Comprising of eleven culturally diverse countries situated within the 10/40 window, the establishment of Hope Channel Southeast Asia opens various opportunities in reaching out millions of people through the airwaves.
On August 9, 2019, a newly designed, state-of-the-art, Hope Channel studio opens its doors to the world as it was inaugurated in its headquarters in Ban Muak Lek, Thailand within the Asia-Pacific International University (APIU) Campus. The new 1.7 million dollar, twelve by twenty four meter, two-story building consists of four brand new stages designed to produce new programs catering the Adventist lifestyle and belief. The new facility also entails a control room, two audio rooms, rooms for content creation, pre-production, production, and post-production offices.
Leaders from the Hope Channel Network led by Elder Derek Morris, Hope Channel International president and Elder Joe Sloan, vice president graced this memorable gathering extending its prayers and well wishes as it commences its broadcast in Asia.
In his message, Morris highlighted all the goals of the network which God permitted to be achieved through different Hope Channel networks around the world.
“What impressed me the most is the testimony of one miracle after another. God provided sometimes finances, other times people with different skills to accomplish this wonderful media center,” said Morris.
“...when Elder Somchai said that there are 220 million people in Southeast Asia and that 85% of them doesn’t know anything about Jesus…to me Hope Channel Southeast Asia who plans to broadcast in eight different languages is really an important witness in this part of the world,” Morris added.
Morris encouraged the production team and volunteers who will spearhead the productions in Southeast Asia as they face big challenges ahead of them. Morris stressed the value of pressing on and moving forward to fulfill God’s mission.
“Always remember that this isn’t just a job, this is a holy mission, called to be one of the twelve disciples, and you say that it is not possible for me. But the Holy Spirit blessed them to be powerful men and women of God,” said Morris pertaining to the volunteers.
“What God wants to do in us and through us is supernatural, but if our heart is open, we will see God working in miraculous ways,” Morris added.
Leaders and guests from various institutions within the region were also present during the inauguration. Elder Max Langi, treasurer of the Adventist church in the Southern Asia-Pacific (SSD) region; Elder Nelson Paulo, Media Coordinator of SSD; Elder Somchai Chuenjit, president of the Adventist church in the Southeast Asia region (SAUM); Andrew Tay, treasurer of SAUM; Richard Berson, director of Hope Channel Southeast Asia; and Billy Liu, director of Hope Channel China who were all present during the gathering.
Channel Southeast Asia is Hope Channel network’s 45th tv network around the world. channel is deemed as the official television network of the Adventist church worldwide. It offers a wide array of Christian programs conceptualized to share biblical teachings. It also produces programs on faith, health, relationships, and community. The network operates globally in different language and provides programs contextualized to various viewership around the globe.
Elder Richard Berson, director of Hope Channel Southeast Asia expressed in his message what is expected of the studio as it ventures to reaching various people groups within its coverage.
“Southeast Asia is a culturally deep territory. Languages are different and religions too. With these new programs, we hope to be used as tools by God to transform the hearts of people in this region,” Berson stressed.
“We were blessed to have the support of a team of Thai workers. We know God sent them to accelerate the project completion and share our beliefs with them. We also firmly believe God granted the gift of tongues to workers who only spoke Thai and to our electrical and mechanical coordinator who only spoke Portuguese so the work could be done efficiently and in harmony,” he added.