Voice of Adventist Radio, the only Seventh-day Adventist radio station in Canada, has been approved for 12 new broadcast licenses by the Canadian Radio and Television Commission. The approval allows the station to expand its ministry to cover Newfoundland and Labrador, coast to coast.

“This is setting a precedent in Canada for Christian broadcasting,” said Nicole Batten, communication director for VOAR. “VOAR will be the first Christian radio station to operate a large network of transmitter sites, covering such a vast amount of territory.”

Voice of Adventist Radio’s expansion involves setting up a satellite uplink system that will re-broadcast VOAR to 12 transmitter sites: 10 in Newfoundland and two in Labrador. In Labrador, where there is no Adventist Church, VOAR plans to pioneer evangelism and church planting.

“We hope the radio station will open doors to evangelistic outreach to this remote area where a large population of natives live,” said Sherry Griffin, VOAR station manager.

Voice of Adventist Radio aims to have its 12 new transmitters operational by October. The total cost for its expansion is CND$590,000, which includes the satellite uplink system, 12 transmitter sites, engineering and administration fees, and the remodeling of VOAR’s studio to accommodate the enlargement. VOAR’s ultimate goal is to install satellite systems that will enable it to broadcast anywhere in Canada.

Until 15 years ago, Canada’s broadcasting commission did not allow religious entities to have radio stations. For nearly 40 years, Voice of Adventist Radio was the exception as the only Christian radio station in Canada. VOAR began broadcasting in 1929 and when Newfoundland joined Canada 20 years later, the Board of Broadcast Governors in Ottawa permitted VOAR to continue its operation as a religious radio station.

Voice of Adventist Radio transmits on frequency 1210 AM, broadcasting programs such as the Quiet Hour, Voice of Prophecy, It Is Written, Amazing Facts, and More Abundant Life.