District expands broadcast ministry

By Laura Brewster
The McAllen District is expanding its broadcast messages about God’s love.
The district aired a new television commercial on a Corpus Christi station earlier this month. It invited people to visit a United Methodist Church in South Texas this Easter.
Corpus Christi is not in the McAllen District. However, many residents in the northern part of the McAllen District tune to television stations in the Corpus Christi market.
The Rev. Jason Fry, First UMC, Kingsville, welcomed the dis-trict’s effort.
“Television advertising aimed at the northern portion of our district is going to help us,” he said. “Television advertising is effective. People watch television, and people in this area look to the Corpus market.”
The commercial aired in the Corpus market was designed to sound like a love letter from God. It ended with a reminder that The United Methodist Church is open to all people. A Website address was included on the screen to help viewers find a UMC near them.
Plans are being made to air a different commercial in the Corpus market in August to reach people during “back to school” season. In addition, commercials will be aired before Christmas.
Meanwhile, a television advertising campaign continues in the Rio Grande Valley. Advertising in both the Corpus Christi market and in the Rio Grande Valley is being paid for through apportionment dollars.