By: Abby Bennett
With a yard full of fruit trees and a heart full of love, Daneli Hentschel spent the first five years of her life playing with cousins and attending school. Then she and her family transferred life from a little house in Mexico to the chilly frontier of Illinois. Cold winters and foreign faces were a challenging transition, but Hentschel knew she would learn to thrive.
In high school, the pioneering senior toured Shine.FM while visiting Olivet. She was drawn to the university by favorable interactions with Carl Fletcher and Brian Utter. Once enrolled, she jumped right in. Hentschel’s professors employed her passion and talent to launch the area’s first Spanish Christian radio station–within a year. Depending heavily on Utter’s expertise, Hentschel became Brilla’s first music director in 2014.
The station has since purchased two additional signals in Indiana, established an online presence, and expanded internationally. Listeners in more than forty countries receive hope and truth on the air waves, from Canada to Bolivia to Israel.
But Brilla is more than a media platform. It is a voice, vessel, and venue for God’s faithfulness. It promotes “feelings of inclusion and belonging” (study by Harvard University). And it occupies a cherished place in the hearts of its people.
Along with Hentschel that year, eleven other incomers were bilingual, offering to Utter the occasion for a Spanish Shine. A Spanish speaker himself, he was eager to follow God’s prompt. Not only is it an opportunity for students to create content in their heart language but also to enact transformation through collaboration–the mission of Shine.FM.
The goal is partnerships that change lives through Christ. This may transpire via companionship, spiritual guidance, or experiences by connecting with others. In fact, Brilla is planning its first Spanish concert for September 2022. New and dramatic, the festival will introduce Chicagoland to Olivet, putting ONU into the minds of Hispanics while promoting Christian artists.
This is merely one way Utter is casting vision for Brilla. As leader, he seeks more ways to reach as many people as possible. Hentschel too would love to witness team growth, as far as music selection and overnight hosts. She is optimistic regarding her involvement and God’s provision moving forward.
We can’t even imagine how far this ministry will go. It is fairly new and already having significant reach, so what will that look like as God continues to be faithful and put puzzle pieces together?
Daneli Hentschel, Olivet alumni & Brilla host
Why Spanish, though? Besides Olivetians, Kankakee County is home to over 10,000 Hispanics–almost 11% of the population, and increasing. In Goshen and Elkhart, Indiana, combined, Hispanics comprise close to 50%.
Research indicates that Hispanics value the transmission of their language, a need fulfilled by Spanish radio. Hentschel confirms the native tongue is most effective in connecting with an experience.
When they understand what they’re hearing and singing, it becomes about more than just the music.
It provides an opportunity for listeners to fully engage in worship, opening doors to learn more about God and their relationship with Him. Thousands are taking the opportunity.
The amount of people streaming Brilla heightened during the 2020 pandemic. This year, monthly hits on the stream are averaging 10,000. Between current advancements and future plans, the team is expectant.
For anyone interested in reaching the Hispanic community with creative, truthful content, Utter is pleased to welcome you. As he says, collaboration is how transformation happens.
Brian Utter: bjutter@olivet.edu
