Media has been a key tool used to reach the population of one of the most remote countries in the world during the Kiribati for Christ campaign. The campaign’s evening sessions have been live streamed on Facebook and YouTube as well as on Hope Radio—the Church’s FM station that covers the atoll of Tarawa.
Kiribati is spread across 33 atolls and islands, four different time zones and all four hemispheres.
Streaming Kiribati for Christ on the radio means that more than half the population of Kiribati has access to the programs. However, the station only covers Tarawa, the capital.
“Through live stream, we reach the outer islands,” said Kiribati Mission communication director Tarataake Angiraoi. “We also believe there are many Kiribati-speaking people living elsewhere in the Pacific, including New Zealand and Australia. We hope they have been part of our broadcast every day.”
Church leaders have chosen one of the six sites on Tarawa to be live streamed on the Kiribati for Christ Facebook page, created just one month before the campaign but with already nearly 1600 followers. Each site is also live streaming on their local church’s Facebook pages. Mr Angiraoi explained how this has been made possible through help from several volunteers from Hope Channel Solomon Islands. “We’re very fortunate that they have assisted us,” he said.
The Church in Kiribati has faced difficulty getting the message out due to opposition from other denominations. “They have the numbers,” said Mr Angiraoi. “They believe they were here first, and when we plan an evangelistic meeting, they’ll plan their own thing to keep their members busy.” Despite potential interest in what Adventists believe, particularly around the Sabbath, the community is often dissuaded by church leaders to attend Adventist events.
“But media cannot be monitored,” Mr Angiraoi explained. Church leaders believe that livestreaming the Kiribati for Christ meetings reaches thousands. “The other church leaders can’t stop them because they can listen through mobile phones or on their own radios in their cars,” said Mr Angiraoi.
Another way the Adventist Church in Kiribati has drawn intrigue from the community is through a youth music video initiative, where a group of young people are in the process of recording an album titled Kiribati for Christ. Their videos, featuring young people singing on the beaches, have garnered much attention on the Kiribati for Christ Facebook page.
“A lot of young people are finding taking part in Church programs fulfilling. Some of them are saying that these music videos are among the most memorable moments in their lives,” said Kiribati Mission youth director Leeden Aluta.
The Church has been able to spread the word about Kiribati for Christ programs through the several videos about the recordings that have been posted. Mr Aluta said he thinks of the future videos currently in production as “a post-campaign tool” that they can use to connect people with Jesus.
“Media plays an important part in reaching the unreached,” said Mr Angiraoi. “People have come to know us. But there is more to be done and we believe that we will cover every part of Kiribati because this is what Kiribati for Christ is.”
