The Africa for Christ “Arise in Hope” media evangelism series closed on May 9 in Lagos, Nigeria, after two weeks of preaching, prayer, health education, family life enrichment, digital engagement, and local church mobilization across that region. Partial reporting records more than 28,000 baptisms, regional church leaders in the West-Central Africa Division (WAD) shared.
A Continental Campaign Broadcast From Lagos
Held from April 26 to May 9, the series was broadcast live from Lagos and distributed through Hope Channel Africa, YouTube, and other livestreaming platforms, on radio stations, local churches, and 25,092 Homes of Hope. Together these represented more than 50,000 downlink centers and sites across the continent, leaders reported.
The initiative brought together the WAD, the Southern Africa-Indian Ocean Division, the East-Central Africa Division, Hope Channel International (HCI), Adventist World Radio, pastors, Bible workers, media professionals, musicians, digital missionaries, and thousands of church members. Gale Jones Murphy composed the theme song, “All Our Hope,” for the series.
“Arise in Hope”: More Than a Slogan
The series theme, “Arise in Hope,” became more than a slogan, leaders said. “It shaped every layer of the initiative: the sermons, the music, the children’s segments, the health talks, the family life presentations, and the digital response strategy.”
Leaders reported how night after night, Paul Douglas, General Conference treasurer and main speaker for the series, presented Bible-based messages in a hall filled with worshippers, while thousands more followed from churches, homes, and digital platforms across the continent.
As Douglas was interviewed on Arise News, a prominent Nigerian television channel, he quickly disclaimed any connection with political campaigns tagged “Renewed Hope” for the 2027 presidential election in Nigeria. “The purpose of Africa for Christ is not to promote politics, but to lift people’s eyes to Jesus. Where hardship is real and hope seems far away, Christ remains the living hope for every home, every city, and every heart,” Douglas said.
The Living Word and Lives Surrendered
The closing Sabbath message, titled “The Living Word,” brought the series to a solemn and joyful conclusion, leaders reported. Baptisms took place every evening as new believers publicly committed their lives to Christ.
Among them were Utsu Justin, a pastor from another Christian faith, and his wife, who came from Ado, Nasarawa State, to be baptized. He had opened his home as a downlink center, and from there his members witnessed his baptism on television. Several of them have now decided to follow Jesus and the example of their leader.
Digital Reach: Nearly 2 Million Impressions
According to the latest impact report, the campaign generated 1,987,897 YouTube impressions, 423,344 views, and 81,823 hours of watch time. The QR code and short link created for audience response recorded 6,109 hits from 69 countries and territories, with 91.2 percent of listed traffic coming from Africa. The Thrive digital response system captured 2,202 contacts, 325 baptism decisions, and 93 outstanding follow-ups.
Additional campaign updates reported more than 11,000 WhatsApp contacts, during the campaign period. The initiative reached audiences in English, French, Yoruba, Fulfulde, Pidgin, Twi, Igbo, Hausa, Kiswahili, Ewe, and Portuguese/Creole.
A Frightening Incident
Organizers also recalled a storm on Sunday night, May 3. During the campaign a heavy steel bar filled with concrete, weighing about 55 pounds (25 kilograms), fell from the roof in between two persons. By God’s grace, no one was hurt, organizers reported. “I am still in shock over what happened that night; that nobody died or had serious injury is a miracle,” said George Egwakhe, chair of the Steering Committee. “I am grateful to God that the meeting went well.”
For the team, the incident was received as a solemn reminder that evangelistic mission often takes place in the midst of spiritual opposition. Yet the fact that no life was lost and no major injury occurred strengthened the conviction of many workers that God was watching over the campaign, the congregation, and the production crew, they said.
The incident also deepened the spirit of prayer among the teams. Leaders and workers continued the campaign with renewed vigilance, gratitude, and confidence that the same God who had opened doors for the gospel was also protecting His people.
Regional Church Leaders Give Glory to God
WAD president Bassey E. O. Udoh described the closing as more than the end of an event. “Africa for Christ has shown what God can do when His people unite in prayer, media, mission, and local church action,” Udoh said. “We praise God for every life surrendered to Jesus, but we also recognize that baptism is not the end of the journey. It is the beginning of discipleship, nurture, and faithful service.”
Dickson Sarfo Marfo, WAD treasurer, said the series demonstrated the strength of integrated mission and continental cooperation. And WAD executive secretary Vincent Roger Same added that “it has been a great success and an opportunity to thank God for those who were baptized. We congratulate all the technical teams that brought their expertise so that this program will be remembered for years to come.”
Hope Channel International Calls Viewers to Witness
HCI president Vyacheslav Demyan described Africa for Christ as a major evangelistic moment for West Africa and beyond. “Because of Hope Channel, it was broadcast across Nigeria, all over Africa, and all over the world,” Demyan said. “We witnessed many miracles. The Holy Spirit worked powerfully. Thousands of people decided to follow Jesus, to acknowledge Jesus as their Savior and King.”
Demyan also appealed to members and viewers to move from watching to witnessing.
“Today is the day,” he said. “Let’s unite our efforts to proclaim the message of hope, especially as we move toward the global media evangelistic initiative, OneVoice27. Be part of His mission. Share this message today.”
Health, Family Life, and Wholistic Mission
The campaign was not limited to preaching, organizers reported. Each evening also included health or family life components, reflecting the Adventist understanding of wholistic mission. Chidi Ngwaba, health speaker for the series, said the program gave him an opportunity to speak to Africa about one of its urgent needs.
“Africa is the richest continent on the planet,” Ngwaba said. “We grow rich crops, we have minerals, oil, and so much more, but our health is suffering. That is the message I brought to Lagos and to the continent of Africa,” he said.
Ground-Level Mobilization and Homes of Hope
For local leaders in western Nigeria, the campaign was also a testimony of preparation, resilience, and partnership. The Western Nigeria Local Coordination Committee coordinated local stakeholders, venue readiness, church participation, transport, accommodation, and daily operations.
“This campaign has strengthened our churches and reminded our members that evangelism is not only a program on the stage,” the committee chair said. “It is the work of pastors, elders, youth, families, Bible workers, media teams, and every believer who opens a home, shares a message, or prays with a seeker.”
For newly baptized members the campaign was deeply personal. “I came with questions, but I leave with peace,” one new member said. “I now understand that Jesus is calling me not only to believe but to follow Him fully.”
Organizers said the closing now opens a new phase of ministry: follow-up, nurture, Bible studies, retention, and integration into local churches.
The message from Lagos was simple and urgent, regional church leaders said. “Africa has heard the call to arise in hope, and the mission continues.”
The original version of this story was posted on the West-Central Africa Division news site.
