20 April 2009

Studio opening highlights IIW weekend

Windsor, New South Wales
David Gibbons

More than 200 people from Australia and New Zealand travelled to Windsor on the weekend of March 27 to 29 for the first official gathering of It Is Written (IIW) partners in the South Pacific. Many came to meet IIW's international TV presenter, Pastor Shawn Boonstra. Others came to hear stories of mission and to learn how the gospel is progressing to reach all people in every country.

Pastors Shawn Boonstra (left) and Gary Kent on the set of the new It Is Written studio in Richmond, NSW.

But the opening and commissioning of a new TV studio in Richmond, NSW, caught the most attention. A Sabbath afternoon excursion took the 200 partners to the newest IIW production facility.

The studio was built on land donated by Adventist church members, with labour, materials and equipment donated by other supporters, or partners of the TV ministry.

Because IIW Oceania is an official ministry within the Adventist Media Network, the new Richmond studios become the third affiliate studio in the South Pacific, joining those in Western Australia and Papua New Guinea.

Pastor Boonstra, who is based in the United States, opened the new studio, together with Pastor Gary Kent, presenter for IIW Oceania.

IIW is the only religious program on Australia's Channel 7, and is the most-viewed weekly religious program on Australian TV, according to the recent industry surveys. Viewers also watch IIW on Foxtel in Australia and TV2 in New Zealand, as well as Hope Channel.

Since the TV ministry began in 1956, there have only been three presenters, all loved and respected by their audiences. George Vandeman was on air for 35 years. He was followed by Mark Finley, who anchored the show between 1991 and 2004. Pastor Boonstra, who became a Seventh-day Adventist Christian only 16 years ago, has been the current presenter for five years.

While the TV ministry, which has won some 2 million converts to Jesus worldwide, is a recognised ministry of the Adventist Church, it relies on donor support.

More about IIW's ministry:

  • IIW can currently be seen in 140 countries in 11 different languages.
  • IIW Oceania's host, Pastor Gary Kent, has worked with disadvantaged people groups, providing water and "Godpods" in the Kalahari, health and education to the Pygmies of Congo, and Bibles in Antarctica.
  • Solar-powered "Godpods" contain a full audio Bible, Steps to Christ, children's stories and Bible studies in the local language of the people. Plans are underway to make Pidgin "Godpods" available to the 50 per cent of Papua New Guineans who are illiterate.
  • IIW Oceania is working with eight full-time Bible workers in Australia. More than 13 other young people are completing a certificate course at the IIW School of Evangelism at Lane Cove, NSW.

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