More than 150 locally produced television programs were recorded in Papua New Guinea as part of a three-week initiative designed to equip Adventist communicators and establish an ongoing pipeline of Hope Channel content.
The Mini Hope Project, held June 7-26 at Pacific Adventist University (PAU), is expected to become a catalyst for ongoing local content production, with Hope Channel PNG aiming to produce 13 new episodes each week, building towards a library of over 400 programs.
More than 30 people participated in the initiative as technical crew, support staff and project leaders, with the project recording a total of 153 talk shows, singing performances, sermons and filler content. Among those participating were the communication and media directors from five Adventist missions—Bougainville, Northern and Milne Bay, Eastern Highlands Simbu, Sepik, and New Britain New Ireland.
During the first week, the team was involved in setting up the studio and undertaking pre-recording training. The second and third weeks focused on producing local content.
The Korobosea Seventh-day Adventist Church communications team participated on June 21 in a day of recording singing groups from Port Moresby. Missionary Buddies, a self-funded audio-visual ministry group, also supported the project by providing a camera and technical crew throughout the three weeks.
The project was made possible through support from PAU, which shared its new online learning recording studio. As part of the initiative the studio was equipped with recording cameras, studio lighting , sound equipment and soundproofing.
Hope Channel (PNG) has now reached an agreement with PAU to continue producing local television content for the government’s National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) digital platform, Channel 7.
Papua New Guinea Union Mission communication director Reeves Papaol said the project demonstrated God’s leading in expanding the Church’s visual media ministry.
“God is doing a great thing for our visual media ministry in Papua New Guinea,” he said. “When we pray, God works. He continues to open doors and opportunities like never before, and I am excited to see Hope Channel PNG align its plans and aspirations where God is moving.”
Pastor Wayne Boehm, director of Adventist Mission, reflected on how the ministry has grown since the previous project.
“Our last Mega Project Hope in 2015 brought media teams from around the world to Papua New Guinea to produce content and train a local team,” Pastor Boehm said.
“Today, PNG presenters, producers, cameramen and editors are leading the project themselves, supported by Hope Channel South Pacific and Adventist Media. We praise God for the remarkable growth of the local Hope Channel team. With Hope Channel now broadcasting 24/7 on the NBC digital network, we are witnessing a new chapter—from missionaries bringing the gospel to Papua New Guinea to Papua New Guineans taking the gospel to their own people.”
Adventist Media production manager John Tausere said one of the most rewarding aspects of the project was seeing communication leaders gain the skills needed to create their own television programs.
“It has been so inspiring to work with our PNG mission communication directors on this project and witness their learning and growth process in understanding the workflow of production,” he said.
“They are now able to produce their own programs, writing scripts and understanding the production process up to broadcast. We look forward to seeing more local content created by this team in the coming weeks and months.”
