Bucarest, Romania [CD EUDNews; COM Romania]. In the 90s, a religious radio station was initiated for the first time in a former communist country. This was a real miracle because their secularism and religious traditions made any new views or beliefs almost impossible.
After 20 years of Adventist media in Romania, representatives of the Communication Department and Speranta TV (Hope Channel Romania) and Radio Vocea Sperantei (Voice of Hope Radio, RVS) met on Saturday, May 11, in Brasov. Apart from the celebrations, the participants attended workshops on benefits and use of media and modern technology in conveying Christian values.
“The Bible says that the Gospel of Christ needs to be preached to all the world, but secular people are not used to listening to sermons. Therefore we should use other types of communication, such as conversation, dialogue, interviews and illustrations. I think we have to use any form of communication to reach the people of the world.” said Benjamin Schoun, Vice-president of the Seventh-day Adventist world church during an interview for Speranta TV.
“We try to communicate hope. Many people are desperate and do not see any future for themselves. But we expect a bright future, the Bible tells us so,” said Matthias Müller, director of the European Adventist Media Center “Stimme der Hoffnung” and he highlighted, “our TV channel is directed at people who are not members yet. The people in the church have the opportunity every weekend, every Sabbath, to listen to a good sermon, to exchange ideas, and thereby get information that would improve their lives. But those outside the church, most likely do not have this opportunity. Our programs are aimed at those who do not yet belong to the church.”
It started with a team of three in 1993, but the Adventist Media center now has around 60 employees and 20 helpers. From two hours a day of radio broadcast, RVS has become a network of 45 local stations broadcasting 24 hours a day plus other five local stations with a limited broadcasting time. Speranta TV can be received by 80% of the Romanian homes, both channels also broadcast online and are on the most important social networks used by Romanians. Speranta TV is the first Romanian television to broadcast 24/7 on Facebook.
“It is difficult to anticipate what God has in store for us when He leads in a ministry. And I see that God has led this ministry in a spectacular way! I think that the Adventist Media Center is one of the most blessed media institutions in the world,” said Daniel Nae, the first RVS director.
But the history of Romanian programs goes back even before the ’89 Revolution. During the communist era, the Seventh-day Adventists were listening to radio programs recorded in Germany by Pastor Aurel Palasan and doctor Emil Radulescu and broadcasted on shortwave by Stimme der Hoffnung. “I am amazed how much was done here in Romania, even in the time of communism,” confessed Benjamin Schoun, adding, “Great courage has been demonstrated by the Adventist people in Romania as they continued to be faithful in carrying forward the best they could under their limited circumstances. And now, this greater freedom just enables the people to do more, to do bigger things!”
The testimonies of those who have come to know the Gospel by listening to RVS and watching Speranta TV prove that the media message can reach any home, even those unreachable by missionaries. Using the most modern technological means and with average people who are committed to the mission, God can make a difference in people’s lives, giving them peace, meaning and hope.
Pastor Nelu Burcea, former director of the Adventist Media Center and the current Communication Director for the Romanian Union Conference, said, “We must know ourselves better; we must know who we are in order to know from where to begin and where we are heading. Our communication must be adapted to our times. Our biggest problem is that we want to communicate a millennial truth, still using the same old way it was transmitted one hundred years ago. I think that we have to keep the truth filled with morality, spirituality, but using up-to-date means in transmitting it. I think that adapting our communication to the current means has become imperative for the church. I am glad for the impact of Adventist media in the Romanian setting.”
“I am amazed at the way God has led RVS and Speranta TV all these years and I see that His plans are fulfilled despite our imperfections. Even with all human limits, I appreciate the contribution of those who, during these 20 years, have dedicated their time to spreading the Gospel. I hope that in the coming years they will help RVS and Speranta TV to become more efficient in communicating the good news of salvation to all those who seek God,” said Valeriu Petrescu, Director of the Adventist Media Center.
“I think that the Adventist Media Center is a lighthouse in the middle of the storm. In the darkness of the night, the lighthouse shows the way to people traveling in the middle of the sea. That is the function of the media center – constantly providing news, information, inspiration, motivating people, transforming hearts and giving everyone the possibility and privilege of feeling the presence of the Holy Spirit,” concluded Williams Costa Jr., Communication Director of the Seventh-day Adventist world church.
pictures: 1. Nelu Burcea, Communications Director in Romania, Valeriu Petrescu, Romanian Union President, Ben Shoun, GC Vice-President, Williams Costa, GC Communications Director; 2. Ben Shoun, Kirsten Oster-Lundquist, Communications and Media Director Southern England Conference, Matthias Mueller, EUD Media Center Director in Darmstadt, Williams Costa; 3. Corrado Cozzi, EUD Communications Director; 4. Ben Shoun, Valeriu Petrescu, Nelu Burcea and Williams Costa;