The Russian affiliate of Three Angels Broadcasting Network (3ABN) recently won a first-place award at an international media competition held in Odessa, Ukraine.

The contest, entitled “United Ukraine,” drew 300 entries from 67 cities in Greece, Moldova, Russia, Uzbekistan, and Ukraine. Competing in the spirituality category, 3ABN won top honors for a Christmas television program about the birth of Christ.

“Now, many television stations in Ukraine want to broadcast this special Christmas program,” says Valery Ivanov, who directs communication for the Adventist Church in Euro-Asia. “The contest was a wonderful opportunity to introduce Adventist productions to the television and radio world.”

Located east of Moscow in the historic city of Nizhny Novgorod, the Russian 3ABN is operated by lay Adventists, and has been broadcasting since 1993. 3ABN programs are seen on some 70 stations in Ukraine, and on more than 100 stations throughout former Soviet nations. Programs include personal interviews with ordinary Christians, a series about Christian literature, and programs about biblical prophecy, New Testament gospels, family life, health, and other topics.

The Russian station is affiliated with the United States-based Three Angels Broadcasting Network, a 24-hour lay Adventist television and radio network.