The Trans Pacific Union Mission (TPUM) of Seventh-day Adventists has reached another milestone in its media ministry efforts with the launch of Hope Channel Tuvalu on October 25, 2023—the latest addition to Hope Channel’s 80-plus-channel network worldwide.

Officiating the launch, Pastor Maveni Kaufononga, TPUM president, emphasized the slogan “Television that Changes Lives!”

The new channel, a collaborative effort between TPUM and Tuvalu.TV, will broadcast free-to-air across Funafuti, the nation’s capital, reaching a potential population of more than 5,000 residents on the island. There are plans for the Tuvalu.TV digital platform to expand next year to the other outer islands of Tuvalu, where Hope TV will also be available.

To celebrate the launch, the event included a cake-cutting performed by Pastor Kaufononga and esteemed guests: Reverend Tofiga Vaevalu Falani, governor-general, and his wife, Tangira; Saaga Talu, acting justice and Communication and Foreign Affairs minister; and Vaguna Satupa, Tuvalu Adventist district pastor. Also present were Andrew Lin, Taiwan’s ambassador to Tuvalu; Brenton Garlick, Australia’s high commissioner to Tuvalu; and John Muria, Tuvalu High Court judge.

John Tausere, TPUM Communications and Media coordinator, explained the two-phased approach for this initiative. “Phase one, completed with today’s launch, facilitates the broadcast of Hope Channel’s international content directly from the satellite feed to the island,” he said. “The next phase, planned for 2024, aims to establish a local studio in Tuvalu to produce shows in the Tuvaluan language and context.”

Expressing his optimism, Pastor Kaufononga said, “The mission of the church is to share the everlasting Gospel globally. Hope Channel Tuvalu is a significant step towards reaching every household and every family in the region, echoing the larger mission of the church.”

Pastor Derrick Morris, Hope Channel International president, welcomed Tuvalu.TV into the network. In a video message, he said, “We are excited for you to use evangelistic media to reach your country for Christ,” adding that the global network will be praying for them.

The original version of this story was posted on the Adventist Record website.