Adventist Television Connects with Millions in Colombia

Hope Channel Inter-America leads people to choose Jesus amid major social challenges.

September 9, 2025 | Bogota, Colombia | Laura Acosta and Inter-American Division News

In Colombia, a country with a population of more than 52 million and a complex social reality, the Seventh-day Adventist Church has found in television an effective means to share the gospel, regional church leaders recently reported. “Although there is still no national Adventist television channel, the Esperanza Colombia project has managed to establish weekly slots on open television, as part of a multichannel evangelism strategy that is already showing visible results,” they reported.

Currently, Adventist programs are broadcast through two of the most well-known networks across the nation: El Tiempo Television, and City TV. Broadcast includes “Messages of Life,” with Pastor Henry Beltrán, president of the South Colombian Union and “Escrito Está” (It is Written) with Pastor Robert Costa. The offer has generated more than 3 million views in 2025 and has motivated hundreds of people to contact the Adventist Church to be prayed for, study the Bible, or visit a congregation, leaders reported. Hundreds of baptisms have already resulted from those interactions.

Life Stories About TV’s Impact

The Salamanca-Suescún family, from Bogotá, felt spiritually empty. “I prayed to God for direction, but I didn’t know which way to go,” shared Sandra, the mother in the family. She was drawn to an episode of Escrito Está and the invitation on screen that read, “We Want to Pray for You.” That very same day she decided to contact the network.

Sandra shared that Rubén, a Bible worker, prayed with her and began giving Bible studies to her and her husband Fernando. “We wanted to seek God, but only through the Bible,” Sandra said. Little by little, they learned about the biblical Sabbath, the judgment, the state of the dead, and rediscovered practices such as tithing. “Before it was more about emotions,” she added. “This time it was out of conviction,” Sandra said.

Currently, after their baptisms, the family attends an Adventist congregation in southern Bogotá. “We want our children to grow up with solid foundations, knowing the truth and living with hope,” they shared.

Finding Certainty

Another story comes from Said Valentín and María Ileana, a Venezuelan migrant couple who arrived in Bogotá looking for stability. They worked in various jobs, living with uncertainty, and struggled with a spiritual disconnection. One day, Said turned on the television and came across the program “Escrito Está.” “The pastor’s message touched me,” Said said. “On the third day, I scanned the code to study the Bible. I felt it was urgent.

Mariana, a volunteer on the care team, responded to Said’s message. Soon after, Said received a call from Rubén and together with his then partner, began to receive Bible studies. Eventually, they decided to get married and get baptized at Palermo Adventist Church in Bogotá. “We felt lovingly welcomed,” María Ileana shared. “We want our names to be recorded in the Book of Life, but we also wish many others to be there, and we are praying for it.”

A System Connected to Churches

These results are part of a multichannel evangelism model developed by the communications team of the South Colombian Union (SOCU) in 2024 under the theme “Building Bridges of Hope,” regional church leaders reported. “The care of each interest follows a carefully designed system,” they shared. “When someone watches a program and scans the QR code or writes to the number on the screen, Mariana answers, prays for the people and listens to their need. Then, Rubén Campos, a Bible instructor, gets involved. He offers virtual or in-person Bible studies or connects the person with a pastor. The interest is eventually integrated to a local congregation, where they continue in a process of discipleship.”

One of the key tools in this strategy is the Esperanza Chatbot, an automated assistant on WhatsApp that allows access to more than 15 free Bible courses. Those who complete the studies receive a digital certificate, leaders explained. “This platform has become a simple and accessible resource for those who want to deepen their faith from their cell phones,” they said.

Pastor Beltrán, who is also the communication director of the South Colombian Union, said that the church’s mission is to maximize the message’s reach. “There are many people who would never attend a church, but they do allow us to enter their homes through television, radio, or their cell phone,” he said. “So, each media outlet is a door that we use responsibly and purposefully.”

Sharing the Gospel in Colombia

Lately, Colombia has been facing social, economic, and spiritual headwinds, Adventist leaders in the region reported. According to national statistics, domestic violence affected more than 45,000 people in Bogotá in 2023. Mental health challenges are also a growing problem, with only 12 percent of those affected receiving timely treatment. At the same time, 13 percent of the population considers themselves unchurched.

“These data support the need for content that offers comfort, truth, and spiritual direction,” Adventist leaders said. “Media is a channel that can help people learn about the message of the Bible.”

The current initiative faces challenges, including personnel and financial constraints, leaders reported. But despite current hurdles, there are opportunities ahead. “The strategy is already bearing fruit as a network of volunteers keeps active and committed and new spaces open on national media to share the gospel.”

To learn more about tis this initiative and more, visit South Colombian Union at unioncolombiadelsur.org