October 5, 2023

Hope for Africa Evangelistic Series Results in More than 194,000 Baptisms

Initiative includes 20,000 downlink locations in 11 countries and 7 languages.

by

Hope Channel International

More than 194,000 people have so far been baptized after the recent Hope for Africa evangelistic series by international speaker Mark Finley in Nairobi, Kenya.

The September series, sponsored by Hope Channel, in collaboration with the East-Central Africa Division (ECD) of the Seventh-day Adventist Church and Adventist World Radio, saw the unprecedented establishment of 20,000 downlink locations in 11 countries throughout the region. The series had broad distribution over two satellites, terrestrial television on national Hope Channel outlets, websites, the Hope Channel app, the YouTube video platform, and a number of social media platforms.

Other Hope for Africa speakers included Chidi Ngwaba, who delivered presentations on healthy living, and David Mmbaga, who shared messages on how to improve family relationships, among other related topics.

Additionally, all the presentations were translated into seven languages — Amharic, Arabic, French, Kinyarwanda, Kiswahili, Luganda, and sign language.

Gideon Mutero (second from left), vice president of Hope Channel International, shakes the hand of East-Central Africa Division president Blasious Ruguri (center), as Mark Finley (left) looks on. [Photo: Hope Channel International]

Mark Finley (center) and East-Central Africa Division church leaders participate in the Pathfinder parade during the Hope for Africa event. [Photo: Hope Channel International]

A young Adventurer presents a bouquet of flowers to the speakers at the Hope for Africa event. [Photo: Hope Channel International]

The New Life Seventh-day Adventist Church Pathfinder music band performs during the Hope for Africa event. [Photo: Hope Channel International]

One of the choirs from the East-Central Africa Division that performed during the Hope for Africa event. [Photo: Hope Channel International]

“What impressed me most during the Hope for Africa meetings was the close collaboration between Hope Channel Kenya, the ECD Media team, New Life Seventh-day Adventist Church, Hope Channels across ECD, local churches, pastors, and lay members,” Hope Channel International president Derek Morris said. “We are seeing the prophecy of Jesus fulfilled before our eyes: the harvest truly is great!” he added, referencing Luke 10:2 in the Bible.

Making It Happen

Hope Channel International vice president Gideon Mutero played a key role in organizing the series. Mutero also reflected on the outcome of Hope for Africa. “We praise God from whom all blessings flow and invite you to join in the ministry of bringing hope to a broken world,” he stated.

The evangelistic series was one of two sponsored by Hope Channel International this year. The second, scheduled to be held in Port Harcourt, Nigeria, from October 20 to November 3, will feature Hope Channel International senior evangelist Christ Holland. The series Almost Home has been scheduled to coincide with the 100th anniversary of the establishment of the Adventist Church in Nigeria. It will also be downlinked to thousands of locations, translated live into local languages, and shared and broadcast on several social media platforms.

About Hope Channel

Hope Channel International Inc. (HCI) is a Christian global media network that offers programs on Christian living with a holistic focus on faith, health, relationships, and community. Hope Channel began broadcasting in North America in 2003. Today, Hope Channel is a global network with more than 80 channels broadcasting in more than 80 languages.

The original version of this story was posted on Hope Channel International’s news site.

Comment