[David Gates] SUBJECT: My Dream - A Caribbean TV Broadcasting Network

AUTHOR: David Gates, his wife Becky, and four of their five children - Lina, Trina, Carlos, and Kristopher, work together with Becky's sister and family, the Burgdorffs, in a medical aviation program in the jungles of Guyana, South America.

DATE: March 13, 1997

MY DREAM: A few years ago, while I was walking near the TV section of a Sears store in Chattanooga, I happened to hear two familiar voices coming from the TV. I turned quickly and recognized Pastor Gordon Bietz, senior pastor for the Collegedale church being interviewed by my close friend Stephen Ruf. The subject was about the David Koresh incident in Waco, Texas. For days we had been hearing all kinds of allegations regarding Koresh's past denominational connections over national radio and TV networks. I now sat glued to the screen. With a wave of relief I heard the truth being aired. An overwhelming conviction swept over me that I must do everything in my power to push the building of TV stations around the world while the door of opportunity was open.

My dream is to have a television broadcasting network throughout the Caribbean. I have spoken to the Union Executive Committee twice on the subject and received an enthusiastic response. However, it appears that it has remained primarily a personal dream. So I feel convicted that in addition to the Guyana medical aviation program, God has called me to actively pursue this vision at this time. We have begun discussion with the Ministry of Information in Guyana and have received encouragements. The Director of Education of the Guyana Conference, Winston James, and myself are currently developing the project proposal. When I spoke to Danny Shelton of 3ABN in West Frankfort, Illinois about this. He was very encouraging and promised to place the project on the air as we received the station license. He was certain that God would produce the necessary funds as he has so many times before in similar projects.

NEWS FLASH: Just this week I received notice that the government of a nearby Caribbean country has given us tentative approval to submit the application. I am flying over to meet with church and business brethren in that country tomorrow, Friday the 14th of March. The country happens to be a very progressive, prosperous country, and very conservative as to what type of broadcasting they allow. However, the word is that they will favorably consider granting a license to a private, non-commercial TV broadcasting station. As soon as I know how things are going, I will certainly keep you posted.

Please pray that God will clearly make his will known to us, and open the doors to begin building a network of TV stations to blanket the Caribbean with God's love.

Thankfully Yours,

David Gates

You may write to David at: gates@andrews.edu

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Last Updated: March 13, 1997