Diné Adventist Radio Celebrates Grand Opening

GALLUP, N.M. – In a world where the airwaves are filled with countless voices, a new beacon of hope has emerged in the heart of the United States. Diné Adventist Radio (DAR), a bilingual religious network broadcasting in Navajo and English, celebrated its grand opening with a heartfelt ceremony. This momentous occasion brought together conference leaders, future listeners and radio enthusiasts, marking the culmination of nearly five years of effort to share faith, love and acceptance with the Navajo Nation.

As the first of its kind in the region, DAR seeks to empower the Diné (Navajo) community by promoting total well-being.

The ceremony opened with a warm welcome from Dale Wolcott, who has ministered to the Navajo people for years. As the Native Ministries leader for the Arizona Conference, Wolcott shared his belief in the importance of using radio—despite its perceived antiquity—to reach the Navajo Nation. Reflecting on years of dedication to this project, Wolcott expressed praise to God for this new beginning.

Throughout the program, representatives from the North American Division (NAD) and various conferences shared their joy and gratitude for God’s guidance in establishing DAR. Speakers included Rick Remmers, NAD assistant to the president for Native Ministries; Reggie Leach, Arizona Conference treasurer; and Allen Steel, Adventist World Radio ambassador. Lee-Roy Chacón, president of the Texico Conference, concluded the event with a blessing and an inspiring prayer of dedication for the new network.

The program also featured performances by students from Holbrook Indian School and La Vida Mission School, who sang songs of praise in both Navajo and English.

The highlight of the event was the ribbon-cutting ceremony, which symbolized the official launch of DAR. As the ribbon was cut, cheers erupted from the audience, celebrating the beginning of a new chapter for the Navajo community.

Attendees toured the studio, gaining insight into the technology and dedication behind DAR’s programming. The studio, equipped with state-of-the-art broadcasting equipment, promises to deliver high-quality, uplifting content to listeners.

Lunch, prepared by La Vida Mission’s kitchen crew and a volunteer team led by Nancy Wolcott, provided a delicious conclusion to the day’s events.

The launch of Diné Adventist Radio represents more than the start of a new station—it is a step toward sharing faith, hope and healing with a community grappling with poverty and other challenges. With a commitment to delivering inspiring, locally created content, DAR aims to be a trusted companion, offering spiritual nourishment and a sense of community.

As the event concluded, attendees left with a feeling of excitement and anticipation for the impact DAR will have on the Navajo Nation. The grand opening marks the start of a faith-filled journey, and the network is poised to follow the path God has set before it.

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