ope Channel, the Seventh-day Adventist Church-operated television channel, has expanded its satellite reach in Southeast Asia to include the countries of Sri Lanka, Myanmar, and Pakistan.

Hope Channel executives joined leaders from the Adventist Church’s Southern Asia-Pacific Division in celebrating the expansion of the local affiliate, Hope Channel Philippines, at a special convention in Silang, Cavite, Philippines, last weekend.

“We certainly want to rejoice with all of our brothers and sisters for this wonderful occasion to celebrate Hope Channel Philippines,” said Stephen R. Guptill, president of the Adventist International Institute of Advanced Studies (AIIAS). “We praise God for this day. … It is something we have been praying for many years.”

The main production studio, housed on the AIIAS campus, is now uplinked to a new GSAT satellite that will expand coverage across all of the Philippines and as far away as Sri Lanka, Myanmar, and Pakistan.

Derek Morris, president of Hope Channel International, challenged those gathered at the AIIAS Seventh-day Adventist Church on Sabbath to become laborers with the Lord of the harvest and partner in telling others about Christ’s soon return. Morris, who became president of Hope Channel last April, shared his personal testimony about how his parents joined the church as a result of media ministry.

Hope Channel has more than 40 affiliates around the world.

The link to the new satellite went live during the Sabbath morning worship service, which was attended by Hope Channel Philippines president Nelson Paulo; Jonathan Catolico, head of the Philippine Publishing House; and church leaders from across the division.

Catolico shared his appreciation for Hope Channel’s expansion, which includes increased access for online streaming.

“This is a new beginning through which we can be heard and seen worldwide,” he said.

(AR)