.

Back to News

Impressive Ceremony to Launch Esperanza TV, Costa Rica

Posted on Aug 15 2013

Esperanza TV, the Spanish speaking version of the international Hope Channel, was launched in Costa Rica, during the opening ceremony of the 13th Annual ASI-IAD Convention. This was held on Wednesday August 14, 2013 at the Barcelo, San Jose Palacio Hotel, in San Jose Costa Rica. The Board of Directors and the executives took the stage to share their joy at having this dream realize.

Chairman, Pastor Ernal Scott emotionally spoke of how this marked an important milestone in the Seventh-day Adventist evangelistic efforts in the country. Eduardo Viales the coordinator of the program who is also the Treasurer and Communication Director of the Central/South Costa Rica Conference thanked all the persons who were involved in this project. He highlighted that of the twenty-two persons who are working on the project over ninety percent are volunteers. Even more astounding was the revelation that some of them were not even Seventh-day Adventist, but were no the less, passionate about the mission.

This television network, which will be broadcast on channel 38 in the cities and channel 47 in the rural areas, is estimated to have a potential listening audience of over two million persons. Live streaming will also be available as well as on Cable Company. Many persons have been calling in to seek additional information.  He thanked 3ABN for its help during the initial stages and also Pastor Wellington, who was always interested in helping them to move forward. Abel Marquez, Associate Communication Director, Inter-American Division, spoke of how this dream started during a communication summit some years ago, and how the idea grew to its realization today.

Since its brief initial introduction, testimonies have already come in of how lives are being affected by the sharing of the Gospel. A video presentation was shown of a man who was about to take his life when he turned to channel 38 and heard the Word of God. He called the station and the lady who answered prayed with him, and encouraged him not to kill himself.  He subsequently kept in touch with her and attended some meetings that she invited him to. He turned his life around through the grace of God and now even his health has improved and he has started to share with his associates how his life was changed.

Pastor Dennis Krause, Vice President of Hope Channel, who was a special guest at the Convention congratulated the team and welcomed them to the family of channels. He also presented the chairman with a beautiful plaque to commemorate the event.