The Seventh-day Adventist Church in Vanuatu recently hosted their annual Sounds of Hope musical festival. Held at Epauto Adventist Multi Purpose Centre, the celebrations this year commemorated 107 years of sharing the gospel in Vanuatu, with a special program held each evening from Sunday, June 9, until Wednesday, June 12.
Thousands of people attended the festival over the course of the week, with even more experiencing the celebrations online. Over a seven-day period, Sounds of Hope 2019 reached 17,200 people through livestream and social media, with post engagements by 13,700 people.
The festival was officially opened by the Tertiary Education for Vanuatu director Anne Rose Tjiobang. Each evening, the programs were filled with original songs and choir performances by Topua Youth, Franky Dick, Kawariki Children’s Choir, He Speaks, Olwi Youth Boys, Mahalia Kai, Gospel Voice, Freshwind Youth, Wiles Memorial Singers and many others. Presentations were also made about Adventist history, as well as a special children’s corner. Mission secretary Pastor Kaio Timothy delivered the final speech.
The celebrations were centered around the theme “Hope to My City” and Romans 13:15:
“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”
The music and presentations made a powerful impact on everyone who attended the programs.
“I was in tears in some of the presentations,” said Denny Kaio, an audience member.
The Adventist Church partnered with Vanuatu Skills Partnership, an organisation that works with disabilities in Vanuatu, to deliver sign language to deaf people in the congregation.
“It was an eye opener for Vanuatu,” says Vanuatu Skills Partnership. “Thank you Sounds of Hope.”
The annual Sounds of Hope festival began in 2012, with event organisers hoping to host the event again next year.
