Hope Channel International Partners With Babcock University On Global Health and Gospel Evangelism

As preparations for the Arise in Hope mega satellite evangelistic campaign, and the global Reach 1 Billion by 2030 initiative of the Seventh-day Adventist Church reach a feverish pitch, a delegation from Hope Channel International has visited Babcock University to strengthen collaboration. 

President/Vice Chancellor of the university, Prof. Afolarin Ojewole represented by Senior Vice President Academics, Prof. Jonathan Nwosu, received the team with other top officers and expressed delight at the proposed partnership.

Vice President of Hope Channel International Associate Communication Director at the General Conference in Silver Spring, Maryland USA, Dr. Sam Neves says the goal of the initiative is to reach 1 billion people by the year 2030

“Nigeria’s large population makes it vital to move beyond traditional media and embrace emerging technologies that can reach unreached populations, including those in restricted regions.”

The team lead, Pastor (Dr.) Ezekiel Adeleye, Babcock Pro-Chancellor and President of the Western Nigeria Union Mission of the Church also lent his voice to the proposed collaboration. 

With him were: Elder Abraham Bakri, Communication Director at the Church’s West-Central Africa Division in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire; Pastor John Alabi, Evangelism Coordinator of the Western Nigeria Union Conference; US-based Bible workers Joseph and Veronica Somers and Elder George Egwakhe, retired Associate Treasurer at the General Conference.

The visit focused on preparations for the mega media evangelism programme scheduled for April 26 – May 9, 2026, at the Indoor Sports Complex, University of Lagos (UNILAG). 

Expected to be one of the largest outreach efforts in recent times, the programme will feature Elder Paul Douglas, Treasurer of the General Conference of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, Prof. Afolarin Ojewole and Dr. Chidi Ngwaba. a British physician specializing in lifestyle medicine and plant-based nutrition, known for his work in reversing chronic lifestyle-related diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, and heart disease. 

He is also a prominent speaker, media contributor, and founder of a Harley Street lifestyle medicine clinic

Babcock University, the Seventh-day Adventist institution with the largest student population worldwide, is positioned to play a strategic role in achieving this milestone.

Pix:Vice President of Hope Channel International Associate Communication Director at the General Conference in Silver Spring, Maryland USA, Dr. Sam Neves makes a point during the visit. Seated next to him are: Communication Director at the Church’s West-Central Africa Division in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, Elder Abraham Bakri and US-based Bible worker, Joseph Somers

Pix: Babcock University Senior Vice President Academics, Prof. Jonathan Nwosu, Dr. Sam Neves, Vice President of Hope Channel International Associate Communication Director at the General Conference in Silver Spring, Maryland USA, Dr. Sam Neves, Babcock Pro-Chancellor and President of the Western Nigeria Union Mission of the Church, Pastor (Dr.) Ezekiel Adeleye, (5th - 7th left) Second left is Communication Director at the Church’s West-Central Africa Division in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, Elder Abraham Bakri. With them are other mission workers and Babcock officials.