Israeli airwaves will soon broadcast Seventh-day Adventist programming for the first time, Adventist World Radio (AWR) officials announced yesterday.

Programming, in both Hebrew and Russian, will be broadcast via leased airtime on a local FM station and is expected to focus on family, health and spiritual topics, a press release from the radio ministry arm of the Adventist Church said yesterday.

The station's signal covers the central part of Israel, between Jerusalem and Tel Aviv -- where the church's new Adventist Media Center is located -- as well as a large part of the West Bank.

"To start production in Hebrew is not just adding another language to AWR's broadcasting list," said AWR Europe region director Tihomir Zestic. "Sharing the Adventist hope in the country where Jesus [lived], in its own language, is a great honor."

Zestic added that he hoped the programs would "support the unity and growth" of the Adventist Church in Israel.

A group of nearly 30 local lay members, all of whom underwent intensive training, will handle production under the direction of John Lascu, Israel Field radio coordinator and regional media center director. Training for the volunteer team is expected to continue in the coming months.

The launch of Hebrew and Russian programming brings to 77 the number of languages AWR broadcasts worldwide.