Pastor Misael González, communication director of the Panama Union, points to the logo during the launch of the new Adventist radio station in Panama City, Panama, on Aug. 1, 2025. Hope Panamá 91.7 FM covers the entire metropolitan region and marks a milestone in spreading the gospel nationwide. [Photo: Panama Union]
The newly acquired Hope Panamá 91.7 FM extends coverage to the more than 2 million people across the metropolitan region.

August 19, 2025 | Panama City, Panama | Johana García and Libna Stevens, Inter-American Division News

The Seventh-day Adventist Church in Panama has launched its seventh radio station, Hope Panamá, which now reaches the metropolitan region and covers 46 percent of the country’s population, including the Kuna indigenous communities. Church leaders called the launch a milestone in spreading the gospel nationwide.

“This is a watershed moment in our mission to share the gospel in every corner of Panama,” said Pastor Misael González, communication director of the Panama Union. “As of August 1, the station previously known as La Máxima became Hope Panamá, a voice of hope that will resonate in homes, communities, and hearts.”

Pastor José De Gracia, president of the Panama Union, speaks during the inauguration of Hope Panamá 91.7 FM at the Ancon Adventist Church in Panama City, Aug. 1, 2025. [Photo: Panama Union]
Clearer Signal for the Capital

Hope Panamá 91.7 FM is being managed by the Panama Union and is reaching more than 2 million people in the metropolitan region, including surrounding mountain communities, church leaders said.

The new FM station resolves long-standing challenges with AM coverage in urban areas. “Tall buildings, urban interference, and geography limited AM waves from reaching many homes,” explained Pastor José De Gracia, president of the Panama Union. “FM provides a clearer, more stable signal for metropolitan listeners, while AM still serves remote areas and even reaches other countries.”

The new Hope Panamá station is managed by the Panama Union and is housed in the Metropolitan Panama Conference office in Panama City, Panama. [Photo: Panama Union]
The project reflects the dedication of church members who served as sponsors and promoters. “This vision required unity, commitment, and faith,” González said. “Our promoters visited churches and homes, inspiring members to contribute, many giving as little as $50.”

Faithful Members Make It Possible

Hermán Guerra, a sponsor in Chiriquí Province, shared his story: “I dedicated a row of mango trees on my land to fund sponsorships. Today, that supports 41 active contributions. God has blessed every tree, multiplied the harvest, and even opened doors for more support.”

Hermán Guerra, a sponsor and radio promoter from Chiriquí, Panama, displays mangoes from his garden, dedicated to funding sponsorships for the new Adventist radio station. His faith and commitment have helped make Hope Panamá 91.7 FM possible. [Photo: Panama Union]
Donald Pérez, also from Chiriquí, added, “Being a promoter is not just about talking about the radio—it’s about living the mission. Every time I encourage someone to become a sponsor, I feel immense joy. The radio is our collective voice, and together we make it possible.”

Victor Caballero, legal representative of the Adventist Radio System in Panama, praised the work of promoters. “They inspire new sponsors, sharing practical ideas that expand the ministry nationwide,” he said.

Donald Pérez, a sponsor and radio promoter from Chiriquí, celebrates the launch of Hope Panamá 91.7 FM in Panama City, Panama, Aug. 1, 2025. His dedication as a promoter has helped make the new station possible. [Photo: Panama Union]
United for the Future

The growth of Hope Panamá was made possible by the dedicated and strategic leadership of mission-driven church leaders. They emphasized that support from the Inter-American Division was key in acquiring the new station.

González highlighted the ongoing plan to unify Hope Radio nationally. “Each station is still locally managed by each conference with different names and logos, but we are aligning programming from 7:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon and using social media to strengthen the brand,” he said. “Our goal is 80 percent national programming and 20 percent local, while still allowing each field to address its community.”

Victor Caballero (right), legal representative of the Adventist Radio System in Panama, and Tomás Hills Fuentes (left), radio engineer and announcer for the Panama Union, speak during the launch of the new Hope Panamá radio station in the Panama Metropolitan Conference, Panama City, Aug. 1, 2025. [Photo: Panama Union]
De Gracia underlined the importance of continued support. “Although the station is on the air, maintenance, programming, equipment, and content expansion require ongoing commitment. Being a sponsor of Hope Panamá means being part of the mission—it is to sow hope in thousands of hearts.”