Hope Channel - News

Explosive New Growth!

Tue, 31 Aug 2010 21:28:00 +0000

People on every continent—more than two million souls—have been added to God’s Kingdom as a direct result of Hope Channel’s ministry. That’s more than 2,000,000! Can you say “Amen!”? Among these recently baptized members are government and academic leaders, business and societal leaders, famous entertainers and athletes, regular people from every walk of life, tribal leaders, religious leaders, and even a one-time member of the United Nation’s most-wanted terrorists list! But our humble efforts are not the source of this immense success. We credit Christ alone for the abundant harvest and for how He has moved the hearts of those who support Hope Channel with their prayers and finances. Our prayer is that through the witness and commitment of the Adventist people, millions more will turn their hearts and be ready for Jesus’ soon return! For example, Susan was watching the news last summer and was really depressed about all the bad news. She switched to the onscreen program guide and saw the word “Hope” and wondered what the channel was all about. She flipped to Hope Channel and began watching…and learning. Life-changing moments like this are repeated regularly around the world. Susan was raised as a Roman Catholic and her husband, Jim, was raised as a Lutheran. When they married, they joined the Episcopal Church because they believed it was a faith in which they could share and raise their four boys. But God was already working because Susan bought some of those very recognizable blue Bible Storybooks, and read them to her family. Seeds were planted, but the harvest was yet to come. After the boys were grown, Susan and Jim felt their church was not truly following the Bible and stopped attending for about five years. Susan said that when she and Jim found Hope Channel that it was like “two starving people finding food!” Before long, they realized that the people on Hope Channel were Seventh-day Adventists. Susan contacted a nearby church and spoke with the pastor. They began attending regularly the midweek and Sabbath Services, and were baptized in January 2010. God used Hope Channel to bring those seeds to life and prepare a harvest. Even so, the tender new plants were casting some seeds of their own… Since their baptism, Susan and Jim have invited a neighbor, Dan, to attend a Bible seminar. Dan was so excited about the meetings that he attended every night and brought at least 20 people with him at different times. Susan and Jim were so grateful that Hope Channel was there, saying “It was God-planned.” People telling people, sharing newfound truths and directing others to Hope Channel…it’s an ordained model for success. In less than seven years, God has grown the Hope Channel network from one channel to 10 channels on 12 satellites with 16 different satellite footprints. In addition, the Church has providentially acquired national broadcast licenses in many countries. Approximately 98 percent of the world’s population lives under the footprint of one of Hope Channel’s terrestrial or satellite signals. More than one billion people can watch Hope Channel via direct-to-home satellite service, cable, and hundreds of local church-owned TV stations. In 2010 your television network is adding full-time broadcasts for China, India, Russia, and in Arabic for the Middle East, each featuring local talent and local content in a local context—giving our broadcasts instant credibility and appeal. Hope Channel produces relevant programs that get results by ministering to the needs of people and winning their hearts within the context of their own culture—just like Susan and Jim, only on a global scale. Just as exciting is Hope Channel’s growing Internet presence over more than 200 websites. Today, all full time channels are streaming online, along with online-only channels for Norway, Korea, China, Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, and Spain. The Adventist message has never before in the history of our church had the mass communication penetration to such vast and diverse populations as it is experiencing today through God’s use of Hope Channel. With this explosive growth and dynamic change, the core philosophy of Hope Channel remains unchanged— to present Hope as it is in Jesus—optimistic, joyful, positive, practical, inspirational, informed, authentic Hope! And in so doing, faithfully proclaim the unique, end-time messages given in Scripture. New channels, new easier-to-reach TV audiences, new media centers, new satellites, new languages, new supplementary media, and new programming. These and many other blessings from God characterize Hope Channel’s unequaled growth and global gospel influence, enabling us to faithfully and successfully broadcast the everlasting gospel and the eternal three angels’ messages of Revelation 14 to a spiritually hungry world. Join us in praising God for the many miracles and blessings from the last few years. And we especially want to thank you who advance Hope Channel with your prayers and gifts of financial support. God bless you!

Develop Your Own Hope Channel Station

Tue, 31 Aug 2010 20:32:00 +0000

You know that deep desire of yours to reach your community for Christ? Here’s one way to do it: Provide a TV signal (it’s easier than you think) and Hope Channel will give you all the Christ-centered, soul-winning programming you need! Before you pass it off as impossible, consider this: Low Power Television (LPTV) stations can be owned and operated by organizations or individuals. A committed, organized person working in harmony with the Holy Spirit will find all the resources they need. Oftentimes local Conferences and Unions have funds and other resources for local evangelism that can be used for this method of efficient and effective missionary outreach. And when your pastor and congregation catch your vision, you’ll find that God can easily put all the pieces together for you. The good news is that LPTV stations are relatively inexpensive, and simple to install and operate. The most important step, and maybe the easiest, is to find a local broadcast engineer who can help you find an available local channel and tower site, and guide you toward the correct equipment. “In the US there is a huge opportunity for LPTV stations,” says Don Martin, an attorney specializing in broadcast regulations. “As of January 25, applications for any location in the US were being accepted on a firstcome first-served basis, and all applications are to be for digital stations. This means each station will have the capability to broadcast several program streams simultaneously.” The new FCC regulations in the US allow a new station operator to broadcast Hope Channel, Hope Church Channel, and Esperanza TV to their community. LPTV is an economical way to transmit television programs to anybody with a common external or “rabbit ears” antenna. By definition, LPTV covers a smaller area than a standard TV station (up to 20 miles depending on terrain) but with much less expense. We receive reports from around the world of people who show up at their local church, many times ready for baptism, because of what they’ve learned by watching Hope Channel in their community! As God’s partner you can change your community and grow your church as everyone in your area learns about Jesus and Bible truth on their own televisions televisions— anytime of the day. Share Hope Channel in your community so they can be ready for Jesus’ soon return! We’ll provide a unique mix of award winning inspirational, educational, Christ-centered programming. You can also localize your station by inserting your own locally produced programs. Combining local programs with the professional quality of Hope Channel will send a positive and inviting message to your neighbors to meet Jesus and attend your church. To get started, just ask for Hope Channel’s LPTV brochure by calling 888-4-HOPE-TV (888-446-7388) in the US or +1-269-471-6050 for international callers.

Reverse Parenting? Discover Seeds of Greatness

Tue, 31 Aug 2010 20:19:00 +0000

If the idea of reverse parenting sounds a little, well, backward, you are probably not alone. But if hindsight is truly 20/20, then you’ll definitely want to have a look at Hope Channel’s new series, Seeds of Greatness! Seeds of Greatness starts with the product of successful parenting— a Christian known for outstanding achievement and character—and unpacks his or her story, revealing what the parents did right and what other factors led to success. This unique approach offers moms and dads today an unusual view of the building blocks of a meaningful life, and gives them ways they can help their children develop the uncommon character traits found in some of the world’s most prominent Christians. Barry Black, United States Senate chaplain; Rebekah Wang Cheng, medical director of Kettering Medical Center; and Israel Chambi, neurological surgeon, are just a few of the accomplished guests interviewed by Seventh-day Adventist world-church vice president, Ella Simmons, PhD. Simmons takes her guests backward in time, examining their life experiencesto reveal the challenges they faced, the advantages they were blessed with, and the lessons their parents taught them. She matches their stories with the character traits they exemplify—traits any parent would want their children to develop. For example, Simmons’ interview with Dr. Albert Reece, Dean of the University of Maryland School of Medicine, reveals that he signs all his e-mail messages: “In relentless pursuit of excellence.” His episode brings into special focus the importance of working toward excellence. As she interviews Andrew McChesney, Moscow Times editor-in-chief, it becomes clear that a key factor in his success and a value central to his thinking is diligence. Through the stories of other guests, themes of gratitude, integrity, patience, and courage come center stage, and parents will learn how these character traits may be planted as seeds to take root and bear fruit in their own children’s lives. Hope Channel invites you let hindsight be your foresight, and to shift into reverse with Seeds of Greatness! Discover how to plant time-tested seeds of Christian achievement, and watch “backward” take your family forward!

Changing Faiths- Building Faith

Tue, 31 Aug 2010 20:07:00 +0000

Susan was really depressed by all the bad news on TV. She flipped through the on-screen program guide, saw the word “Hope,” and wondered what the channel was about. She began watching…and learning. Susan and her husband Jim were raised in different faiths. When they married, they joined yet another denomination that they could share. After raising their family, they felt that their church was not truly following the Bible and eventually stopped attending. That’s when she found Hope Channel. “It was like two starving people finding food,” says Susan. As they watched and learned, the thought they would have to convert to Judaism because the people on Hope Channel talked about the Sabbath as Saturday. But after watching a little longer they realized that Hope Channel was Seventh-day Adventist. They found a nearby church, began attending, and were baptized in January 2010. “We were so grateful that Hope Channel was there. It was God-planned.” Since their baptism, Susan and Jim have invited a neighbor to attend a Bible seminar. He was so excited about what he was learning that he attended every night and brought at least 20 different people with him.

Celebration of Creation

Thu, 19 Aug 2010 00:00:00 +0000

Tim Standish, host of the new Hope Channel series, Celebration of Creation, closes every show with the byline, “as Bible-believing Christians, we don’t have all the answers, but the answers we do have are very good.” And because the program includes scientists with expertise in a range of scientific disciplines to provide those answers, he says this on good authority. The series was recently recorded at the Hope Channel studio in Loma Linda, California. Molecular biologist Tim Standish, Ph.D., and geologist Elaine Kennedy, Ph.D., co-host the 17-episode documentary based on the solid biblical and scientific evidence in support of a literal six-day creation. The Seventh-day Adventist church strongly believes in the biblical account of creation, even as other Christian communities are drifting away from this vital biblical doctrine. This series is one important way in which Hope Channel and the Adventist church seek to re-affirm that commitment and to present evidence encouraging this point of view. Celebration of Creation gives believers confidence in this foundational principle and non-believers a valid, scientifically based alternative to consider. The series draws heavily on the Celebration of Creation event presented by outstanding Adventist scholars and scientists at the Loma Linda University church on October 23 and 24, 2009. Presenters for that series, which was originally aired live by Hope Channel, included John Baldwin, Leonard Brand, Art Chadwick, Dick Davidson, JoAnn Davidson, Raul Esperante, Jim Gibson, Cliff Goldstein, Ronny Nalin, Tim Standish, Ted Wilson, Randy Younker, and Ed Zinke. Their presentations have been incorporated into in an engaging and informative TV series which takes on the hard issues of the scientific, biblical, and philosophical reasons why we can have faith in the biblical account. The entire series strongly affirms the historic Adventist teaching of special creation in six literal days. While not all questions have been entirely addressed, plans call for many more programs to be prepared for this series; and as Standish says, “the answers we do have are very good.”

Two Mayors Find Hope and Proclaim Their Newfound Faith

Thu, 19 Aug 2010 00:00:00 +0000

One of Brazil’s most popular big city mayors struggled with the implications of being baptized and what it would mean to his political career. One day he and his family experienced a terrible car accident where their lives were miraculously spared. Deeply convicted that this was a “wake-up call,” he and his family decided to fully commit to Jesus. Shortly after, the “Future with Hope” satellite event with Pastor Mark Finley was broadcast to all of South America by Novo Tempo, Hope Channel in Brazil. The mayor and his family were baptized in a beautiful ceremony broadcast across the continent. Meanwhile, far away, another mayor was watching the program with his wife and a friend. His wife and her friend were the only Adventists in the entire city! While witnessing the well-known mayor’s baptism, he was overcome with conviction. “If a mayor of such a large city will publically commit to be baptized as a Seventh-day Adventist, so can I,” he declared. Weeping with conviction, he knelt before his television and committed his life to Jesus and decided to be baptized. Soon after, he gave a gift of land on which to build a church and issued the church a license with which to broadcast Hope Channel throughout the region.

Can you solve Parker's Puzzle?

Thu, 19 Aug 2010 00:00:00 +0000

Now here’s a puzzle: Sunday morning Junior brings you a banana-boat breakfast in bed, then runs outside for a quick workout. Minutes later he’s back with plans to eradicate poverty and asks your thoughts on his spiritual gifts. What’s up with him? Mom, Dad, he’s been watching Parker’s Puzzle! On Parker’s Puzzle, real-life P.E. teacher, Mr. Richie, and his virtual parrot, Parker, get Junior and his friends excited about the things that really count. From fitness and healthful cooking, to wisdom for problem solving and a focus on the Bible’s most important truths, Mr. Richie and Parker deliver value and purpose with fun. From the get-go, kids are mentally searching for edge pieces and corners as they puzzle over how a balloon or a light bulb could reveal the most important idea of the episode. Next they’re on the move to keep up with Mr. Richie as he executes simple twists, crunches, and spins, showing kids how to have fun while they stay fit. Then it’s off to Parker the Parrot’s kitchen to learn how to make healthful foods from fruit pizza to veggie robots. Mr. Richie shows up next in a paper-cutout world of motion and sound where learning values and problem-solving skills will become your kids’ favorite activity. Before kids know it, they’re going hands-on with the Bible and they’re popping in mental puzzle pieces that link balloons to creation, and show what light bulbs reveal about the Great Controversy. Exercise, healthful cooking, Christian values and Bible truth—you want them to mean as much to your kids as they do to you! Turn on Parker’s Puzzle, let your kids watch, and watch your kids learn. They’ll solve Parker’s Puzzle and maybe the problem of poverty too. And when you wake up to a banana-boat breakfast in bed, well, now you won’t be too puzzled!

What Makes HOPE Channel UNIQUE?

Tue, 17 Aug 2010 00:00:00 +0000

What Makes HOPE Channel UNIQUE? Several days ago someone posed the question to me: “What makes Hope Channel unique and special?” Reflecting on the past five years, I thought of how God has blessed more and more and more. I rejoice! It has been amazing growth! So here is my answer to what makes Hope Channel unique: 1. More baptisms. Evangelism is why Hope Channel exists. Hope Channel has broadcast more than 200 major satellite NET events, conservatively adding more than two million baptized souls to God’s Church. 2. More programs. When we started we had only about 2,000 programs in our inventory. Today 65 media centers have produced more than 25,000 culturally diverse programs to prepare people for the Second Coming. This is unprecedented. 3. More unique doctrinal programming. Several times every year we broadcast the most comprehensive TV documentary series available on the Sabbath and its history. We are currently broadcasting 17 new programs on Creationism. Evangelistic series present all our doctrines. Hope Channel is faithfully proclaiming the vital Bible teachings for today. 4. More variety. We love good preaching and evangelism, but to reach even more people, our children’s, youth, family, mission, health, music, and documentary programs give more and more captivating variety—and compelling reasons to watch. 5. More cultural diversity. With 65 media centers producing programming around the world, Hope Channel increasingly represents more cultural diversity than it ever has. 6. More channels. We started with one channel. Today we have 10 full-time channels serving the globe. In coming weeks we will add three more new channels. 7. More languages. Our first channels were in Portuguese, then English. Today we have full-time channels in Portuguese, English (2), Spanish (2), Romanian, and German. NET events are broadcast in dozens of languages. Shortly we will start full-time separate satellite channels for Mandarin, Russian, Middle Eastern, and Indian languages. 8. More churches. I remember the first NET event. Only a few hundred churches were involved. Today we have lost count of how many churches are equipped for Hope Channel satellite evangelism, but we estimate it is now more than 35,000. 9. More studios and media centers. Many of the 65 studios and media centers producing for Hope Channel have been added in the last several years. The General Conference has supplied a new headquarters studio (above) for Hope Channel indicating the top priority of digital media to communicate the gospel. 10. More satellites. We now have contracts for broadcasting on 12 satellites. And as I write we are negotiating contracts for three more satellites. More than 400 church-owned TV stations are now part of the network. Hundreds of cable networks carry Hope Channel daily. 11. More satellite footprints. Currently we use 16 C-band and Ku-band satellite footprints to proclaim the Three Angels’ Message and soon we will add another three footprints. 12. More service: Our distribution satellites have recently been reconfigured to deliver Hope Channel TV and up to seven radio channels. This is to provide network feeds for TV and now also radio. Combined with Internet this convergence of media empowers each local church to provide a full-time local Adventist media presence in their community. People can listen to Adventist radio, watch Adventist TV, and respond via Adventist Internet sites. 13. More ownership. As the official TV network of the world church we have more accountability. Our personnel, programming, travel, and finances are audited and carefully guided by the world church. Tens of thousands of churches and homes worldwide are equipped to receive at least one of the many Hope Channels. Thousands of new programs are produced featuring church members and leaders. Tens of thousands of viewers are baptized. All are signs of increasing “ownership” by leaders and millions of members around the world. More support? Well, I guess that depends on you! And you have been so supportive! Hope Channel is a viewer supported ministry. If it was not for dedicated supporters like you who pray and financially support Hope Channel, all the above “mores” would not have happened! THANK YOU VERY, VERY MUCH! After all Hope Channel belongs to God and you. And we humbly ask for continued and expanded support—in prayers and finances—to meet the needs of expanding to China, India, the Middle East, and Russia. Your gifts make an incredible difference in the lives of millions! As you continue to pray for Hope Channel remember that God can do more in response to our prayers than He could if we did not pray. So let’s pray more! Yours in His service, Pastor Brad Thorp Hope Channel President

Fixed Income for Life

Tue, 17 Aug 2010 00:00:00 +0000

Have credit default swaps, collateralized mortgage obligations, financial derivatives, property foreclosures, stock market dives, and a deep recession made you nervous? Has the recent government trillion-plus dollar bailout of banks, insurance, and auto companies caused you to re-evaluate your own financial requirements? If you need fixed monthly income that is unaffected by the current financial meltdown, consider the benefits of a charitable gift annuity. A charitable gift annuity is an extraordinary way to make a gift, increase your income and slice your tax bill—all in one transaction! Our charitable gift annuity program was created as a service to our many friends who have expressed a desire to make a gift of significance, while still retaining income from the gift property during their lives. A charitable gift annuity is a contract in which you exchange a gift of cash or securities for a fixed income each year of your life (or for the lives of two people). Your gift annuity offers 5 distinct advantages: 1. INCOME FOR LIFE—at attractive payout rates 3 or 4 times higher than bank CDs; 2. TAX DEDUCTION SAVINGS—a large part of what you transfer is a deductible charitable gift; 3. TAX-FREE PAYOUT—a large part of your annual payment is tax-free; 4. CAPITAL GAINS TAX SAVINGS—when you contribute securities for a gift annuity, you minimize any taxes on your profit; 5. PERSONAL SATISFACTION—from making a gift of lasting significance by advancing the successful soul-winning ministry of Hope Channel. Call Al Navarro today and he can send a proposal showing how a charitable gift annuity benefits you and Hope Channel. 888-339-PLAN (7526)

Beyond My Wildest Dreams

Tue, 17 Aug 2010 00:00:00 +0000

As I stood nervously peering through the stage curtains into the largely empty 500 seat auditorium in Meriden, Connecticut, I wondered if anyone would attend our evangelistic meeting that evening. Eventually a little more than 100 people came. They were scattered throughout that large auditorium. Although our Discoveries in Prophecy evangelistic meetings were held in this little Connecticut town nearly thirty five years ago, I still remember longing for the day when I might preach to thousands. If someone would have told me in the 1970’s that my audience that night of 100 would be multiplied 1000 times to reach more than one million people in a single evangelistic meeting, I would have thought they were grossly exaggerating, or maybe even crazy. I had faith but it certainly did not stretch that far. An audience of one million people was beyond my wildest dreams. Yet God had a plan to finish His work that we never even dreamed of decades ago. God’s promise is clear, “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways my ways, says the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts.” (Isaiah 55:8, 9) God’s plans are always, larger, greater, grander than we can imagine. In November of 2009, I conducted my 23rd NET satellite evangelistic series. This time the series was sent via our South American Hope Channel affiliate Novo Tempo from the capital city, Brasilia, to the entire country of Brazil. The meetings were transmitted live to nearly 10,000 locations throughout the country with over one million people in attendance. Estimates are that attendance peaked at 300,000 non-Adventist guests and that 135,000 people made decisions for baptism during the series. Satellite evangelism via Hope Channel has made a dramatic difference for the speedy proclamation of the Three Angels’ Messages. Since the inception of satellite evangelism in 1995 there have been more than 200 evangelistic NET meetings conducted via satellite on Hope Channel in every division of the world field resulting in more than two million baptisms. The main purpose of Hope Channel is leading people to Jesus and His end-time truth. Evangelism is at the heart of why Hope Channel exists. Every day, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year, God’s last-day message is proclaimed over Hope Channel to millions. Your prayers and financial contributions make a major difference in Hope Channel’s soul-winning ministry. As chairman of Hope Channel’s board of directors, and on behalf of the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists and reach of our world divisions, thank you for the support you give to this international ministry. I am confident that there will be people in heaven because of your sacrifice. God’s vision for this evangelistic network has just begun. Stay tuned…and watch our amazing God work even more miracles through Hope Channel. Mark A. Finley Chairman, Board of Directors

GC Session statements

Thu, 08 Jul 2010 07:11:00 +0000

Resolution of Global Poverty
Resolution on Creation
Resolution on Ending Violence Against Women
Resolution on Free Speech and Defamation
Resolution on Spirit of Prophecy
Resolution on the protection of children
Statement on Holy Bible

Hope Channel now on your iPhone

Mon, 21 Jun 2010 00:00:00 +0000

Hope Channel now on your iPhone Hope Channel released an app allowing users to watch three of its streaming channels live. Available for 99 cents at the iTunes shop, the app offers Hope Channel North America (English), Hope Channel Germany, and Hope Channel International. The app also offers a program guide. The app was developed by our team at our Stimme der Hoffnung (Voice of Hope) media center in Germany. To purchase the app, visit http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/hope-channel/id373523568?mt=8

Czech Hope Channel

Thu, 03 Jun 2010 21:39:00 +0000

God’s amazing provision is seen once again as State Television in the Czech Republic begins broadcasting Hope Channel programs designed for young people. “Beyond Horizons will be broadcast every Sunday morning for six months,” reports Bedrich Jetelina, Czech Hope Channel director. “This series of programs is the fruit of a long term collaboration between our media center and the editorial office for religious programs of the Czech State Television.” “Beyond Horizons” is a new Christian youth TV program offering alternative perspectives to secular viewers. Matous Ruml, a professional actor and presenter, and Jindrich Cernohorsky, a Seventh-day Adventist pastor, co-host. Well-known personalities will discuss subjects pertinent to young people such as extreme sports, astrology, and traditions. “Each episode features music from contemporary artists as well as a short reflection that offers a Biblical alternative to the prevailing contemporary consumerism. Our motivation in preparing this series is to help this mostly postmodern and secular generation to discover that the Bible and Christianity do offer a valuable alternative to the prevailing worldview and lifestyle,” says Jetelina. “We want them to know that the Biblical approach to life’s issues is realistic, functional, and fulfilling.”

New stations, studio, programs mark progress across Africa

Thu, 27 May 2010 00:00:00 +0000

Hope is spreading throughout the continent of Africa. The evidence of God’s presence and blessing can be seen during this past year as the ministry of Hope Channel across Africa has expanded. New state-of–the art TV studios have been completed in the South Africa Indian Ocean Division (SID). “We have a wonderful facility, excellent equipment and an amazing team,” says Andre Brink, SIDmedia director. “Now nothing will stop us from producing a huge amount of new programs that are contextual, interesting, and creative. The SIDmedia team, under the leadership of Pastor Pardon Mwansa, began in early 2004 in one simple classroom on the Helderberg College campus near Cape Town. Today it has grown to a 40-by-100-foot studio with room to house several sets. Two other studios are located nearby along with a permanent kitchen studio for cooking shows.

“This media center has been such a step of faith and represents so much sacrifice,” says Kandus Thorp, Hope Channel vice-president. “Today the dream is a reality. God has blessed through the sacrificial donations given by many viewers.”

The media center isn’t the only thing that is new in South Africa. SIDmedia, in partnership with Helderberg College, will offer a New Media Evangelism course. Students will learn the use of TV, Internet, and other new media to spread the gospel, and will receive training in evangelism and theology. Recently, nearly 200 programs for Project Hope South Africa were produced at the new media center. With the help of more than 30 volunteers this ambitious task was accomplished in just two weeks. Sets had to be built, logos designed, as well as audio and video produced. Again, God’s hand could be seen in the smallest of details. Programming plans for 2010 include new episodes of “34 Degrees South,” “Nature Speaks,” “Beyond Addiction,” and “My Story My Song—South Africa.” “We have recorded the 100th episode of ‘34 Degrees South,’” says Brink. “This special episode features excellent messages from Jan Paulsen, General Conference president, Paul Ratsara, SID president, and SID union presidents.” Nature is God’s second book and Paul Charles, PhD, will host a new show “Nature Speaks” which will air both on Hope Channel International and Hope Channel North America. Charles will show viewers interesting nature items and describe spiritual applications to build an insightful understanding of God’s character. “Beyond Addiction,” is for both young and old alike. Pastor Adrian Webster weaves an interesting journey on the dangers of different types of addictions with practical advice on how to overcome them. The “My Story My Song—South Africa,” series hosted by Kandus Thorp was filmed during a Festival of Hope in Cape Town. It was a multimedia gospel music extravaganza with more than 350 musicians and the famous Cape Philharmonic Orchestra. Thorp interviews artists from the Festival and shares some of their music with viewers. A two-DVD set can be purchased by sending an e-mail to info@sidmedia.org .

In addition to programming, Hope for Prisons is a growing outreach within the SID. During 2009 Hope Channel was installed in the 23 prisons in Botswana. Thirty-four of Zimbabwe’s prisons now have Hope Channel. Brink says the goal is to install Hope Channel in prisons in each union.

There is also exciting news within the East-Central Africa Division (EAD) where low power television stations will take Hope Channel to nine different language groups within the EAD. These low power stations are targeting the large population centers in Congo, Uganda, and Burundi. “We ask Hope Channel viewers around the world to pray for this effort to be blessed as we share Jesus with our brothers and sisters,” says Enoch Mogusu, Hope Channel’s regional representative. Anticipation is growing for the release of “Dawn of Hope.” Student video missionaries featured will give viewers an inside look of life in the mission field. Follow the journey of these three young people as they minister to HIV/AIDS orphans, interview missionary families, and even visit with a local natural healer as he shares how obtains his powers, charms, and amulets.

Door Hangers: Evangelism Efficiency

Thu, 20 May 2010 00:00:00 +0000

“Thank you Hope Channel for providing our family with one of the most delightful and uplifting activities of the year!” says Terri Saelee. “Our children can hardly wait to hand out more of the Hope Channel door hangers in our neighborhood. The Saelee family became involved in an evangelistic outreach to their community that was so easy a kid could do it. Now that Hope Channel is available on DIRECTV, channel 368, all they had to do was tell people to watch TV! "I learned about Hope Channel door hangers while visiting my friend, Karen,” says Saelee. “She gave me 200 pieces for our family to hand out.” The next Monday morning, Saelee role-played with her children how to place the hangers on the doors of neighborhood homes. “The children were so excited I could hardly keep up,” says Saelee. As the excitement built, the children saw a lady sitting in her car. “They asked if they could give her one,” says Saelee. “I said, ‘Sure,’ and the lady took it gratefully.” After that, the children handed door hangers to everyone they met on the street. “I told the children that people can get a discount on their DIRECTV subscription if they call the phone number listed on the door hanger,” says Saelee. “From that point on, my daughter would point out the number and tell people about the discount.” “This has been a wonderful way for our children to share their faith,” says Saelee. “The kind responses they received made the personal contacts a highlight of the activity. One of the boys told me, “I like doing this! I want people to know about Jesus!” Get in on the fun! Door hangers and leave-behind cards that tell about Hope Channel on DIRECTV are free to anyone who will distribute them in their community. Contact Susan Marcellino at SusanM@HopeTV.org or call 301-680-5221 for your free materials or to schedule a speaker to come to your church who can teach your congregation how to use Hope Channel to reach your community.

Live from Atlanta: Hope Channel to broadcast GC Session (Schedule Available)

Thu, 13 May 2010 00:00:00 +0000

Between June 23 and July 3, 2010, Hope Channel will broadcast nearly six hours daily from the 59th General Conference (GC) Session, live from the Georgia World Congress Center and Georgia Dome in Atlanta, Georgia. See schedule below. “Jesus is at the core of the variety of nationalities, cultures, and languages that make up the membership of our church,” says Hope Channel president Brad Thorp. “We have a common purpose to take the gospel to the world, but there are times that we must come together for planning, fellowship, and inspiration. The General Conference Session provides that family reunion time. If our viewers aren’t able to travel to Atlanta, they will have to go no further than their TV. Hope Channel wants to make the TV experience as good as being in Atlanta in person. “A General Conference Session is a unique occasion. There is no moment in the life of the Church which demonstrates so vividly—so tangibly—the extraordinary way God’s Spirit is moving among us,” said Seventh-day Adventist Church president Jan Paulsen in a separate interview. “Through these gatherings we powerfully affirm that we are one people, united in faith, and bound by our shared desire to be instruments of God’s purpose in the world.” Hope Channel will employ a team of about 100 people in order to provide the GC session programming, using about 25 cameras to gather taped footage as well as to provide live coverage. Viewers will be able to watch the daily morning and evening devotionals, including the colorful reports from the 13 world divisions. “These reports are important to us as a church family,” says Thorp. “They highlight God’s advancement of His work throughout the world. Jesus gave us a commission to take the gospel to the entire world. It’s important for church members to receive inspiration and celebrate it corporately. Hope Channel will bring it all right into your home.” Other daily programming during the session includes a one-hour live version of Hope Channel’s news and inspiration program, “World of Hope.” Viewers will get up-to-the-moment interviews of people from around the world sharing their stories of hope. “The convention and the exhibit hall have lives of their own and we want our viewers to see those aspects of the event,” says Thorp. “Hearing the stories of church family from around the world broadens our horizons and deepens our understanding of our part in the Great Commission as a church family.” A daily news program produced by the communication department of the Seventh-day Adventist Church will report the actions, issues, and elections during the business session of the church. The programming from the GC session will be broadcast live for East Coast viewers, with a rebroadcast for West Coast viewers. “This scheduling will allow everyone in North America that has Hope Channel the chance to tune into the GC session,” says Thorp. Other of the network’s global channels will also broadcast the event in a variety of languages. Hope Channel will also have a major interactive display in the center of the exhibition hall, featuring a media wall displaying each of the network’s 14 channels. Representatives from each channel and media center will be on hand to tell about their programming and how to use Hope Channel for evangelism in different parts of the world. Well-known speakers, musicians, and hosts from various Hope Channel programs will also be available in person to greet viewers. “Each day we will be producing ‘World of Hope’ from a stage at the Hope Channel exhibit,” says Thorp. “Visitors can become a part of the audience and see how a live production is done.” The exhibit will also feature the concepts of integration and convergence, demonstrating how Hope Channel and its supporters can work with communities to prepare people for Jesus’ second coming. “When a church uses an integrated plan of evangelism, utilizing Hope Channel and other resources, they will have a full-time community presence,” explains Thorp. “This will be a perfect opportunity for anyone who is interested in more information on how to establish this type of presence in their community. We will have representatives available to provide information about how to accomplish this type of ministry.” Hope Channel is the exclusive producer and broadcaster of the GC session. “We will make our programming available free of charge to other broadcast entities, such as Loma Linda Broadcasting Network and 3ABN,” says Thorp. Download: Hope Channel Broadcast Schedule for North & Central America

Australia: Programs changing lives

Fri, 07 May 2010 15:21:00 +0000

God is touching the hearts of people in Australia through programming on Hope Channel. “The word is spreading that Hope Channel programming is family-friendly,” says Calvyn Townend, Hope Channel coordinator for the Australian Union Conference. Townend was recently cleaning the gutters on his roof when his neighbor, Phil, called up to him, “Calvyn, I need your help installing my satellite dish.” “Phil is a family man and represents the new wave of people who are installing Hope Channel,” says Townend. “With 220 new half-hour programs introduced this year, it has made a major impact on the number of installations and viewer support.” One lady reported that as she was stopped at a traffic light, another car signaled for her to pull over. The driver had seen the Hope Channel sticker in her car window and wanted to know how to subscribe. “An Indian brother told me how, after more than 20 years of resistance, his wife had been baptized because of Hope Channel programming,” says Townend. “That’s what Hope Channel is all about!”

Philippine studio inaugurated

Fri, 30 Apr 2010 00:00:00 +0000

It was a high day and one filled with a sense of God’s blessing and miraculous guidance as the Hope Channel Media Center Philippines was inaugurated at the South Philippine Union Conference headquarters in Cagayan de Oro City. “This Philippine media center is contributing much to the well-being of Hope Channel, and thus all our viewers, through the production and editing skills of our Philippine counterparts,” says Kandus Thorp, vice-president of Hope Channel. Prominent guests, officers, and friends from the Seventh-day Adventist world headquarters, Southern Asia-Pacific Regional Office, and Philippine government officials attended the ceremony. “The all-volunteer staff is to be commended,” says Thorp. “They took a great step of faith and commitment. Today they produce two hours of programming to the network weekly. This is a profound example of taking what you have and asking God to bless your efforts.” One of the highlights of the day included a 50-car motorcade that drove through town bedecked with balloons and messages proclaiming the ministry of Hope Channel.

Hope Channel, Esperanza TV, & Hope Church Channel now on G19

Wed, 14 Apr 2010 00:00:00 +0000

BREAKING NEWS! Hope Channel, Hope Church Channel, and Esperanza TV in North and Central America are now on satellite Galaxy 19 (G19). Praise the Lord! He has provided the funding and moved aside all legal obstacles that were blocking our desired move to Galaxy 19 (G19)! Hope Channel for North and Central America, Hope Church Channel, and Esperanza TV, are now on satellite G19. All three channels will remain on AMC-4 through the month of May to ease viewers’ transition, then our AMC-4 signal will be terminated. This news affects ONLY Hope Channel, Esperanza TV, and Hope Church Channel viewers in North and Central America watching exclusively on the AMC4 satellite. This news DOES NOT affect viewers watching online or on DIRECTV channel 368. If you need to reposition your satellite dish, here are some helpful resources: Dish aiming, receiver programming instructions and how to videos: http://hope.glorystar.tv/p/atvmove If you have additional questions, please call us: 888-4-HOPE-TV (888-446-7388), press option 2. Glorystar and Adventist Satellite dish owners: http://hope.glorystar.tv/p/atvmove or call 888-393-HOPE (4673) Do-it-yourselfers: New Parameters: Satellite: Galaxy 19 (G-19)
Position: 97° West
Frequency: 11842 (or 11.842 on older equipment)
Polarity: Horizontal
Symbol rate: 22000
FEC: ¾ or “auto” Your location determines where to aim the dish. Professional installers may request the new satellite dish aiming coordinates: www.GeoSatFinder.com Locate a local satellite installer to re-aim your dish and program the receiver: www.FTAinstall.com To find a professional installer to help you re-aim your satellite dish: www.FTAinstall.com or http://Hope.Glorystar.tv/p/installer Please watch for further announcements from Hope Channel on air, through the mail, and at www.HopeTV.org. We must admit, quite openly, this is an expensive move. Significant additional funding is required. We invite your financial support and your prayers. Hope Channel is a rapidly expanding ministry broadcasting ten separate channels to a worldwide audience, and is in the final stages of adding new satellite channels for the Middle East, Russia, India, and China. The world needs to know that Jesus is coming soon. With your help, we’re going to tell them! Yours in God’s service, Brad Thorp President, Hope Channel

Loophole opens way in Canada

Wed, 23 Dec 2009 09:43:00 +0000

God has provided a new avenue to take the gospel message into communities where there is little to no religious programming either on television or radio. A recently discovered loophole in Canadian law opened the doors for broadcasting Hope Channel and Esperanza TV in 12 communities in British Columbia, and soon across the country.

   “I was searching on the Canadian Radio-television Telecommunications Commission (similar to the FCC) website for information concerning the 25 VOAR (Voice of Adventist Radio) radio stations that are approved for broadcasting and are we installing throughout British Columbia,” says Stan Jensen, communication director for the British Columbia Conference of Seventh-day Adventists. “I was amazed to find a special exemption that will allow us to broadcast programming on small cable companies.”

   The exemption allows cable companies with less than 6000 subscribers to carry up to five religious channels on their network without having to receive CRTC approval. Normally, religious programming within Canada must be produced within the country but this exemption does not have that particular requirement.

   “I was shocked to find this opening,” says Jensen. “I was even more shocked to find that it is not being used. There are around 90 communities just within British Columbia that fit the necessary profile, enabling us to broadcast within their territory.”

One cable company was extremely eager to begin airing both Hope Channel and Experanza TV in about a dozen towns.

In this area there are 11 communities of First Nations people. “There are about 800 tribal elders who oversee the governing of these groups,” says Jensen. “They have been so impressed with the work of the Adventists in their communities that they are now requesting to have Adventist media broadcasts.”
“Being born and raised in British Columbia, I know the broadcasting challenges that have been faced in the past throughout Canada,” says Brad Thorp, Hope Channel president. “I am thrilled with this breakthrough that is a blessing from God.”

To support Hope Channel’s global work of spreading the Gospel, please click the green button on the right.

Chinese Hope Channel Moves Ahead with Production

Wed, 23 Dec 2009 09:40:00 +0000

Reaching more than one billion people in China with the gospel is becoming reality through God’s honoring of prayers and financial support by Hope Channel viewers. Plans to launch Hope Channel China in early 2010 remain on track. Through Hope Channel’s “Project Hope Chinese” initiative in Loma Linda, California, combined with recent production from studios in New Zealand, Hong Kong, Taiwan, and mainland China, more than 1000 programs are ready in inventory—thanks to God’s blessing on circumstances and the hard work of countless volunteers. Topics include health, parenting, inspirational programming, music, and a children’s series.

“Following the production of shows in March, Hope Channel was incredibly blessed with an amazing offer,” says Kandus Thorp. “One generous family provided a location for a permanent production set on the West Coast.”

    Three of the new programs include “Total Health: Mind, Body, and Spirit,” produced by Dr. Andy Ng of Pacific Health Education Center and hosted by Dr. Helen Beck from Loma Linda Medical University; “Garden of Christianity,” a devotional program featuring leaders Timothy Zhao, Dr. Paul Cho, Pastor Doris Foo, and Pastor Matthew Yuen from Loma Linda and Los Angeles area Chinese churches; and a series on marriage, produced by Jenny Hung that will include couples who speak about their personal experiences in marriage and offer solutions to strengthen relationships.

    “It is hard to reach through closed doors in China because of the current political climate,” says Ivy Ng, project coordinator, “but Project Hope Chinese is creating programs that will spread the gospel throughout China.”

    To support the new Hope Channel China, contact Hope Channel at 888-4-Hope-TV.

To support Hope Channel’s global work of spreading the Gospel, please click the green button on the right.

Mathematical Miracles

Wed, 23 Dec 2009 09:36:00 +0000

Many of us struggled with our multiplication tables in grade school. 2x2 was the same as 2+2, but for some reason 3x3 wasn’t the same as 3+3. It got more confusing from there. Somehow, tipping that plus sign made numbers get bigger faster.

In a much more profound and complex way, God does the same thing for Hope Channel. Not only does He multiply the impact of your financial support, He seems to multiply the effects of your prayers.

A year ago we requested your prayers for a major breakthrough in distributing Hope Channel across the United States. It happened…in a huge way! Hope Channel went on DIRECTV on April 29, 2009.

We expected our call volume to increase, and that more people would request Bible study materials. God tripled it! Because of the increased viewership He brought, we now get three times the calls and requests for resources than we did a year ago. Your network is doing more and more ministry every day!

It seems God blessed DIRECTV too. They’ve grown by 1.3 million households since adding Hope Channel. To help this multiply further, tell your neighbors with DIRECTV (about 1 out of 6 homes in America) to watch channel 368. If they’re unable because they have older equipment, tell them to call DIRECTV at 877-HOPE-620 and mention Hope Channel for a great deal on an upgrade package so they can watch your favorite DIRECTV channel.

But multiplication doesn’t stop there. When you support Hope Channel, we’re able to help other ministries deliver their excellent programming to multiplied millions around the world on our growing number of channels.

Because of God’s great multiplication program more than
2 million souls have been baptized into God’s end- time church in connection to Hope Channel’s ministry. This is why we believe Hope Channel provides more successful global ministry for your missionary investment, and reaches more spiritual seekers, marginalized members, shut-ins, newly baptized individuals, and countless others who need to meet Jesus or grow in their relationship with Him.

Your regular, heartfelt prayers and generous financial support shows that you want to see these successes continue to grow and flourish. Together, and by God’s grace, we are reaching the world with the love and truth of Jesus as quickly and efficiently as possible—through the miracle of multiplication!
May God multiply your blessings as you support Hope Channel in 2010! To support Hope Channel’s global work of spreading the Gospel, please click the green button on the right.

Revelation: Hope, Meaning, and Purpose

Wed, 23 Dec 2009 09:31:00 +0000

Early in our church history, Seventh-day Adventists became known as “people of the Word.” Those church pioneers spent time digging out Biblical truth and gaining insights that helped to form the foundation of our beliefs.

Hope Channel is pleased to announce that a new series titled “Revelation: Hope, Meaning and Purpose” will begin in early 2010. “This is a 24 one-hour episode series that is a chapter by chapter and verse by verse exegetical study of the book of Revelation,” says Kandus Thorp, Hope Channel vice president for programming and international development. “Viewers will visit the locations of the seven churches of Revelation as well as learn details that will draw them into a deeper spiritual understanding of the message of the book of Revelation for today’s society.”

The South Pacific Division of Seventh-day Adventists commissioned Jon Paulien, PhD, Dean of the School of Theology at Loma Linda University, to write an in-depth study guide on the book of Revelation. “This timely and relevant new series heavily integrates the material from the study guides,” says Thorp.

Paulien, a leading scholar of the book of Revelation, co-hosts the series with Graham Bradford, professor of evangelism at Avondale College in Australia. “We must recognize that there have been two massive societal shifts in our world,” says Paulien. “During the early days of our church history, many people were Bible students who already knew basic truths. That is no longer the case for most of society today.”

Many people, especially youth, can be drawn to a study of Revelation, because of the drama and the scope of what it portrays. “When properly presented we can use Revelation as an entering wedge to introduce people to Christ,” says Paulien.

The series “Revelation: Hope, Meaning, and Purpose” was designed to reach people who know Christ and the Bible as well as those who don’t.

“Miles is a neighbor who has no understanding of spiritual matters,” says Paulien. “As we were filming the series, I kept thinking, How can I make this practical so that it will reach Miles and others like him?”

During preparation for the series, Paulien and Bradford developed three criteria they wanted to achieve with the series.

“We wanted to make our study of Revelation Christ-centered, gospel oriented, and with applications of what the book of Revelation has to say about the issues people face today,” says Paulien.
Study materials will also be available for home and group Bible studies. “There is much intrigue and mystery that surrounds the book of Revelation,” says Thorp. “Hope Channel is excited about this opportunity to tell the story of Jesus through Revelation and to share this message with the world.”

To support Hope Channel’s global work of spreading the Gospel, please click the green button on the right.

Hope Channel given OK to blanket India

Wed, 23 Dec 2009 09:29:00 +0000

God has orchestrated a series of miracles in India because of the faithful prayer support of viewers like you—and the hard work of Hope Channel’s coordinator in India, Pastor Swamidas Johnson!

On October 10, 2009, India’s Minister of Information and Broadcasting signed the necessary documents allowing Hope Channel to begin broadcasting down-linked programming throughout this country of 1.3 billion people.

Then, on November 25, Pastor Johnson began negotiations to include Hope Channel in distribution systems seen by 500 million viewers—nearly all TV viewers in India!

   “This is nothing short of an absolute miracle and will be a phenomenal opportunity for sharing the gospel and message of Hope with sincere seekers in India. Obtaining this permission has been a long, difficult process,” says Brad Thorp, Hope Channel president. “We are seeing the answer to the multitude of prayers by our faithful Hope Channel supporters. Their financial and prayer support will once again bear fruit in a populous country within the 10/40 window.”

With an initial investment of $5000, which provided a camera and microphone, Johnson and a team of faithful volunteers produced more than 1000 programs in the three major languages Hindi, Tamil, and Telugu.

   The Tamil programs, broadcast on local cable in Chennai, have produced a massive response with thousands of letters requesting prayer, asking Bible questions, and sharing stories of how programs have touched lives. Television shows in the Hindi language have been broadcast outside India and are also reaping big results.

   “We have come a long way since the early days of this project,” says Thorp. “Generous supporters helped to raise the $50,000 needed to obtain licensing for Hope Channel India to operate. God has blessed and the gospel commission will be fulfilled in India. However, the project is at a financial crossroads and needs additional support. We moved ahead in faith through the doors opened by the Lord, and He has blessed—but now it’s time for additional financial support from you to reach this single largest audience in our short history.”

Johnson believes that with Hope Channel India programming, the gospel message will reach into millions of homes that are currently inaccessible.

   “Although the caste system was outlawed, the mindset still exists within our country,” says Johnson. “High caste people consider Christians to be of a low caste and generally will not mix with them. That makes reaching them with the gospel almost impossible. Now we can go through doors that we would never be able to walk through physically.”

   Various programs on Hope Channel India will attract viewers who would never attend a traditional evangelistic campaign.

“The citizens of India are particularly attracted to information about education, medical concerns, and parenting,” says Johnson. “These are the areas where we will place much of our focus. Hope Channel India will seek to remove barriers that lend to mistrust and misunderstanding,” he adds.

   As Hope Channel India begins to expand its operations, a media center is currently under construction in Chennai for future productions.

“We plan to move into full-time production in March 2010 and begin broadcasts on Hope Channel India by May 2010,” says Johnson. “This will be 24/7 programming reaching into the hearts and lives of countless Indian homes across the nation.”

   One of the challenges of working on the Indian continent is the vast array of languages. More than 1000 languages and dialects are spoken there. Hope Channel is targeting the three largest language groups—Hindi, Tamil and Telugu. English is also widely spoken, and many of Hope Channel’s best English programs will help fill the schedule. Additional programming in other languages and dialects will be added as it becomes feasible.

   Seventh-day Adventists across India are preparing for the expected response when Hope Channel India begins broadcasting. Members and Bible workers are preparing to follow-up on requests for prayer, Bible study, and other activities. A call center to receive viewer requests is under development and staff training is taking place.

“We plan to begin full evangelistic outreach as a result of Hope Channel India as early as 2011,” says Johnson.

   Prayer support is also still needed for the Hope Channel India project. Specifically ask for God’s Spirit to be poured out on the two million Seventh-day Adventists living in India. Also pray for those involved with the production of shows and that the hearts of new viewers will be open to hearing about a God who wants to draw near to them and share His love and forgiveness.

To support Hope Channel’s global work of spreading the Gospel, please click the green button on the right.

“Our Children First” to help parents raise well-grounded kids

Wed, 23 Dec 2009 09:16:00 +0000

I needed guidance and input from others who had wisdom from experience as parents,” says Katherine Walton, a mother of three, “I wasn’t finding the resources that I needed. I was thrilled when Hope Channel offered me the opportunity to produce a television series that addresses contemporary parenting issues.”

   Hope Channel recognizes that parents in the post-modern world face unprecedented issues and concerns, and how these things impact the spiritual and moral health of children and parents.

“Our Children First” will feature ordinary people from various ethnic and social backgrounds who will share insights from personal and professional backgrounds. The program will help open the dialogue between parents, church, and school as to how to minister physically, spiritually, and mentally to children from birth through young adult.

   “The generation of parents who is raising children today are the latchkey children of yesterday,” says Walton. “One of our goals is to help parents think about the changes they need to make their family life and then help them implement the change.”

   The series tackles tough questions and examines how families can become susceptible to secular influences creeping into their homes. Other topics include how to protect children from predators, the inroads that spiritualism is making into families through media, faith and character development in children, teaching children financial management principles, and how to engage teens and young adults in service relevant to their faith experience. The series will also examine how to communicate Seventh-day Adventist beliefs in a positive manner to children and young adults.

   “Families don’t have a lot of time these days,” says Walton. “Each of the 30-minute episodes will examine a specific topic and help parents identify Bible principles that meet their challenges with practical applications and ideas to apply the spiritual principles in creative and meaningful ways.”

   Please pray for the parents who are seeking help as they raise moral and spiritually strong children. Ask specifically that God will direct them to Hope Channel and discover how important it is to put “Our Children First.” Your prayers make the difference in the lives of families, which will in turn impact the world for good.

To support Hope Channel’s global work of spreading the Gospel, please click the green button on the right.