---

ST ALBANS, ENGLAND [ANR] On Sunday 18 January 2004, BBC Radio 4's "Sunday Programme" featured the Seventh-day Adventist Church and their new 24-hour Christian satellite television transmission of the 'Hope Channel', via the Hotbird Satellite, to countries in Europe.

Radio 4's Shazia Khan, reporting on 'whether there is a market for television evangelism in the UK', interviewed Pastor John Surridge (Communication Director for the Seventh-day Adventist Church in the British Isles) and Dr. Jolyon Mitchell (Senior Lecturer in Communication, Christian Ethics and Practical Theology at Edinburgh University).

Mitchell says "I think there will always be a future for religious broadcasting while there is belief in God."

John Surridge, when asked about the role of the Hope Channel in the overall evangelistic work of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, responded that the purpose of having a world television channel is to reach two audiences, our own church membership and those we are trying to reach with the gospel. Surridge says, "It was a good opportunity for us to tell people what the Church is doing. Here in Britain most people know very little about Seventh-day Adventists and it will have surprised many listeners to learn that we have thirteen million members around the world and that eight percent of these have joined the Church through satellite evangelism. Having our own satellite television channel in Europe has really put us on the map and we're hoping that at least some people who heard about the Hope Channel through the radio interview will tune in and see what it's all about."

Pastor Paul Clee, representative for the Seventh-day Adventist Church in the Trans-Europe region says, "It was good to hear the Church's name so frequently mentioned in the public service broadcast and to have our major beliefs explained by the reporter. Personally, I am thrilled that God has given us the opportunity to use modern technology to reach our friends and neighbours, and I hope and pray that we will personally advertise the Hope Channel and its important message, as we speak to those we meet."

Dr Jolyon Mitchell cautioned, that in attempting to appeal to the television masses there was a possible risk of religious groups losing the distinctiveness or essence of their message. Reporter Khan went on to say, "In March of this year the Seventh-day Adventists will start broadcasting home-grown evangelistic programmes, in the hope that it will appeal to UK audiences." Let us hope that the distinctive and important message the Seventh-day Adventist Church has to give is not lost for our audience in Europe.

[Beverly Coysten for "ANR Bulletin," Trans-European Division, 21 January 2004]