Hope on a Global Scale

1 May 2025 | Dubai, United Arab Emirates [Daniel Kluska with tedNEWS]

The 2025 Network Leadership Conference (NLC), organised by Hope Channel International, took place in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, from 29 April to 1 May. With a bold vision to reach 1 billion people with the gospel by 2030, the event brought together global Adventist media leaders to adopt a new strategy, share experiences, and reaffirm their commitment to innovation and mission.

The gathering began with a dinner on Friday evening, where participants shared experiences and formed new connections. On Saturday, worship was held at Dubai Central Adventist Church, located in the heart of the Holy Trinity Compound. This compound is a unique sacred and cultural space, designed to foster dialogue between diverse Christian communities. Thanks to its architecture—a blend of glass, steel, and traditional Islamic motifs—the building has become one of the most recognisable religious landmarks in Dubai, symbolising unity amid cultural and spiritual diversity. Pastor Alex Bryant, president of the North American Division of Seventh-day Adventists (NAD), delivered a powerful message on the need for unity and the call to spread the Good News.

On Sunday, participants had the opportunity to visit Dubai’s Museum of the Future, a striking, doughnut-shaped building covered in Arabic calligraphy. The museum transports visitors to the year 2071, marking 100 years since the founding of the United Arab Emirates. Inside, interactive exhibits explore cutting-edge developments in artificial intelligence, robotics, regenerative medicine, and sustainability. The museum also houses research labs and workshop spaces where visitors can engage hands-on with emerging technologies.

Creative Disruption: A Media Mandate

The working sessions began on Monday morning, following a devotional led by Pastor Bryant. Vyacheslav Demyan, president of Hope Channel International, opened with a keynote titled “Hope Starts Here,” focusing on the concept of creative disruption in media. He cited Dubai’s transformation as a metaphor for the kind of bold, innovative change needed in faith-based broadcasting. “We cannot stick to what was; we must take risks to create something new that will reach people all over the world,” Demyan said.

He also introduced the initiative to reach 1 billion people by 2030, calling for the use of emerging platforms and technologies to go beyond traditional frameworks. “To meet this goal, we must break outdated models and take a creative approach to media production,” he emphasised.

Following that, Josias Silva, financial director of Novo Tempo (Hope Channel Brazil), addressed the importance of collaboration between media ministries and local churches, especially when reaching those unfamiliar with the gospel. He called for tighter integration to amplify impact.

A Strategic Partnership

During the conference, Dr John Shin, president of the Adventist Medical Evangelism Network (AMEN), announced a strategic partnership with Hope Channel International. This alliance aims to create health-focused outreach initiatives with an international mindset. Through a combination of AMEN’s medical insight and Hope Channel’s modern formats—video series, podcasts, and live events—the partnership seeks to overcome cultural barriers and thrive where traditional evangelism may struggle.

The partnership includes plans for educational programmes, webinars, and community missions offering free health screenings and consultations, connecting these efforts to the message of hope. The long-term ambition is to build a global ecosystem that shows how faith and medicine can work hand in hand to restore lives. Over the next five years, the partnership will be open to stakeholders wishing to collaborate.

Perseverance and Collaboration

Kugonza Isaac, CEO of Hope Channel Uganda, shared a message highlighting that innovation must be accompanied by resilience and unwavering dedication, even when facing obstacles. He urged participants to remain persistent in their mission and to “PUSH” – Pray Until Something Happens.

Later sessions featured speakers such as Ole Pederson, CEO of Hope Channel New Zealand, Brad Kemp, CEO of Adventist Media Australia, and Felipe Silva, Broadcast Assistant at Hope Channel USA, who explored the benefits of partnering with organisations outside the Adventist Church. Co-productions with external entities were presented as a way to create content that is more relatable and accessible to a broader audience.

Following that, Richard Stephenson, General Conference Associate Treasurer, explored how emerging technologies like artificial intelligence can support the mission. “Media is only a tool—but it is the Holy Spirit who guides our activities,” he remarked, underscoring that all innovation must serve the church’s mission.

A New Digital Strategy

The conference provided an ideal opportunity for the new digital strategy to be adopted by the whole network. The document, a product of the work of the Media & Engagement Netscom Subcommittee, presented a strategy centred on audience engagement to boost mission effectiveness. This strategy not only covers programme production but also real-time interactivity, live broadcasts, and social media engagement.

In the final remarks, Demyan highlighted how the adopted strategy laid out a clear roadmap for reaching 1 billion people with the gospel by 2030 and renewed the call for innovation and collaboration. “Hope Channel’s future depends on our ability to grow dynamically and cooperate internationally.”