AWR News

by AWR Staff

As a student in Panama, Víctor Caballero studied both business and journalism, so after graduation he put his multiple talents to work simultaneously as an accountant, business administrator, social journalist, and radio commentator.

He joined the Seventh-day Adventist Church in 1977, and his desire was to retire early so he could serve the church as a self-supporting worker. He made this transition in 1990, and worked for 22 years in different church roles before retiring last year.

In 1997, the West Panama Conference asked Caballero to work on a radio project. It was a traumatic situation, he says, as there were no funds to purchase an existing radio station, and the public service authorities were reluctant to grant new radio frequencies.

Finally, the conference bought a station that was about to close, but it had no office or equipment. The authorities repeatedly rejected pastors and conference administrators, saying they were not able to fulfill the legal requirements of operating a radio station.

Caballero was eventually appointed as president of the new operation. After trying different fundraising techniques to fund the struggling station, under God’s guidance Caballero and other church members organized “El Plan de los Patrocinadores” (The Patrons’/Supporters’ Plan), which Caballero refers to as “those who do not pledge to receive earthly reward, but only spiritual satisfaction.” Supporters give systematically, which has covered all operating, maintenance, and development needs for the last 16 years. Through the years, one million dollars has been invested in the station. Its coverage has been extended to other parts of the country by acquiring another radio station, installing transmitters in additional locations, and leasing airtime from a commercial station.
Currently, the acquisition of another radio station is under way, as well as the construction of a communication center with production studios for radio and television.

AWR counts it a privilege to have the Visión Global Radio Network – in Chiriquí, Panama – as one of its hundreds of successful affiliate radio stations around the world. Today, we pay special tribute to Victor Caballero for his untiring service and vision for God’s work in his country through radio ministry.