ESNE

What ESNE does

ESNE (El Sembrador Nueva Evangelización / El Sembrador Ministries, Inc.) is a private Catholic lay apostolate founded in 1984 in Los Angeles, California, by Noel Díaz and canonically recognized under Canon 225§1. The organization operates an integrated Catholic media and evangelization platform serving Spanish-speaking Hispanic and Latino Catholic communities across the Americas, and increasingly English-speaking US Catholics through its 'The Sower' sub-brand. Its core operations are organized around weekly Encounter Assemblies at the founding parish of Santo Tomás Apostol, large-scale Metanoia congresses for women, men, couples, and youth drawing 8,000+ attendees per event, CDJ (Congreso de Jóvenes) youth conferences, and pilgrimages to sites including Medugorje, Rome, and Jerusalem.

The technical infrastructure centers on ESNE TV broadcast over the Intelsat 21 satellite (58.0° W, Transponder 23C, C-band DVB-S2 MPEG-4), reaching Continental Americas and Europe, with carriage on DirecTV under FCC Section 79.1(d) compliance; ESNE Radio distributed via esneradio.com and podcast platforms; and a mobile app available on iOS and Android (App Store ID: id641750078; Google Play: com.app_esne2.layout). A localized parish-distribution network called ESPA (El Sembrador Parroquial) operates across 9 parishes in California, Texas, and Mexico (Guadalajara, Tijuana, Mexicali), and additional operations span a Guadalajara studio producing programs including 'Siempre Alegres'.

ESNE is funded primarily through voluntary donations (online card, PayPal, bank deposit at Bank of America/Wells Fargo/Chase and Bancomer/Banamex, OXXO payments, mail, phone) including a recurring 'semilla' monthly giving program, supplemented by ticketed event revenue for Metanoia congresses, CDJ conferences, and pilgrimages sold via Eventbrite and physical outlets. The leadership is founder-led (Noel Díaz, Director y Fundador) with the organization operating from a headquarters at 20720 Marilla St., Chatsworth, CA 91311, and additional offices in Los Angeles, Guadalajara, Tijuana, and Mexicali; headcount is reported in the 11–50 range. The pending acquisition of KYND AM 1520 kHz in Cypress, Texas (FCC assignment application filed January 20, 2021) represents a notable broadcast-asset expansion.

Name

ESNE

Legal name

El Sembrador Ministries, Inc.

Website

https://elsembradorministries.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1984

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

ESNE (El Sembrador Ministries) is a Catholic lay apostolate that operates an integrated Spanish- and English-language evangelization platform — satellite TV, radio, mobile apps, parish chapters, and large-scale Metanoia congresses — serving Hispanic and Latino Catholic communities across the Americas.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Chatsworth

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices7 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Personnel, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Donations and Charitable Contributions: ESNE is a non-profit Catholic lay association (Canon 225§1) operating entirely on voluntary donations from supporters. Donation methods include online (credit/debit card via embedded form), PayPal, bank deposits in the US (Bank of America, Wells Fargo, Chase) and Mexico (Bancomer, Banamex), OXXO convenience store payments, mail-in checks/money orders, phone donations, and monthly 'semilla' (seed) recurring giving program.
2. Event Ticket Sales: ESNE sells tickets to in-person events including Metanoia congresses (for women, men, couples, youth, children), CDJ (Congreso de Jóvenes) youth conferences, and pilgrimages. Tickets are sold online via Eventbrite and at physical partner locations.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels7 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

ESNE is a Catholic lay evangelization ministry that produces and distributes religious content across multiple channels — satellite and online television (ESNE TV), live and on-demand radio (ESNE Radio), and a mobile app — while also hosting large in-person spiritual conversion congresses (Metanoia events for men, women, couples, youth, and children), youth conferences (CDJ), and pilgrimages to Marian and holy sites. Operations are sustained by voluntary donations and ticketed event registrations, with a grassroots parish network (ESPA) serving as local distribution across the US and Mexico.

Product overview

ESNE (El Sembrador Nueva Evangelización) is a Catholic lay evangelization ministry offering a multi-platform product portfolio centered on religious media and spiritual formation. The core offerings include ESNE TV (satellite and digital television broadcasting), ESNE Radio (live radio and podcast content), and the ESNE App (mobile application for iOS and Android). These primary media channels distribute programming including conferences (Conferencias ESNE), the Holy Rosary (El Santo Rosario), daily gospel readings (Evangelio del Día), Vatican news (Desde el Vaticano), prayers and novenas, and Noel Díaz's monthly newsletter (Carta del Mes) and published books. The product suite extends to event management through Eventos ESNE for ticketing Metanoia conferences and CDJ youth congresses, donation processing (Donaciones ESNE), pilgrimage services (Peregrinaciones), and parish ministry through ESPA. The English-language ministry is branded as The Sower. The architecture operates as a platform-plus-modules model where the TV, Radio, and App serve as the core distribution platforms, with conferences, events, pilgrimages, prayer services, and publications functioning as supplementary modules and sub-brands.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• ESNE TV: Catholic television channel broadcasting programming including La Hora del Encuentro, Catholic Congresses, concerts, and religious education content.
• ESNE Radio
• The Sower
• ESPA (El Sembrador Parroquial)
• Peregrinaciones ESNE
• CDJ (Congreso de Jóvenes)
• KYND

Products and services

• ESNE TV Catholic television channel broadcasting from Chatsworth CA studios, distributed via Intelsat 21 satellite (C-band DVB-S2 MPEG-4) and DirecTV across Continental Americas and Europe, featuring live Mass, conferences, concerts, documentaries, La Hora del Encuentro, Santa Misa, and devotional programming targeted at Spanish-speaking Catholic audiences.
• ESNE Radio Catholic radio station and online streaming service offering live broadcasts, programming guides, podcasts, and multiple station channels for evangelization content in Spanish and English.
• ESNE Mobile App Mobile application available on iOS App Store and Google Play Store providing access to ESNE TV, ESNE Radio, prayers, novenas, events, and donation services for Catholic audiences worldwide.
• Metanoia Conferences Ticketed in-person spiritual conversion congresses targeting specific demographics including women, men, couples, and youth, with events held across the US drawing 8,000+ attendees per congress.
• CDJ (Congreso de Jóvenes) Youth Conferences Ticketed youth congress event series featuring spiritual transformation conferences for young Catholics, with 2026 events announced under the 'Uniquely Made' theme ('Tu Creador Te Hizo Único').
• Peregrinaciones ESNE (Pilgrimages) Pilgrimage services organizing trips to Marian shrines and holy sites including Medugorje, Rome, and Jerusalem, with trip planning, reservations, and a deposit-based payment schedule.
• The Sower English Ministry English-language Catholic ministry of El Sembrador providing radio broadcasts, a newsletter, parish locations directory, and the Holy Rosary in English to English-speaking Catholics in the US.
• ESPA (El Sembrador Parroquial) Parish Ministry Parish-level evangelization ministry providing weekly Encounter Assembly meetings at 9 partner parishes across California (Los Angeles, San Bernardino, Coachella, Castroville) and Mexico (Tijuana, Mexicali).
• Casa Hogar Casa María Inmaculada Foster home and shelter program providing care for children and families, operated as a separate ministry initiative under the Sembrando Sonrisas (Sowing Smiles) outreach.
• Noel Díaz Books Published books by ESNE founder Noel Díaz including Mamá Chuy una fe sin fronteras, Mujer ¿por qué lloras? Vol 1 and 2, Señor enséñame a orar, Pensamientos que transforman, and El poder transformador de las palabras.
• Noel Díaz Podcast Podcast series featuring founder Noel Díaz's spiritual teachings and reflections, distributed on Spotify.
• Donaciones ESNE (Donation Platform) Online and offline donation platform accepting contributions to support El Sembrador Ministries operations via credit/debit cards, PayPal, US bank deposits (Bank of America, Wells Fargo, Chase), Mexico bank deposits (Bancomer, Banamex), OXXO convenience store payments, mail-in checks/money orders, phone donations, and a monthly 'semilla' (seed) recurring giving program.

Quantifiable outcome

• 8,000+ attendees per Catholic congress event
• +1 more outcomes

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered minor, core and major.

• Pro Broadcasting, Inc. (KYND AM Station)minorOthers · 20 January 2021On January 20, 2021, Pro Broadcasting, Inc. (licensee of AM station KYND 1520 kHz, Cypress, Texas) filed with the FCC for consent to assign the license to El Sembrador Ministries. This represents a potential radio expansion through acquisition of an existing broadcast license.
• Archdiocese of Los Angeles (Archbishop José H. Gómez)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerESNE maintains a fraternal relationship with Archbishop José H. Gómez of Los Angeles. The organization conducts weekly Encounter Assemblies at Santo Tomás Apostol Parish, which is under the Archdiocese's jurisdiction.
• Dicastery for Communications of the VaticancoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerESNE collaborates with the Vatican's Dicastery for Communications in its work of evangelization, with a relationship of mutual cooperation. Noel Díaz has conducted interviews with Pope Francis and Pope León XIV.
• Vatican NewsmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerESNE's coverage of Vatican events and Noel Díaz's interviews with the Pope are reported by Vatican News, lending significant earned-media credibility to the organization.
• DirecTV (FCC Section 79.1(d) compliant)majorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorESNE TV is broadcast via DirecTV as a compliant broadcaster under FCC Section 79.1(d) rules, with quarterly certifications filed and public files maintained. Jennifer Molina, Content Contracts & Compliance Specialist at DirecTV/AT&T, is the designated contact.
• ESPA Parish Network (9 Parishes)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorESPA (El Sembrador Parroquial) is a network of 9 parishes in the US and Mexico that deliver ESNE's evangelization content at the local level: Santo Tomás Apostol (Los Angeles), San Carlos Borromeo (San Bernardino), Nuestra Señora de la Soledad (Coachella), Nuestra Señora del Refugio (Castroville), Guadalupe del Río (Tijuana), Espíritu Santo (Mexicali), St. Frances of Rome, and Saint Clare of Assisi (English).
• EventbritemajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorESNE uses Eventbrite as its primary online ticketing platform for Metanoia congresses and CDJ youth conferences. Eventbrite handles ticket sales for events including CDJ 2026 'Uniquely Made' and 'Tu Creador Te Hizo Único'.
• Apple Inc. (iOS App Store)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorESNE distributes its mobile app through Apple's iOS App Store (App Store ID: el-sembrador/id641750078), making its content available to iOS device users globally.
• Google LLC (Google Play Store)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorESNE distributes its mobile app through Google Play Store (com.app_esne2.layout), making its content available to Android device users globally.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Shalom Media Catholic: Catholic media organization with TV, radio, and digital channels including Spanish-language content. Comparable to ESNE in multi-platform Catholic evangelization targeting Hispanic and global Catholic communities.
• Word on Fire Catholic Ministries: Catholic evangelization media ministry producing Bishop Robert Barron's content across YouTube, streaming, and publishing. Comparable to ESNE as a high-profile personality-led Catholic media organization funded primarily by donations.
• EWTN (Eternal Word Television Network): The largest Catholic broadcasting network globally, operating multiple TV channels (including EWTN en Español), radio, and a major digital presence. Directly comparable to ESNE TV as a Catholic TV broadcaster serving Hispanic and broader Catholic audiences.
• Relevant Radio: Catholic-focused radio network in the United States with terrestrial stations, streaming, and mobile apps. Directly comparable to ESNE Radio in format, audience (English-speaking Catholics), and donation-driven funding.
• CatholicTV: US Catholic television broadcaster distributed via cable, satellite, and online streaming. Directly comparable to ESNE TV's operating model of producing and distributing Catholic programming to a national audience.

Regional players

• NET TV (National Evangelization Television): Catholic broadcasting network serving the Philippines with TV, radio, and digital platforms. Comparable to ESNE in non-profit Catholic media operating model but different geographic footprint.
• Salt + Light Catholic Media Foundation: Canadian Catholic broadcaster with TV, radio, and digital channels serving English and Spanish-speaking Catholics. Comparable to ESNE in mission, multi-platform approach, and donation-based funding, though regionally distinct.

Broad incumbents

• Trinity Broadcasting Network (TBN): Large-scale Christian broadcasting network with multiple channels and global satellite distribution. Comparable to ESNE TV in free-to-air satellite broadcasting model, though broader (non-Catholic) and substantially larger.

Emerging players

• EWTN en Español: Spanish-language vertical of EWTN providing Catholic programming to Hispanic audiences across the Americas. Direct head-to-head with ESNE TV's core Spanish-language audience, though backed by the much larger EWTN organization.
• Relevant Radio en Español / Guadalupe Radio: Spanish-language Catholic radio offerings in the US. Comparable to ESNE Radio as a Spanish-language Catholic radio distribution channel targeting the same Hispanic Catholic audience.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/elsembradoresne
• YouTubeyoutube.com/c/ESNEELSEMBRADOR
• Facebookfacebook.com/elsembradoresne
• Instagraminstagram.com/elsembradoresne

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Subsidiaries2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about ESNE