wfn.org | African American Lutherans in Radio

[Brenda Williams <BRENDAW@elca.org>]

Reply-To: ElcaNews <ELCANEWS@ELCASCO.ELCA.ORG>

ELCA NEWS SERVICE

February 7, 1998

AFRICAN AMERICAN LUTHERANS IN RADIO
98-05-023-MR

     CHICAGO (ELCA) -- Fifteen African American congregations of the
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America will develop radio ministries for
outreach in African American communities.  More than 30 pastors and lay
leaders gathered here Jan. 29-Feb. 1 for a training event to learn what
radio can do for their congregation and community.
     "We want to help make known the Lutheran church and its ministries
within African American communities," said the Rev. Patrick Keen, Imani
Lutheran Church, Chicago.  "The Lutheran church and its ministries are not
well-known here.  The radio is one way to develop outreach efforts in order
for people to get excited about the church and its ministries," said Keen.
     "Participants were given an instruction manual on how to produce a
radio program and exposed to radio jargon and philosophies behind radio
ministry," said Susan Greeley, ELCA senior producer for public media
ministries.  "They learned how to identify their target audience, elements
of radio broadcasting and how to write a script to attract who they want to
reach.  Each congregation produced a 60-second radio spot to take to a
radio station," Greeley said.
     "Radio reaches 95.3 percent of all Americans each week as 96 percent
of all Americans over the age of 12 listen to the radio," said Juan Marcos
Gallardo, director for Christian Vision, Pembroke Pines, Fla.  "The average
American listens to the radio three hours and 20 minutes each weekday," he
told participants.
     According to Gallardo, radio can be one of the most cost-effective
ways to reach a community.  "One way is to rely on public service
announcements, which are offered free of charge," he said.
     "Radio stations are run by people who have human needs and concerns,
and pastors have something very important to offer those people -- a
compassionate, listening ear.  Congregations considering radio outreach
should consider establishing relationships with the management of a
station," Gallardo said.
     "We left the event with a product, tools and skills to develop radio
ministry, and a solid understanding of how important it can be as an
outreach tool," said Keen.
     Participants received a resource from a series of materials combining
communication and evangelism called, "Go Public!"  It includes a CD with
fourteen radio spots in English and eleven radio spots in Spanish, ready
for congregations to use.

For information contact:
Ann Hafften, Director (773) 380-2958 or NEWS@ELCA.ORG
http://www.elca.org/co/news/current.html