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Maranatha Volunteers International announces the launch of their first television series, "Maranatha Mission Stories," to debut on Hope Channel. The half hour show, hosted by Dick Duerksen, features mission news and stories from around the world and will be aired monthly.

Watch for regular updates on the growth of the Adventist Church in areas such as India and Central America, and Maranatha's plans to fill the urgent need for more church buildings. The program will also feature inspiring stories from communities that have been changed by mission work, as well as personal testimonies from volunteers who have been touched by Maranatha.

The first episode, airing on Hope Channel in February, takes viewers to Lake Titicaca, Peru, to visit a small, isolated congregation which has big hopes for reaching out to share the gospel. Maranatha will also introduce viewers to the exciting "1,000 Churches in 1,000 Days" project and the impact it will make. And in this episode, hear the poignant story of Aaron Bilbrey, a young volunteer with a special need who found hope and strength during a mission project.

For "Maranatha Mission Stories" broadcast schedule on Hope Channel, see www.adventist.tv
For more about Maranatha Volunteers International, visit www.maranatha.org or call (916) 920-1900.

[Maranatha Volunteers International PRESS RELEASE, Feb 18, 2004. Contact: Julie Z. Lee jlee@maranatha.org]