Reach Beyond and Inspiracom Approach Goal to Blanket Troubled Region with Gospel

Contact: Ty Mays, 770-256-8710

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo., Feb. 19, 2014 /Christian Newswire/ -- Reach Beyond (www.reachbeyond.org), formerly HCJB Global, recently moved a step closer to its vision of blanketing the volatile, ripe-for-the-gospel U.S.-Mexico border with the planting of its 14th Christian Spanish-language radio station in Del Rio, Texas.

Photo: At Reach Beyond's new radio station, KVFE 88.5 FM in Del Rio, Texas, broadcasters Jimmy Stinson and Rafael Anderson communicate the "good news" of the gospel along the volatile U.S.-Mexico border.

Inspiracom, a partner ministry of Reach Beyond, recently went on the air with KVFE 88.5 FM, 150 miles west of San Antonio. The ministry now operates stations at every major border crossing except San Diego/Tijuana. After Cuba, Mexico is considered one of the most restricted Spanish-speaking countries in terms of religious broadcasting. Christian Spanish-language radio -- with its combination of music and biblical teaching -- may be the best opportunity to reach the estimated 30 million people who live along the increasingly conflict-laden border. 

"It has been a long-held dream of missionary broadcasters to saturate the U.S.-Mexico border with Christian Spanish radio programs," said Glenn Lafitte, CEO of Inspiracom, and who, along with a number of Inspiracom personnel, remain missionaries with Reach Beyond. "The border region is home to increasing levels of crime, kidnappings, murders, drug trafficking and a host of other violent activities. Very few places in the world need the gospel more than this region."

Inspiracom was started by Reach Beyond in 1978 as World Radio Network Inc. (WRN). It was known by that name until 2013, when it became Inspiracom. In 2005, the ministry began to operate as an independent organization.

KVFE broadcasts on 50,000 watts and provides 24-hour Christian programming to approximately 200,000 people within its 75-mile radius in Del Rio and across the border into Ciudad Acuña, Mexico. Permission to build KVFE was granted in early 2011 by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), while the application was made in 1999 -- a timeframe not uncommon for approving new licenses along the U.S-Mexico border. 

Each of the 14 non-commercial FM stations plays music and includes short-form teaching. General interest programming is used to draw in non-Christian listeners, and listeners have been encouraged and inspired through gospel messages.   

"We've heard countless stories of lives being turned around and decisions made for Jesus Christ through these radio stations," said Wayne Pederson, president and CEO of Reach Beyond. "Since Mexico doesn't allow full-time Christian stations, Inspiracom's radio stations may be the only way some residents can hear the good news in Spanish, news that will not only bring salvation, but also bring healing and restoration to their lives."

Noelia listens to KNOG is Nogales, Ariz., and decided to tune in during a month-long series on forgiveness. While listening to the program, she said it was as if God was talking directly to her.

"Thanks for the programs 'En Contacto' ('In Touch') and 'Momento Decisivo' ('Turning Point')," she wrote station managers. "I was finally able to forgive myself and let out all the rage that had accumulated in my soul. I wept for several days until a peace descended upon me. [In the past], I had felt an uncontrollable hate, stronger than I ever would have thought possible."

The 14 Inspiracom stations are scattered across Arizona (five stations), New Mexico (one station) and Texas (eight stations).

For more information about Reach Beyond, Inspiracom and their efforts to provide Christian Spanish radio broadcasts, visit www.reachbeyond.org.

For 82 years the passion of Reach Beyond (formerly HCJB Global) (www.reachbeyond.org) has been to make disciples of Christ. Using mass media, healthcare and education and working with partners around the world, Reach Beyond has ministries in more than 100 countries. The gospel is aired in more than 120 languages and dialects. Thousands of healthcare patients are meeting Jesus. Local believers are being trained as missionaries, pastors, broadcasters and healthcare providers.

To schedule an interview with a key leader from HCJB Global, contact Ty Mays @ 770-256-8710 or tmays@inchristcommunications.com