In recent months, Hope Channel in Fiji has received positive news from across the country about the reach of their television programs to both rural and city communities. Below are stories shared with Adventist Record about the impact that Adventist television is having in Fiji.
Methodist minister: Self-appointed Hope Channel ambassador
A senior Methodist reverend is now a big fan of Hope Channel Fiji.
He disclosed this information in a letter sent to an Adventist district close to Nausori (Eastern Viti Levu), saying that he personally encourages the 12 churches under his charge to watch the channel. He even invited Navitalai Ligaitamana—the host of the Fijian Sabbath school discussion segment—to preach at some of his churches and at gatherings of the 13 villages in the district. Some of the churches have asked for copies—both old and new—of the Sabbath school lesson booklets.
After watching Hope Channel, the Minister—who is responsible for the physical assault of some Adventist church members in Fiji some years ago—also said that he has taken the bold step of quitting Kava drinking and smoking. He now calls himself a self-appointed “Hope Ambassador”.
Representatives from Hope Channel Fiji are grateful to God for his change of heart.
Hope Channel generates discussion
Hope Channel Fiji are encouraged by the report that a community in rural Fiji start their small generator at around 7:45pm every Wednesday to watch the Fijian Sabbath school segment on Channel 8. They congregate to watch the discussion.
“Pastor, please baptise us!”
A land-owner in the Kalabu village (near Suva, Fiji), Josaia Droka, recently asked to be baptised with his family after watching Hope Channel.
He says he stumbled across the program after switching through channels on his television and saw newly appointed Hope Channel Director, Pastor Lepani Ledua, preaching on “The lamb and the book of Revelation”.
Mr Droka watched until the end of the sermon and then immediately drove to the Adventist mission office to ask for Pastor Ledua’s mobile number.
Their conversation led to a series of Bible studies and baptism in the month of December, where Mr and Mrs Droka and their three teenage boys were baptised in the Raiwaqa Seventh-day Adventist Church (Suva, Fiji).
Mr Droka is now reaching out to those living in his community.
Ministers of Christian denominations watching Hope Channel
Hope Channel Fiji’s Sabbath school host, Mr Ligaitamana, says that he is often stopped in towns and cities on Fiji’s larger islands and thanked by ministers of other Christian denominations for sharing the Word of God.
“It gives me joy and satisfaction every now and then, as I walk through the streets to be stopped and thanked by ministers of other Christian denominations who are watching [the program]. Some have gone to the extent of inviting me to preach at their gathering!” he said.
Hope Channel Fiji goes international
Hope Channel Fiji’s YouTube channel is being watched by Fijians of all denominations living outside of Fiji. Many share the show on their Facebook accounts so that their own families can watch.
