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December 1977 Newsletter
COLOMBIAN CHRISTIAN MISSION
Dale and Jeanie Meade
In the jungle and prairie of Southeastern Colombia
Volume 5, Issue 12 December, 1977
WE TAKE TO THE AIR!
As of the 24th of November, we will take to the air. But it won't be in the airplane. Our airplane fund is coming along, but it is still short of the necessary amount. So even though we aren't flying, we are still looking for ways to reach into remote and isolated towns in the southeast area of Colombia. There is one means that isn't hindered by hundreds of miles of trackless jungle and prairie; radio broadcasting.
When we returned to Colombia, we brought along a broadcast quality cassette tape recorder. Soon after arriving we began to try out the equipment and talk with Colombian brethren. Their excitement and enthusiasm was almost limitless. We began to talk to the radio stations. After a great deal of bargaining we signed a two year contract for a daily 15 minute broadcast. This was a real blessing because prime time is hard to get.
With renewed enthusiasm we began to make plans. The program, "Amanecer con Dios" (roughly translated that means "Rising with the Lord") will take to the air by the time you read this letter. It will be 15 minutes long and will primarily be gospel music in popular style. It will carry spot announcements and a short (3 to 4 minutes) evangelistic message. It should do a great deal to open up new areas to us. We feel that it's importance here is demonstrated by the fact that no Colombian home, no matter how poor, is without radio.
In spite of the fact that we have 15 minutes of the best time of one of the most popular most powerful radio stations, it is costing only $8.50 per program. This includes the broadcasting of our program on standard AM, FM, and by short wave band frequencies. Yet, even at such a reasonable price we will still find our budget severely strained by the addition of anther new project. The twenty programs monthly will cost a total of $170 monthly, or half of our present work support. Therefore, we would like to share this ministry with you. If you would like to help preach the gospel to thousands of people daily, please fill in the coupon below and send it to the missionary that you now support.
LEADERSHIP TRAINING.
The one main problem that has plagued the Jobo church (and many of the churches here) is the lack of trained leadership. The church had grown at an astonighing rate. Yet whenever we weren't around the brethren would get into a squabble. They just didn't have the preparation that they needed to handle such a large church.
When we came back to Colombia it was with the idea of helping to establish a full fledged Bible Institute through extension teaching. This will not only help the Jobo and Nueva Tolima churches, but all of the congregations here. One week per month is now dedicated to these teachings. The men come by bus, bicycles, and plane. We pay their transportation expenses in one direction. They (or their church) pay the return trip. I also dedicate another week and a couple weekends to traveling. This allows me to evangelize and train others at the same time.
This new major thrust in our ministry is vitally important to the future of the Colombian churches. It works doubly well because we can train leaders without being tied up as we would be by a resident Bible Institute. It has gotten off to such a great start that we can't help but be excited about it.
(PHOTO)
One of the brothers taking care of his bees.