ASSEMBLIES OF GODKentucky Ministry Network’s Hispanic Initiative Making “FM Waves” Across the State
by Ashley B. Grant
5/27/2025 7:00:00 AMFor the past decade, Kentucky has seen significant growth in its Spanish speaking population, more than tripling in 12 years. The Kentucky Ministry Network (KMN), alongside U.S. missionary with Intercultural Ministries Fabian Sanchez, his wife Rebekah, and the KMN Hispanic Initiative, is making “waves” to reach this growing language group.
Fabian Sanchez grew up working as a migrant farm worker, traveling alongside his parents and his seven siblings every summer from South Texas to Minnesota. While working long hours, he vividly remembers the struggle to find Spanish speaking radio stations, something that offered a precious connection to his roots. When they were able to find a Spanish speaking radio station during their travels, Sanchez states that “those moments were incredibly special for my family.”
Sanchez grew up, joined the Marine Corps, and subsequently worked as a deep-sea diver. While traveling through Louisiana one Sunday, he felt compelled to visit a Hispanic church, even though he was then identifying as an atheist.
“While the church wasn’t Hispanic, it made significant efforts to connect with the growing Hispanic population,” Sanchez says. The church offered a translator, and their signs were in both English and Spanish.
“Because of their outreach and the leading of the Holy Spirit, I ended up giving my life to Jesus that day,” he says.
Sanchez went on to attend Bible school, where he met his wife, and the two started a successful business. However, Sanchez knew he felt called to ministry and sensed the Lord leading them to rural America to establish Hispanic ministries and churches.
For the past six years, Sanchez has been serving in Kentucky as an appointed missionary with AG U.S. Missions’ Intercultural Ministries and was appointed as the Kentucky Ministry Network multicultural director. “I want to see a Holy Spirit-led ministry in every Hispanic community,” he shares.
One day, while meeting with a group of Hispanic ministers from the Kentucky Ministry Network, Sanchez heard the desire of the pastors in the room for a Spanish speaking Christian radio station to reach rural communities. He quickly remembered how much he had wished for a Spanish radio station when he was younger.
So, with the help of a small, like-minded team of individuals, Sanchez launched Radio Latido as an online station in 2020. Still, Sanchez knew that the impact would be greater with an FM frequency.
Sanchez and the network’s Hispanic Initiative team began researching how to acquire an FM frequency and discovered that applications for non-profits to obtain FM frequency permits only open every 10-15 years. The once-in-a-decade window was opening so Sanchez took a step of faith and applied. Soon, Radio Latido had its first frequency, 88.1 FM.
“We are the first Spanish Christian radio station in several counties and air Christian music, the Word of God, and Christian inspiration 24/7 and have local pastors that are able to share with a much broader audience,” Sanchez says.
Radio Latido’s morning host, Alex Toledo, moved from Mexico City to Kentucky to serve alongside Sanchez.
“A lot of people won’t go to church but they will listen to our program because we are the only Spanish speaking radio station,” says Toledo.
“People may wonder why we are in radio, it’s not 1920. But radio is still the most listened to media output in the United States and the majority of Hispanics listen to the radio because they come from a culture of radio. They’re always looking for a Spanish speaking station because it’s a way for them to stay connected to their language and because it sounds like home,” he continues.
Toledo goes on to say that because of the nature of work in rural communities, such as construction, farm, and agricultural jobs or seasonal employment, many Spanish speakers cannot find a Spanish speaking church.
“Even if they can’t go to church, they’re still going to hear the gospel through this outreach, and we can connect with those in our demographic who are ‘harder to find.’”
Sanchez says that he is thrilled to be able to partner with Hispanic pastors and provide them an avenue for reaching those beyond the four walls of their church.
“A lot of Hispanic people are in Kentucky but are dispersed in rural areas. There aren’t Hispanic neighborhoods, they’re scattered. So, we found this is the best way to reach Hispanics and, because we are the only Spanish speaking radio station, we have no competition and they hear the gospel,” Sanchez says.
Radio Latido has since been granted seven other low-frequency permits and is partnering with local pastors to curate live, on-air content. By enlisting area pastors, Sanchez explains, they will have a voice that reaches those who would not normally be able to attend a church service or hear the gospel in their native language.
Toledo, who also planted a Hispanic church after moving to Kentucky, says that during his morning show, “Ya Canto El Gallo”, which is loosely translated “The Rooster Crowed,” he shares information about the day, plays Christian music, and uses different expressions to present Scripture.
“I do a devotional, 20 minutes of just reading the Word, I mix music, I do talks, people can call in live, and I connect things going on in the news to the gospel. I also give calls for salvation and do the salvation prayer,” explains Toledo.
Sanchez states that the amount of engagement from the Spanish speaking community has been incredible, and the testimonies they hear are demonstrating the fruitfulness of this effort.
“One guy who had just moved into the area with his wife and child were connected to a church because they found our radio station,” he says. “They had been living in their van and the church helped them get food and find housing. And that’s just one of the many testimonies.”
Sanchez and Radio Latido are finalizing fundraising for the launch of their new stations across both metro and rural cities in Kentucky. They plan to continue to “keep God’s Word primary and help others get where God wants them to be, no matter where they are.”
by the General Council of the Assemblies of God