Four Decades of Inspiration: RTM Venezuela and Its Legacy of Faith on the Air

RTM Venezuela celebrates its 40th anniversary of ministry.

When the voice of hope found its place in the heart of Venezuela, no one could have predicted the transformative reach it would have. Jim Munger, pioneer and storyteller of the history of Radio Trans Mundial (Trans World Radio in Spanish) in Venezuela, takes us on a retrospective journey to the birth of a media organization that would become a spiritual beacon in Latin America.

This November, RTM Venezuela celebrates its 40th anniversary, decades during which it has intertwined spirituality with the daily lives of its listeners, becoming an emblem of inspiration and spiritual guidance.

In 1964, the radio waves of RTM began to be broadcast from Bonaire, and it was Venezuela that stood out as a fervent receiver of a message that promised faith and community. Listener letters not only confirmed the reach of the broadcasts but also revealed a nation in search of something deeper, something that would quench the people's spiritual thirst.

In response to this outcry, RTM Venezuela began its mission, weaving a network of programs that resonated with the people’s feelings, including Christ Is the Only Hope and Thru the Bible, the Spanish version voiced by Pastor Samuel Montoya. The goal was clear: to establish a genuinely Venezuelan ministry that would engage with the cultural and spiritual particularities of its people.

The year 1982 marked a significant challenge for Munger and his team, but their determination was stronger than any obstacle. Arriving in Maracay in 1983, the response exceeded expectations, solidifying the need for a local ministry. With the decentralization of production in 1985, RTM Venezuela not only became closer to its audience members but also generated content that reflected their identity and context.

Under Munger’s leadership, the station grew and moved to a larger space in Maracay, becoming a fully local and self-sufficient team. When Munger moved to Miami in 1990, he left behind a thriving ministry, demonstrating the power of radio as a tool for spiritual and social change.

The impact of RTM Venezuela extends across four decades, and even today, the echoes of the voices that have been touched by its message are felt. Listeners like Elena and Mr. Falcón share personal testimonies that speak of transformation, learning and first steps in the Christian life, all rooted in the influence of this radio ministry.

Today, RTM Venezuela remains a breeding ground for programs that nourish the spirit of Venezuelans and the entire Latin American region. With more than 500 radio stations broadcasting its content, the Maracay office is an incubator of programs like RTM Awakening and Little Peter the Octopus, both of which continue to reach the masses with a message of hope and love.

Looking to the future, RTM Venezuela sets forth with clear objectives: to increase its presence on the airwaves, forge ties with spiritual leaders in each city and make the most of digital media to reach everyone who has a mobile device.

The words of Gabriel Fernández, the current director of RTM Venezuela, resonate with an unwavering commitment: to bring the gospel of Jesus Christ to every corner of Venezuela and beyond, ensuring that every Latin American heart has the opportunity to listen and be transformed.

On this important milestone, RTM Venezuela not only celebrates a history rich in faith but also prepares to write the next chapters of a legacy that continues to pulsate with the same passion that saw its birth.