebrated 10 years of ministry.
We realize more and more that we are reaching out to people of diverse cultures, backgrounds, each with his or her particular tastes, desires and needs. Family at Santa Teresa
THE MESSENGER September 2, 2009
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