In a world that is getting smaller and smaller due to the activation of social networks, radio becomes bigger by leaving the “dial” and betting on the production of digital content. In the war for audiences, former announcer Amilton Luis de Menezes uses streaming to connect people. “Multiplatform is here to stay. This way, we go further and are more relevant”, explains the radio broadcaster. 

In this second interview in the series on the development of Adventist communication in South America, Menezes recalls the pioneering spirit, talks about challenges, and gives opinions on the future of radio for evangelism.

Born in Miraguaí, Rio Grande do Sul (RS), on September 27, 1964, Menezes has practiced in this field since he was 17 years old and is registered in the same state. He graduated with a degree in Social Communication (Journalism) in 2004 from the Estácio de Sá University, in Nova Friburgo, Rio de Janeiro. He is also an Adventist pastor, ordained in December 2008, while directing Rede Novo Tempo de Rádio, in Jacareí, São Paulo. 

He married Rosemara in 1986, and together they have three children: Danielle (30), graduated with a degree in Communication and lives in California, USA, where she and her husband, Pastor Luccas Rodor, work; Hamilton Wanderson (29), graduated with a degree in Communication, married, works and lives in Curitiba; and Naielly (20), a nursing student at Centro Universitário Adventista de São Paulo (UNASP).

How is Amilton Menezes [described] by Amilton Menezes?

A dreamer who has not yet made all his dreams come true, and who tirelessly struggles to make every one of them come true before Jesus returns.

Does the passion for radio come from childhood?

Yes. Since I was little, I've been in love with this vehicle of communication. I slept and woke up beside a radio. At night, I could listen to transmissions from other states in Brazil, and during the day, through short waves, I listened to radios from Porto Alegre to Moscow, in the former Soviet Union.

Which Adventist communication pioneer inspires you?

Roberto Mendes Rabello, founder and first speaker of the program A Voz da Profecia in Brazil. I knew all the stations in the region and at what times the program was aired. I didn't miss one. I developed the ability to find biblical texts quickly while he presented the program.

And why has Pastor Rabello so marked your life?

First, because he celebrated my wedding to Rosemara. Other marks are the voice, simplicity, generosity, and humility of this man of God. He wanted me to study theology and work at the Voice of Prophecy, and in 2003, that dream came true. He was my great mentor and supporter.

How was your entry into the Adventist Church's communication?

After working for nine years as a press officer for the city of Miraguaí, I accepted the call to be an announcer and producer at Novo Tempo FM in Sapiranga, Novo Hamburgo, RS. This happened in 1993. Then, I directed Novo Tempo FM in Florianópolis, from 1996 to mid-2002. Then, in Nova Friburgo, where the South American headquarters of Rede Novo Tempo was located, I assumed the role of producer of Voice of Prophecy. At that time, Pastor Montano de Barros was the official speaker for the program.

You also had an experience with Spanish-speaking broadcasters, right?

Yes. I worked for 12 years in the general direction of radios for the Adventist Church in South America, leading Radio Nuevo Tiempo from 2007. It was a learning experience. In 2014, I took over Rádio Novo Tempo FM in Curitiba and the Communication department of the Adventist Church in the central region of Paraná.

Were you also a district pastor?

In Vila Santo Antônio, Novo Hamburgo, between 2017 and 2018, I had my first and longed-for pastoral experience. Then, in 2019 until mid-2020, [I pastored] in the Posto Paris district, in the metropolitan region of Curitiba.

When you took over Rede Novo Tempo, what was radio like?

At the headquarters in Nova Friburgo, we were in the transition between analog and digital. We had a lot of work, a lot of production based on the dial-up internet. The stations were independent, so we had many meetings, training, meetings of directors and communicators, aiming at unification and professionalism of programming and style. We wanted to smooth the way and make Novo Tempo a unified network.

What is the future of radio in preaching the gospel?

The cell phone is, today, the greatest communication tool. It surpasses television and radio stations. It's everywhere. And that's where we should be, with exclusive or differentiated programming, whether in videos or podcasts. Since 2008, it has already anticipated this, insisting on the need for segmentation. There is no way to speak to everyone at the same time using the same tools as yesterday. Either segment or die.

What suggestions would you have for radio?

When television came along, they decreed the end of the radio. With the advent of the internet, it looked like it was going to break down for good. Now, more than ever, you need to segment yourself [and] aggregate several channels within one, speaking to different audiences in their respective applications. In times of playlists on different platforms, the way is to mix voice and video [and] expand the production of new podcasts.

What would you do again?

If I were to start today, it certainly wouldn't be with the tools or ideas of twenty years ago. Amazingly, today, it is a little more difficult and complex. It would only need the vitality of those times and divine insight to be used only as His instrument.

Are you still collaborating on radio as a volunteer?

Yes, at Radio Maranatha's ministry, which has never been stopped. With the COVID-19 pandemic still in the district, I started to [share] Jesus through daily [personal testimonies]. Today, I have about 3,000 “virtual members”, most of them “unchurched”, without religion or of different denominations. For the podcast “Tempo de Reflectir”, there are 30,000 people.

Last word.

I have a dream: to see Jesus come back. I can't stand this sick world anymore. It hurts too much to bury loved ones. Whether through wgospel.com or the Manah app, whether through lives, podcasts, WhatsApp, or any other tool that may be created, He finds me working. Maranatha!

This article was originally published on the South American Division’s Portuguese news site