Hope Channel joins DIRECTV’s lineup
Silver Spring, Maryland, United States – Hope Channel, the official television network of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, is pleased to announce its partnership with DIRECTV for broadcast to the continental United States, Hawaii, and Alaska. Hope Channel is scheduled to be added to the basic DIRECTV lineup on April 29, 2009, on channel 368.
“We are delighted to partner with DIRECTV! This allows millions of viewers in North America to receive the life-changing messages of Hope Channel,” said Hope Channel president Brad Thorp.
“We’re encouraging church members who have cable to make the easy switch to DIRECTV. By doing so, they will support Hope Channel so millions of others can begin to benefit from our family friendly programs,” said Gary Gibbs, Hope Channel vice president.
“Seventeen million homes is the largest satellite TV audience in North America! This is a very providential development! This is the largest media breakthrough for the church in North America,” explained Mark Finley, Chairman of the Hope Channel Board of Directors.
As Channel 368, Hope Channel will be placed among several leading news and educational channels. Look for Hope Channel April 29, 2009, on DIRECTV’s basic home service package. [Scott Steward, Hope Channel Marketing Director]
Writer’s workshop
Dodowa, Ghana—The Adventist Church in Ghana, in conjunction with Valley View University, Accra, Ghana, hosted Ministry’s first writer’s workshop on the campus of Valley View University (VVU), February 22 and 23, 2009. More than 40 pastors, professors, administrators, and students attended the event, which consisted of 13 hours of instruction and practical hands-on assignments—intended to sharpen the writings skills of those who wish to write for religious journals.
Nikolaus Satelmajer and Willie E. Hucks II, Ministry’s editor and associate editor, respectively, facilitated the conference. Prior to the seminar, they also presented lectures to the university’s 170 theology students on a variety of topics ranging from time management, professional ethics, and making an effective transition from the classroom to pastoral ministry.
Special thanks for the success of that weeklong effort goes to W. Danforth Francis, ministerial secretary for the Adventist Church in west Africa, Felix Adu-Gyamfi , ministerial secretary for the Adventist Church in Ghana, and the theology faculty of VVU. [Willie E. Hucks II]
Festival of religious freedom
Lima, Peru—The Estadio Nacional (National Stadium) is the venue for the world’s largest Festival of Religious Freedom being planned for June 13, 2009. Visionary leaders in Peru and throughout South America are making travel arrangements for their delegations to attend this event, which may host more than 50,000 people. The purpose is to celebrate religious freedom in an unprecedented international event by giving thanks to God, the country of Peru and the other countries represented, public authorities, and those who have suffered, as well as to remember those who have given their lives for the invaluable religious freedom we enjoy today.
John Graz, Public Affairs and Religious Liberty Department of the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, has launched worldwide the new concept of Festivals of Religious Freedom with the intent to cover all continents with great celebrations during the years 2008–2010 and create a positive environment of freedom and peace. On June 28, 2008, a crowd of 45,000 gathered in the main stadium of Luanda, Angola, for a similar event.
For more information, visit our web site at www.Festivalsof ReligiousFreedom.org. [Alfredo García-Marenko]
Ministry staff update
The editors of Ministry are pleased to announce some changes in office operational functions and the addition of another person to our team. Sheryl Beck, now Editorial Specialist, and John Feezer IV, now Development Specialist, have been with Ministry, but their roles were redefined to recognize their abilities and the needs of the growing publication. John Feezer, in additional to his work with Ministry, will spend approximately one-half of his time working on the finances for the Ministerial Association, as well. To pick up other responsibilities, Mervyn Lee has joined our team and is working approximately half-time for Ministry and the other half for the Ministerial Association. We are delighted to have these three individuals as the office team working with the editors in editing and the development of Ministry.
