Leaders adopt a global licensing model, welcome a new media network and outline strategies to connect more viewers with Bible study and local churches.

November 1, 2026 | Bogotá, Colombia | Libna Stevens, Inter-American Division News

Seventh-day Adventist leaders across the Inter-American Division (IAD) approved plans to expand the church’s media outreach during the Hope Channel Inter-America (HCIA) Network Administrative Board meeting in Bogotá, Colombia, on October 30.

The board adopted a global licensing model for local media networks, approved a new media system in Costa Rica and recommended expanding its membership to include presidents of IAD institutions. Leaders also reviewed programming growth and strategies to connect television, radio and digital audiences with Bible study and local churches.

Abel Márquez, president of Hope Channel Inter-America, reports on the network’s expansion and evangelistic initiatives during the administrative board meeting on October 30, 2026, in Bogotá, Colombia. [Photo: Daniel Gallardo/IAD]
Media as Missionaries

Sam Neves, vice president of Hope Channel International, commended Inter-America’s media development and emphasized the network’s evangelistic purpose.

“The Hope Channel Network has 90 Hope Channels around the world. Hope Channel Inter-America is one of them,” Neves said.

“We send media, videos, we send posts online, we send images, we send media as missionaries,” he added. “They work as missionaries to reach people for Jesus.”

Neves compared modern media ministry to the apostle Paul’s letters, which continue sharing the gospel centuries after they were written. He also recognized IAD President Abner De los Santos and HCIA Executive Director Abel Márquez for their leadership and support.

Sam Neves highlights the importance of expanding Hope Channel’s media reach and strengthening collaboration across the territory during the administrative board meeting on October 30, 2026, in Bogotá, Colombia. [Photo: Daniel Gallardo/IAD]
Expanding the Hope Media Network

Márquez outlined HCIA’s evolution from a television channel supported by union production centers into an interconnected network of television, radio and digital ministries.

He explained that the structure established in 2025 allows unions to develop their own Hope Media systems and seek formal recognition within the worldwide Hope Channel network.

The approach, he said, will support the church’s OneVoice2027 evangelistic initiative and its public outreach message, All Things New.

Ramiro Quero, director of Network Strategy, Development, and Training at Hope Channel International, outlined the organization’s licensing efforts and presented a three-phase process for recognizing local media networks. The process includes defining each network’s purpose, establishing governance and financial structures, and developing a strategic plan for content production, distribution, and audience engagement.

Leaders raise their hands to approve the global licensing framework aimed at strengthening and expanding the Hope Channel Inter-America media network during the Administrative Board meeting on October 30, 2026. [Photo: Daniel Gallardo/IAD]
The process also emphasizes connecting interested audiences with local congregations.

During the discussion, Luis Rivera, president of the Puerto Rican Union, requested an implementation timetable to guide unions through the licensing process. Márquez said a strategic roadmap was being developed.

The board voted to adopt the international licensing model for Hope Media networks across Inter-America.

Shared Tools, Growing Reach

Keila Trejo of the HCIA team introduced Hope Cloud, a platform connecting media ministries worldwide through shared content, production resources, broadcasting tools, analytics and online Bible study materials.

Keila Trejo, community manager shares insights on Hope Channel Inter-America’s media initiatives and efforts to engage audiences during the administrative board meeting. [Photos: Daniel Gallardo/IAD]
“The media centers stop working in isolation and become part of a network,” Trejo explained, highlighting opportunities for smaller ministries to distribute and translate their productions without developing separate technological infrastructure.

During the operations report, Lizbeth Elejalde, HCIA’s programming director, reported 17 new Spanish-language programs during the year, totaling more than 2,562 minutes of content.

The productions included documentaries, music, Bible studies, testimonies and dramatic programming developed with union media teams. Among the releases was Milagros, a cinematic production that premiered in Monterrey, Mexico.

Márquez also highlighted collaboration supporting French-language programming and ongoing efforts to strengthen English-language production.

Luis Paredes, president of the East Venezuela Union, captures a moment with his cellphone during the board meeting on October 30, 2026, in Bogotá, Colombia. [Photo: Daniel Gallardo/IAD]
Turning Audiences Into Disciples

Miqueas Fortunato, responsible for audience engagement and radio coordination, emphasized that media outreach must lead beyond viewership to personal spiritual decisions.

“Our goal is for every minute of our content to translate into Bible studies and transformed lives,” he said.

Fortunato reported that 27 additional cable operators in northern Colombia had begun carrying the Hope Channel signal, expanding its potential audience.

He also highlighted 15 baptisms in Panama resulting from Bible school outreach, illustrating how media contacts can lead to Bible study and connections with local churches.

The goal, he explained, is to establish similar audience engagement and Bible school systems throughout the territory.

Inter-American Division President Abner De los Santos chairs the Hope Channel Inter-America Administrative Board meeting, emphasizing the importance of media evangelism and connecting viewers with local churches. [Photo: Daniel Gallardo/IAD]
Pastor De los Santos, who chaired the board meeting, welcomed the progress and urged leaders to ensure that evangelistic outreach is followed by ongoing discipleship.

The board voted to accept the network’s operations report.

Stronger Institutional Collaboration

Márquez presented Hope Channel International’s emerging strategic framework, centered on missional reach, network unity, innovation and shared resources. HCIA is developing a corresponding regional plan titled Building Our Missional Future.

Board members also voted to recommend that the IAD Executive Committee include presidents of IAD institutions on the HCIA administrative board.

Ricardo Marín, president of the Costa Rican Union, highlights how opportunities and resources have come together to mark a new chapter in media evangelism through the new Hope Channel Costa Rica media center as he addresses board members. [Photo: Daniel Gallardo/IAD]
De los Santos emphasized opportunities for theological institutions, universities, publishing houses and health-related organizations to contribute specialized programming and strengthen the church’s collective outreach.

The board also approved Esperanza Costa Rica as a new media system within the HCIA network.

Ricardo Marín, president of the Costa Rican Union, described the integration of radio and television operations as a significant step requiring investment in equipment, facilities, and personnel, as well as support from volunteers.

Opening the meeting with a devotional based on Psalm 84, De los Santos reminded leaders that their primary calling is to walk with God and reflect His character.

Throughout the discussions, he emphasized that media ministry must do more than distribute content, it must help people develop a relationship with Christ and become active disciples.