Dorie Panganiban – Gallup, New Mexico … Diné Adventist Radio* (DAR) is a Christian radio network that serves the people of the Navajo Nation with programming designed to help them experience total well-being in their health, their families and their faith. December 8 was a day for celebration as the radio station began around-the-clock broadcasting.

“In 2020, God, in His great love and mercy for all people and kindred, and tongues, and nations, made the humble beginning of the Diné Adventist Radio possible. From the time of its birth, DAR management, and all the people behind it, have prayed that one day it would go on the air 24/7, broadcasting and bringing the wonderful love of Jesus across the Navajo Nation and beyond. That dream has come into fruition with the 24/7 broadcast of the good news in sight and just around the corner,” remarked Dorie Panganiban, La Vida Mission* office manager.

Present for the celebration were Adventist World Radio (AWR) ambassador Allen Steele, North American Division (NAD) assistant to the President Rick Remmers, Arizona Conference treasurer Reggie Leach, and Texico Conference president Lee-Roy Chacon. Also present were DAR board members, local church members, supporters, and some listeners of the radio station. The Holbrook Indian School and La Vida Mission school choirs offered special music during the program.

The event was spearheaded by DAR Network manager Steve Pester and Arizona Native Ministries coordinator Dale Wolcott with the help of Gallup, Window Rock, and other churches and ministries from the area. As Steve Pester said, “The grand opening was a true celebration of partnership with everyone involved. It truly felt like what Heaven will be like! So encouraging and inspiring!”

The station’s logo was also presented by Pester during the program. He explained, “[It was] created by DAR Network program director, Kenneth Kirtley, with his wife Misty, who suggested the background which is the base of it. The background of the logo is the Navajo Wedding Basket that helps us to remember that Christ is our groom, and we are His Bride and He’s coming back for us! It shows us the Love and Unity and best wishes from the Maker and what He wants for us: eternal life with Him.”

“The basket is woven, which symbolizes the weaving together of lives, families, and communities. And radio will be able to do that for this community,” Pester continued. “The stepped or terraced design represents the traditional Navajo Dwelling, the Hogan, which helps us think about the dwelling house the Lord has promised us in Heaven. The arrows on either side of the logo represent the fletching on the arrow that gives it direction as it flies. God gives us our directions; we only need follow. Finally, the most important part is the turquoise fingers on each side. One side is the Three Angels Message, the other side is the Trinity. Together, the two symbols are holding up the Diné—the Navajo—as a people and the Diné Adventist Radio network.”

Pester concluded, “I praise the Lord that the tower for KDHP – 91.9 FM near Piñon is stacked and standing there, 199 feet tall, pointing to Heaven, signaling that we’re another step closer to having radio waves flowing off that tower, pointing people to Jesus. The building that God provided is in place, and the next steps are getting the antenna mounted, the feed line attached, and getting the transmitter, internet, and backup generator installed. Keep the whole process in your prayers!”

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* Dine Adventist Radio and La Vida Mission are supporting ministries of the Seventh-day Adventist Church but are not affiliated with the Rocky Mountain Conference of Seventh-day Adventists.

—Dorie Panganiban is the La Vida Mission office manager. Photos supplied.