Our Leadership
Hope Channel International is a God-led ministry, guided by a team committed to mission-first leadership, global collaboration, and faithful stewardship. With diverse experience in media, ministry, and strategy, our leaders guide this movement with vision, humility, and a heart for the gospel.
Vyacheslav Demyan
President
Vyacheslav’s journey began in Soviet Ukraine, where at just eight years old, the KGB confiscated his very first Bible. Growing up in an environment of religious oppression, he spent his youth secretly copying Scripture. This act sparked a lifelong calling to share God’s Word with others. His path led him into both theology and journalism, combining spiritual depth with communication skills. He earned his bachelor’s degree in theology from Bogenhofen Seminary in Austria and served as a pastor and evangelist. In 2008, he helped establish Hope Channel Ukraine, which became the country’s largest Christian television network. In 2019, he joined Hope Channel International as Vice President of Programming and was elected President in 2023. With master’s and doctoral studies focused on missiology and contextualization, Vyacheslav has a strong passion for mission and innovation.
Maurine Wahlen, MBA, CPA
Vice President for Finance & Administration
Maurine serves as our CFO, leading HCI’s financial strategy, compliance, and administrative operations to support our global mission. She will also serve as Corporate Secretary.
Maurine has over 25 years of experience in auditing, teaching, personnel development, and financial management, most recently as Associate Director for Professional Development at the General Conference Auditing Service. Her background includes service in North America and Asia and leadership roles within denominational finance.
Robbie Berghan
Vice President for Global Media and Engagement
Robbie Berghan combines media innovation with evangelistic purpose. As the national content manager for Faith FM in Australia, he transformed a radio network into a digital mission field, connecting listeners to Bible studies, churches, and baptisms through data-driven outreach. His ministry includes church planting, cross-cultural media, and strategic content development across several continents. At Hope Channel International, he now oversees global media engagement, strengthening partnerships and creating digital pathways to hope. Robbie serves alongside his wife, Rebeka, and their children, Arris and Ariella.
Sam Neves
Vice President for Advancement and Communication
Sam's calling began as his mother's miracle child in Brazil, dedicated to ministry from birth. His multicultural journey started early. During his education in England, he lived among 40+ nationalities and later pastored churches with 50+ nationalities, which uniquely prepared him for global communication ministry. With a PhD in Digital Communication from the University of Westminster, eleven years of pastoral ministry in London, and nine years as Associate Director of Communication at the General Conference, Sam brings both pastoral heart and digital innovation to Hope Channel.
As Vice President for Advancement and Communication, he leads global efforts in strategic communications, brand advancement, donor engagement, and media relations. His vision is uncompromising: "We will not stop until every human being alive has been given a chance to understand the eternal gospel." Sam serves alongside his wife Amy and their three sons.