The distance between Lima, Peru, and Los Angeles telescoped and time rolled back when veteran broadcaster Pepe Barreto encountered Frank Gonzalez in an SCC Adventist church a few years ago.

Barreto, who had listened to the La Voz de la Esperanza radio program as a young child in Lima, told Gonzalez, “I can’t believe I’ve met you!” In 2004, Gonzalez interviewed Barreto on “Descubra” (Discover), the La Voz ministry’s first television program, in a taping at the White Memorial Church.

In that interview, the audience learned about Barreto’s experience as a well-known radio and television personality in the L.A. Hispanic market, but what excited Barreto was the opportunity to tell people about his spiritual journey.

Noting that he began learning more about the Bible in 1992, Barreto said, “In visiting different churches, I discovered Adventist churches and was attracted by the way Adventism links healthcare and Bible study.” In the years since, he visited several Adventist churches, including the Spanish American and Vallejo Drive congregations, and met Janet and Oswaldo Lainez who helped him in his Bible study.

“When Dr. Israel Chambi told me that Pastor Alejandro Bullon, whom I had seen on videos, would be speaking at the Lincoln Heights Spanish church, I went and met him. We have become close friends.” Another contact with Adventists developed when Barreto did a public-service campaign with the White Memorial Medical Center.

“Most members thought I had been baptized because I was always with them in churches,” Barreto said. “I finally decided that I wanted to be a member.” In May, Barreto was baptized at the Alhambra church by Pastor Elizabeth Talbot.

“A lot of artists earn much money and become very famous, but they feel empty because what they—we—need is to become closer to God and to receive the peace that only He can give us.

“I had the honor of being one of only two Hispanic broadcasters to be honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, but I knew that I was only missing God. For me, the way, the bridge, was the Adventist Church. I don’t pretend to be a pastor, but I want to give my testimony through my work, on the streets, in churches, to anyone who will listen.

“People began asking me questions about being baptized, so I told them about the church, about the Sabbath and that the Adventist church believes in health ministry and in Bible study and prayer. One day I was buying gas and the man at the station, whom I hadn’t seen for awhile, said, ‘I can see that you are peaceful; so passionate about your baptism. Tell me more.’”

Barreto’s wife, Rosa, a registered nurse, is studying the Bible to learn more about what has made such a difference in her husband’s life. He hopes that their children, Erika and Erik, who are attending local universities, will join them soon.

“Some people have everything, but they don’t take care of their spiritual life,” Barreto added. “I have decided to dedicate the rest of my life to Jesus. My only desire is to direct the attention of people to the Word of God so that they will find the peace that I have found.”