Miracle Stories from Around the World

Dear Lord, 

Bless the reader of this letter with Your heavenly peace and joy. May they feel Your presence and be moved by the miraculous stories of transformation and freedom shared within these pages. We thank You for Your countless blessings and the opportunity to be a part of Your mission sharing Your message of eternal hope with unreached people around the world. 

Amen.

I remember holding my first Bible, and I remember the moment it was taken away from me. Today, I want to share with you how this experience helped create my dream for Hope Channel International to proclaim the message of eternal hope, crossing every border, every wall, and every limitation. 

Growing up in the Soviet Union, owning a Bible wasn’t just rare – it was an act of defiance. At that time, having Christian books was against the law. We resorted to secretly copying texts like “Steps to Christ,” “The Desire of Ages,” and “The Great Controversy” on manual typewriters. Each page we produced carried a risk; being discovered by the militia or reported by a neighbor could lead to severe consequences. We typed in closets to muffle the sound, hoping to avoid any suspicion from those living nearby.

When I was just 8 years old, I embarked on a mission to Romania to secure my first Bible. Accompanied by my father, we were granted rare permission to leave the Soviet Union under the guise of visiting relatives. But our true mission was sacred. We sought to bring back Bibles for my father, my sister, my cousin, and me. 

I vividly recall the anticipation leading to seeing the blue, green, and red covers, and feeling the weight of the Bible in my hands for the first time. It was more than a book to me – it was a symbol of hope and faith.

Our return journey was tense, every mile closer to home increasing the risk of discovery. I concealed my precious cargo as best I could, knowing its discovery would mean its loss. My heart sank as soldiers boarded our train and began to search, one suitcase after another. 

The moment they found my Bible, time seemed to stand still. They pulled us from the train and interrogated my father through the night as I stood in the corridor, watched carefully by intimidating officers pacing back and forth.

That first Bible was taken from me, and my story is not unique. Across the globe, countless individuals risk everything for a chance to own a Bible, dreaming of a day when it is not a luxury but a given right. This longing, this fight for the freedom to believe, fuels my vision for a world where the Word of God is accessible to all, unrestricted by barriers or borders.

Reflecting on God’s original vision for humanity, it’s clear freedom for all was His ultimate desire – a world without prisons or chains, physical or spiritual. Jesus embodied this vision when he said, “The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me because He has anointed Me to preach the gospel to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed; to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord.” I believe this passage not only defines Jesus’ mission but also our calling at Hope Channel today.

God is doing miracles through Hope Channel all over the world. You may remember from my previous letters the phenomenal “Hope for Africa” evangelistic campaign in 2023 that resulted in the historic baptism of over 194,000 people. As part of our vision to touch the lives of 1 billion people with the message of eternal hope by 2030, today I want to share miracles happening in one of the countries of Africa where Hope Channel International has a strong presence.

Transforming Lives Behind Bars

In Malawi, a country nicknamed “The Warm Heart of Africa,” the idea of freedom takes on a different shape. Here, television is a tool for spiritual liberation, particularly for those serving sentences. 

Echoing Jesus’ mission through our actions, Hope Channel, in collaboration with the Lilongwe Central Seventh-day Adventist Church, embarked on a groundbreaking initiative named “Hope in a Cell.” This project aimed to bring the word of God to those who, by society's standards, had fallen beyond reach.

Malawi’s Maula and Kasungu Prisons stand as a testament to both the challenges and the unwavering spirit of hope that defines our work. Driven by a desire to fulfill Jesus’ mission in today’s world, Hope Channel Malawi installed 25 television screens throughout the majority of the cells. 

Although challenges remain due to budgetary constraints, Mr. Mwale, a chief officer in one of the prisons, shared his observations that through engaging with Hope Channel's programming, the inmates gained a deeper understanding of Jesus Christ. This led to a noticeable decrease in violence, theft, and substance abuse. Amen!

A Testament of Change

The story of James, an inmate at Kasungu Prison vividly illustrates the impact of Hope Channel’s outreach to prisoners. Once known as one of the most troubled inmates, James found purpose through the broadcasts of Hope Channel. Serving a 10-year sentence for robbery, his journey from anger and despair to peace and joy is nothing short of miraculous.

While watching Hope Channel Malawi, James started studying the Bible, praying, and attending Sabbath services in the prison chapel. Following a two-week evangelism campaign at Kasungu Prison, James was baptized, along with 121 other inmates! James' story is a testament to the power of God's word to heal the broken and offer hope to those in the darkest of places.

The Work is Not Done

When my Bible was taken from me as a child, I waited four long years before I secured a new one. My years of yearning for God’s word reflect the same hunger we see in these prisons.

Hope Channel desires to install television sets in every prison cell in Malawi, reaching those who otherwise may be cut off from hearing the message of eternal hope. When I see how God has worked in these two prisons alone, I cannot begin to imagine the miracles still to come. Like James who found freedom even while being imprisoned, more inmates will be introduced to a loving Creator who calls them by name. 

I recently visited New Zealand, where I learned Hope ChanneI is one of the most known Christian channels in that country, receiving multiple Bible study requests from the prisoners each week. They are living testament to God’s promise to set the oppressed free.

As we reflect on these stories, I invite you to consider Matthew 25:36, where Jesus said, "I was in prison and you came to me." This is a challenge for every Christian to minister to our brothers and sisters who find themselves locked in chains. We are called to extend the love and hope of Jesus to every soul, no matter where they are. 

As I share this incredible story from Malawi, let’s also celebrate the global reach of Hope Channel International. With a network of 83 channels worldwide, covering over 100 languages, we’re touching the lives of prisoners and other unreached people across the globe. From the bustling cities of South America to the remote villages of Asia, the message of eternal hope is breaking chains and bringing freedom to those longing to hear it.

We pray every day Hope Channel is led by God, and we trust He will provide the funds for these life-changing initiatives. It is time we broadcast the eternal hope that Jesus Christ alone can bring. Thank you for being a part of the ministry of proclaiming freedom, healing, and eternal hope to every son and daughter of God around the world. 

In His service,

Vyacheslav Demyan

President of Hope Channel International

P.S. Our mission to spread hope extends beyond all barriers, even the walls of a prison. Our vision is bold: to touch the lives of 1 billion people with the message of eternal hope by the year 2030. Thank you for joining us in this crucial mission. Together, let's ensure the gift of freedom reaches every cell and every heart.