VIRGINIA BEACH, VA (ANS) -- Hispanics are not only the largest minority group in the United States, their evangelical churches are a growing force in our nation, both in numbers and influence.

The Executive Committee is chaired by Stan Jeter, Senior Producer for CBN News. Other members are Steve Cordon (Vertical Link), Marie Tamayo (Eventers Miami), J Mark Gallardo (CVC La Voz) and Darrell Eash (Sound and Screen)

"Hispanic media is also in a growth cycle, and Christians own Spanish-language radio stations and television channels in major cities like New York, Miami and Los Angeles. Many Hispanic churches produce programs for local media outlets," said Stan Jeter, Senior Producer for CBN News.

"Chicago's venerable WMBI, now broadcasts in Spanish as Radio Moody to reach the 2 million Hispanics in that market. New Yorkers have been listening for nearly 30 years to Radio Vision Cristiana, a network that has grown to ten stations here and overseas. The Enlace television network, affiliated with TBN, covers the U.S. on multiple broadcast and cable outlets, and by DirecTV."

Jeter, who was born in Cuba of missionary parents, and has lived and worked for many years in South and Central America, most recently developing the Spanish Christian news program, Mundo Cristiano, went on to say, "Hispanics don't lack media vision-but many do lack broadcast training and experience and are looking for ways to use the media more effectively."

The founding producer for Christian World News and creator of the Global News Alliance, Jeter said that this need "prompted veteran broadcasters and representatives of major ministries" including Focus on the Family, the Christian Broadcasting Network, and In Touch Ministries, to get together four years ago in Miami.

"The gathering gave birth to ComunicadoresUSA, an NRB-inspired support group for Hispanic broadcasters. The first step was to organize a "Media School" during the annual Expolit convention in Miami," he added.

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ComunicadoresUSA is now inviting Christian broadcasters to the first Hispanic Media Summit, on May 1st at the Miami Airport Convention Center. A keynote speaker will be Phil Cooke, veteran TV and film producer, author and consultant. NRB President Dr. Frank Wright will meet with the organizers to further their partnership. Program details are posted (in Spanish) on http://www.comunicadoresusa.org/ - www.ComunicadoresUSA.org .

With a vision of "transformed communicators to transform their communities", the association is gathering resources and volunteers to train, network and support Hispanic Christians using mass media.

ComunicadoresUSA President Stan Jeter believes that by investing in Spanish-language Christian media we can increase the positive influence of Hispanics in the social, political and spiritual life of the nation. He encourages Christian media leaders to consider what they can do to mentor and train Hispanic broadcasters.

Along with current broadcasters, the next generation of Hispanics merits special attention. "They're bi-cultural and bi-lingual, and as skilled as anyone with the social media", says Jeter. "We want give their pastors training tools so they can turn their youth into a media-savvy force for evangelism and discipleship."

For more information, please contact Stan Jeter at: mailto:Stan.Jeter@cbn.org - Stan.Jeter@cbn.org

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