In a nation of 10.3 million people with an estimated 1.2 million suffering from HIV/AIDS, a theme such as "Hope for our troubled world" could be expected to resonate.
In a nation of 10.3 million people with an estimated 1.2 million suffering from HIV/AIDS, a theme such as “Hope for our troubled world” could be expected to resonate. Such is the case in Zambia, where the Seventh-day Adventist Church and The Voice of Prophecy, or VOP, an Adventist media ministry, launched a satellite evangelism campaign Aug. 28.
Speaking at the start of the event, Zambia’s president, Levy Mwanawasa, expressed appreciation of the Adventist Church for its involvement in the various aspects of Zambian life, and “for launching this major endeavor in our country.”
President Mwanawasa, an attorney who was elected to his position in 2001, and whose late mother was a member of the Adventist Church, commended the Christian church in general for being “the shoulder upon which, we as government, should lean in times of peace for inspiration and in times of strife for guidance.”
“My administration,” said Mwanawasa, “appreciates the work of the Adventist Church in this country….Your church has been involved not only in preaching the gospel but also in the running of schools, hospitals and other equally important social activities.”
The satellite series was viewed at more than 500 downlink sites in Zambia and other locations in Africa and eastern Europe.
Pastor Pardon Mwansa, Adventist church president in the region, thanked Mwanawasa for “gracing this occasion with your presence and for the freedom of worship that your government has extended to all churches.” Mwansa also thanked him for the help the church received from the Zambia Revenue Authorities for allowing duty-free importation of satellite equipment for the event.
The “Hope for our troubled world” broadcast is sponsored by the Voice of Prophecy, the Adventist Church in Zambia, Adventist Television Network and the Southern Africa-Indian Ocean region of the church. Lonnie Melashenko, speaker/director of the media ministry, is the speaker for the meetings.
Nearly half of the more than 1,200 Adventist churches in Zambia have installed satellite dishes for the campaign, according to the Voice of Prophecy. More than 320 of these systems, the ministry says, are a direct result of donations by VOP friends and matching funds raised by church members in Zambia. For each $100 given by persons in the United States and Canada, Zambian members raised an additional $180, according to VOP.
