No one will deny the sudden, rapid, widespread change. There’s been a communication explosion!

How different today than when we first came to Brazil in 1954! Telephones were few. Messages to fellow missionaries were sent by telegram. Communication to the USA was difficult and often impossible. Letters were usually a month or more en route.

And now today? We wonder how we ever managed without telephones, through our first 25 years in Brazil we had none. Now, besides phones, we have both fax and the fast, amazing, direct, computer e-mail communication—plus the web site on internet...What wonderful ways to share the Gospel

Ever since we came to Brazil as missionaries, radio has been my special interest.
While in the Coast Guard during World War II, I accepted the Lord at midnight on October 20, 1945 in Greenland. A Gospel program, "Christ for the World" was being broadcast from Quito, Ecuador, South America. The Lord used the message that night to show me that, though religious, I was lost, and I trusted Christ as my Savior.

Having been saved through radio, I had a desire to begin a radio ministry here in Brazil. Thirty-seven years ago we began with a simple, live broadcast, later followed by recorded programs. Methods have changed over the years. First, we used reel to reel tapes (on large recorders) which were then considered superior quality. Next came cassette tape recorders, then mini-disc recorders, and now the CD’s made or "burned" from computer programs. So today we depend more on the computer, and coming is more communication by means of the Internet.

We need to redeem the time, making use of the latest methods of communication. In Ephesians 5:16, we read—"Redeeming the time, because the days are evil." Many are still walking in darkness. Jesus said to the Apostle Paulo, "…I send thee, To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God…" (Acts 26:17b;18) We, too, need to use the Word of God and communicate to those without the Savior. Our responsibility is to take advantage of the many opportunities to share God’s Word

These are busy days for us. I am learning how to "burn" CD's and prepare past radio programs on reel to reel tape, cassette tape, Mini-disk (MD) to be used on radio with CD's. During the months of November and December (2003), I have made over 50 CD' s to be used in the future. Various Brazilian pastors are beginning to have their own live programs and appreciate our help. Recorded programs are also made by our Brazilian co-worker, pastor Johnny Torres. He will then forward them on by mail to their destination.

Dale Johnson,
Director of BGFM Radio Ministry in Brazil

BY THE BGFM RADIO MINISTRY COMMITTEE FOR YEAR 2004

1. What are our goals for this year of 2004.

2. What will be our goals for the next five years from 2005 to 2010?

3. When and how shall we plan to have more indigenous participation in our radio ministry?

4. To what extent can we still contribute to any future radio programming?

5. Should we develop or prepare a plan stating how long any church will be helped financially by our BGFM radio?

6. Should we prepare and present a plan to each church being helped financially, saying that after three to five years the local church should attempt to assume total financially responsibility of their own live radio program? This would make it possible for us to contribute financially to some new church live program just being started.

7. Where will we plan to locate when BGFM mission has a new mission home property and a new campground property? Near which one? Or continue on in same places with Ecos do Calvário Studio 1 in Dale Johnson’s upstairs apartment, and Ecos do Calvário Studio 2 in Johnny Torre’s residence? Time will tell what is best.

8. How can the Brazilian members of our committee be more involved in radio activity of our BGFM radio ministry? Johnny Torre is already involved with recording and preparing programs for Radio União in Camocim. Is there something special that João Alves and Jorge Hercules can also do?

9. What about outreach for a new radio program in Limoeiro do Norte? How should we plan and proceed for such a project?

NOTE: The BGFM radio committee met during our missionary conference time of January 6-13, 2004 to discuss the above plans and goals. We are praying about how Brazilian pastors may participate further with us so that our radio ministry may be more indigenous.