Hope Channel given OK to blanket India
Dec 23, 2009 09:29
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.
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