Columbia Union Region Powers Global Mission Milestone for Hope Channel International

Columbia Union Region Powers Global Mission Milestone for Hope Channel International

Members of the Columbia Union are part of a historic milestone for Hope Channel International (HCI). Within the Columbia Union’s territory, the General Conference (GC) datacenter in Silver Spring, Maryland, will host the most critical core server cluster of HCI’s globally distributed, Adventist-owned digital content delivery network. These servers will play a vital role in supporting Hope.Cloud technology, the digital backbone that empowers Hope Channels around the world to share Christ-centered content, translate programs, and provide tools for mission-focused collaboration.

Richard Stephenson, associate treasurer for the General Conference, was instrumental in making this possible. As a member of Hagerstown Adventist Church and a member of the Mt. Aetna Adventist School Board, his leadership reflects the spirit of Columbia Union members, whose passion for sharing the gospel drives innovation and mission progress.

“This historic transition marks a watershed moment as the Adventist Church, through Hope Channel International, successfully launches its first-ever worldwide private cloud network,” said Stephenson. “This achievement represents not just technical innovation but a powerful demonstration of synergy and cooperation in the Church. To God be the glory!”

Columbia Union Members are Part of This Mission

The Columbia Union is uniquely positioned to play a key role in advancing this global initiative. Through the efforts of its members employed as IT professionals in our church institutions, the Columbia Union is contributing to the global effort that allows more than 80 Hope Channels around the world to create and share content in over 100 languages, bringing hope to millions. Members of the Columbia Union can take pride in knowing their region is supporting efforts to reach the unreached.

This transition will directly benefit viewers in the Columbia Union and around the world by ensuring fast and reliable access to live programming and on-demand streaming through HopeTV.org. Additionally, it enables Hope Channel International to operate independently of commercial providers for this mission-critical part of its operations, safeguarding the mission in a rapidly changing digital landscape. The collaborative effort is a testament to the ongoing commitment of Columbia Union members to spread our hope in Jesus worldwide.

From the selection of enterprise-grade hardware to the creation of automated deployment systems, every technical choice supports the mission to share eternal hope. For a deeper look at the innovative infrastructure powering this effort, read technical insights from Justin Woods, senior director of technology at Hope Channel International.

A Shared Vision for the Gospel

“This project reflects the heart of Columbia Union members who share a passion for the gospel,” said Vyacheslav Demyan, president of Hope Channel International. “Their dedication and support make it possible to share the message of eternal hope with people around the world.”

This initiative is also a vital step in Hope Channel International’s vision to reach one billion people with the message of eternal hope by 2030. Members of the Columbia Union are helping to make this vision a reality by being part of a global team committed to sharing the gospel through innovation and unity.