Africa 2003 -- Hope for Our Troubled World

Evangelistic Series by Satellite
Across Africa from Zambia

Lonnie Melashenko will conduct a three-week evangelistic series in Africa from August 29 to September 20. The "Hope for Our Troubled World" meetings will be uplinked from Lusaka, capital of Zambia, by ATN on the PAS 7 satellite, which has a coverage area that includes all of Africa, plus Europe, Russia, and much of Asia. Translations in multiple languages will be aired simultaneously.

The opening night's topic, "But We See Jesus," will set the tone for the entire event. Prophecy will be emphasized--with the focus always on Jesus being at the heart of Bible prophecy. Pastor Melashenko's messages will show that understanding prophecy provides assurance in the midst of political and economic uncertainty.

His life experiences, including staring down death on more than one occasion, add a special dimension. Every topic is designed to meet people at their point of need, where they live, with hope for their future.

Bible Guides Assist in Preparation

The world edition of Discover Guides played a key role in preparing for the meetings. Besides an English version, guides were printed in Bemba and Tonga for use in Zambia, Luganda for Uganda, Tswana for Botswana, and Kiswahili for Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda, and Congo.

The four-page, two-color lessons were printed by Light Bearers Ministry in Malo, Washington, and sent by ship container to Africa.

Team Members

Pastor Melashenko says, "I'm looking forward to sharing the end-time message of the Bible with hundreds of thousands in Africa and around the world. Please pray for God's blessing on our team and on everyone who attends in Lusaka and at the satellite downlink locations."

Participating with Pastor Melashenko in the series are his wife, Jeannie; Walter Arties, VOP field services director; Kurt Johnson, Bible School director; Calvin Smith, associate Bible School director; David Coe, station coordinator; Jessica Hornaday, administrative secretary; Jan Judd, Bible School counselor and music coordinator for the Family Reunion Concerts; and Bucky Weeks, until recently an administrative assistant at the VOP and now director of international service projects/opportunities for the Florida Hospital System in Orlando, Florida. The team also includes vocalist Ullanda Innocent-Palmer; professional puppeteer Tracey Garver, who will assist with children's meetings and give short features for the adult sessions; and several technical staff.

Dr. Timothy Arnott will present health topics each night, as he did at the recent VOP satellite series in North America, "The Voice of Prophecy Speaks." Dr. Arnott is medical director at the Lifestyle Center of America in Oklahoma. Health education lectures at several venues in Lusaka will be presented by dentists Dr. Tom Murrell and Dr. Leon Grabow.

Student Participants

Theology students from two Adventist colleges in the United States -- Walla Walla College in Washington state and La Sierra University in California -- will conduct 20 simultaneous campaigns in the Lusaka area. Most of these series will be in outdoor locations with an expected average attendance of 250 or more. Duane McKey, ministerial director for the North Pacific Union Conference, will coordinate the students' ministry.