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Santa Cruz, Bolivia
Latin American Broadcasters’ Convention draws largest attendance in 10 years


The 2001 Latin American Christian Broadcasters’ Convention (COICOM) was held in Santa Cruz, Bolivia, October 8–11, attracting 2500 broadcasters and media personal from 26 Latin American countries. Many secular broadcasters also attended. Hundreds of guests had to sleep on church pews.

Delbert Enns, executive director of the Mennonite Brethren media ministry Family Life Network of Winnipeg and former director of the radio/TV station OBEDIRA of Paraguay, was program coordinator. “I’ve never seen anything like this,” he said. “It’s the largest attendance we’ve had in 10 years of COICOM. We weren’t expecting the thousand extra participants who showed up on registration day. I finally stood up on a table and called to the crowds: ‘No registering! Just come in!’ ”

Delbert Enns (far right) opens in prayer during a session of COICOM, the Latin American Broadcasters’ Convention. Third from the left is Wayne Peterson, president of North America’s National Religious Broadcasters’ Association.

During the event, 90 new stations requested FLN’s unique Spanish program, Encuentro. Over 600 stations throughout Latin America already air this program. Producer Ernesto Pinto’s interview format is popular with station managers who claim “It’s just like one of our own people talking on the program.”

Each night, about 28,000 people filled the stadium for public rallies that featured thousands of artists and musicians. Bolivia’s president, impressed with the professionalism of this Christian event, decreed that the rallies be aired live on national television.

COICOM’s events generated $30,000 that will be used as seed money for Bolivia’s “Cities for Christ” outreach coming up in March.

“Latin America is leading the world today in city saturation for Christ,” says Enns. “There’s a great passion and vision.”

Delbert’s brother Arnold Enns of Miami, is executive director of COICOM. They are sons of Albert Enns, life-long MBMS International missionary who pioneered effective, broad-sweep evangelism in Paraguay.

 – Dorothy Siebert, for Family Life Network

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Last modified November 30, 2001.

© 2001 Mennonite Brethren Herald.
Published by the Canadian Conference of MB Churches.
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