There was joy and jubilation at the Southern Africa-Indian Ocean Division (SID) headquarters in Pretoria, South Africa, on March 6, 2022, when church leaders participated in the long-awaited launching of the Adventist World Radio (AWR) online radio station powered by SIDmedia. More than 150 people, including leaders and guests, attended the event.

The launch of AWR powered by SIDmedia was a true testimony that indeed dreams do come true, church leaders said. Dressed in their African regalia, guests helped to ensure that the event will mark a day to remember.

Guest of honor was AWR Africa regional director Immanuel Ogwal, from Uganda. He celebrated the historic launch, calling it “a game changer in evangelism.”

Ogwal was one of the first guests to be interviewed live by Sibongile Lugube, one of the station’s presenters/producers. “The launch of this radio station will complement the church’s strategic plan of ‘I Will Go,’as the church intensifies the spreading of the gospel using all forms of media platforms,” Ogwal said. Radio is indeed one of those platforms that can reach some of the most remote areas in the territory, church leaders said.

SID president Solomon Maphosa commended the media ministry, saying this was “the best news and music to my ears, as the church embraces media evangelism as a tool for spreading the gospel.” Maphosa, who is passionate about radio ministry, added, “It gives me great pleasure to be part and parcel of this new vehicle for evangelism. I have worked in radio before, so I know the power of radio. Radio can reach places where some of us as pastors cannot go,” he said.

Speaking at the same occasion, SIDmedia board chair Hopeson Bonya celebrated the work of SIDmedia in using technology to share the good news of Jesus. “The work being done by SIDmedia is very commendable,” Bonya said. “As leaders, we want to promote media evangelism in all its forms so that we can finish the work ahead of us.”

SID executive secretary Gideon Reyneke did the honors by cutting the ribbon at the new SIDmedia studios. Taking to the airwaves, AWR SIDmedia station manager Sipho Kaleni could not hide his excitement as the station harvested the first fruits of the ministry during the Maranatha Drive show. Grace Maoka, who tuned into AWR SIDmedia on the second day of its live broadcast, called the station to say she wanted to give her life to Jesus.

On the first Sabbath after the launch, SIDmedia took the radio to the people by visiting Mooikloof Seventh-day Adventist Church in Pretoria, South Africa. During this live broadcast activation, eight more people decided to give their lives to Jesus. Leaders believe these first fruits are a sure sign that God’s hand is at play. “We give Him all the praise and glory for all this wonderful work,” they said.

The original version of this story was posted on the Southern Africa-Indian Ocean Division news site.