For the first time, Hope Channel New Zealand is partnering with local churches in an innovative evangelistic series titled “Unbreakable Hope.”

Scheduled to launch on September 24, 2023, the series features long-time It Is Written director and New Zealand-born pastor John Bradshaw. It will be broadcast on both free-to-air TV and digital platforms, with the primary objective of using media to connect with the community through local churches.

Pastor Eddie Tupa’i, New Zealand Pacific Union Conference president, said it’s an exciting initiative in which virtually all local churches in both the North and South islands are participating.

“We are going to learn a lot from this project,” Pastor Tupa’i said. “It’s something we haven’t tried before, and we believe it will produce not only baptisms but opportunities for planting new groups and new churches in places where we don’t have a presence. So I think this is just the beginning of something significant in New Zealand.”

Unbreakable Hope encompasses eight episodes, with the initial six airing on Hope Channel over six weeks. Each episode will be repeated at various times throughout its respective week before transitioning to the next episode the following week. This is designed to capture as much of the viewing audience as possible.

The last two episodes have been produced to show in churches, facilitating a connection between Hope Channel and the local church environment. Viewers will be directed to participating local churches via the Unbreakable Hope website. Additionally, they will be able to take advantage of free offers featured throughout the episodes via a text-based service, thus enabling ongoing conversations with the new contacts.

“Our church families are being encouraged to share the program in their communities and on their own social media profiles, as well as thinking through what they can do in the lead-up, so that when people walk through their doors—or make contact—as churches, we are ready to receive them,” said Pastor Ben Martin, South New Zealand Conference president.

“Some churches are considering airing the episodes at the church in the evening, with everyone invited to attend. Others are planning on making these episodes part of a small group in their home. We love that the platform of Hope Channel gives us lots of flexibility for how this can be utilized for each of our churches. We hope that through this effort, a stronger connection is built between our churches and Hope Channel—as a tool and resource for leading people to Jesus,” Pastor Martin added.

The initiative is designed to capitalize on the extensive reach of Hope Channel, which, according to Nielson data, attracts hundreds of thousands of viewers. Unbreakable Hope will make a connection between the programs they already enjoy and the experience of hearing many of these same teachings within the context of a caring Christian community.

“The unique opportunity we have here in New Zealand with Hope Channel has also given us this opportunity to try something we believe is quite innovative,” Pastor Martin said.

“We know we will learn a lot, and we are praying that God moves on the hearts of many through this effort. We are also grateful for the collaboration and support of the South Pacific Division, New Zealand Pacific Union Conference, Hope Channel, It is Written, as well as leaders, pastors, and churches in North and South New Zealand.” 

Pastor Martin concluded, “This is truly a team effort, and we would ask you [to] pray for us and for those who hear the invitation in the coming weeks.”

For more details and viewing times, click here.

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