No one will argue that family life in America has changed. And Hispanic families are no exception to the fast-paced schedules and peer and financial pressures. A new talk radio program presented by Adventist Hispanics is offering hope across Central California.

Broadcasting weekly from Fresno’s Radio Unica, the one-hour program, La Vida Sobre el Tapete, is moderated by Antonio Romero, pastor of the Madera and Livingston Hispanic churches. Each week’s guest is a community expert (from county agencies or private practice) in various family issues. The live talk format includes calls from listeners—20 to 30 each program.

The idea began with the station’s manager. His child’s babysitter received copies of a sermon series by Romero on the family. She was so impressed that she passed the tapes on to her employer, urging him to "put this on your radio." He called Romero with a dream—a weekly, live, call-in talk show during prime time (noon) on family issues.

With assistance from the camp meeting evangelism offering and private donations, the show began as a 30-minute program plus three, one-minute daily spots. After seven months, the response had grown so dramatically that the station manager requested the program be expanded to one hour—at the station’s expense. Extra phone lines were installed to handle the additional calls.

Heard from Bakersfield to the Bay Area, the follow-up for each caller is a free book delivered by area church members that includes their city’s Adventist church contact information and the Centinela magazine.

Family Conference and Health Fair

To celebrate their 10-month anniversary, the radio ministry gifted the community a family conference and health fair that featured Spanish-speaking experts on health and family issues. The keynote speaker, Doctora Isabel, host of the #1 rated Hispanic talk radio program in the United States, came from Florida to participate. (Her program receives 8,000 calls per hour!)

Held Nov. 9 at the historic Fox Theater in downtown Visalia, the six-hour event kept the theater filled to its 1,500 seat capacity as participants came and went throughout the day. Portions of the conference were broadcast live on Radio Unica.

"The Seventh-day Adventist Church is quickly becoming known as the leader in the quest to better the families and the health of the Hispanic community," says Romero.

Happy Home Clubs

Hogar Feliz (Happy Home) Club, a pilot program, is another step in family wellness. Begun in Lindsay and facilitated by Dr. Mario Celaya, a local church member, the club meets once a month and is modeled after successful self-help group models. "Couples really have no place to go when they are experiencing problems or want to improve their marriages," Romero explains. "The Happy Home Club is an ideal and safe place for them to go." A second club has been established in Fresno.

Isabel was especially excited to learn about the Hogar Feliz Club and believes it could be a national model.

The community response has been tremendous. "We are following Jesus’ method of mixing with the people, supplying their needs and gaining their confidence," Romero says. Now, in the beginning of the ministry’s second year, more opportunities to present the gospel will be offered.

Adds Romero, "Then Jesus said ‘Follow me.’"

La Vida airs at noon every Thursday on AM 940 on Central Valley radio dials.