The placing of the foundation stone in a March 22 ceremony at Alsbach-Sandwiese, next to the city of Darmstadt (Germany), marked the formal start of construction of a new media center in Europe. Dedicated to producing and distributing messages of hope, the new facility will house the "Stimme der Hoffnung,"("Voice of Hope,") ministry operated by the Seventh-day Adventist Church's Euro-Africa region.

The new Media Center is not only "the [realization] of a vision," but also a "necessity which is long overdue," said Pastor Ulrich Frikart, regional president of the Adventist Church. "The Voice of Hope has done exemplary mission work in the past and it is good that in this new building, appropriate facilities will enable the staff to continue their mission work in the future."

Addressing the gathering of 120 people, he added, "we do not build for eternity, but the effects and results of the work which will be done in this new media center are for eternity, since it is a work that will reach people's hearts."

The media ministry has brought the Adventist Church's message of hope to the people of Germany since 1948. It started with radio broadcasting and expanded to include television programs, a Bible correspondence course, and audio programs for the blind.

Media center officials say their current buildings are now so small that they hinder the staff from doing their work. For example the television department has no production studio because the owners have asked them to vacate their building. The new, more spacious Media Center will have television and audio studios, a center for events, storage room for technical material and scenery, a shop, and offices.

Voice of Hope director Pastor Matthias Müller installed the Foundation Stone -- a small round container made out of metal also known as a "time capsule" -- into the foundation of the building. He filled the container with numerous items, explaining the symbolic meaning attached to them. First, a Bible, since the Word of God is regarded to be the real foundation of the new Media Center and as the building shall be erected for the sake of spreading God's Word. Second, a letter explaining the purpose of the building was placed in the container. The letter is addressed to those who might discover the Foundation Stone in the future. Next, followed several items representing a small overview of the work done at the Voice of Hope, namely a videotape, a flyer and several current program magazines. Further, the newspaper of the day was laid in, as a witness for the news, issues and concerns discussed in society on that day. A few coins, were put inside to symbolize the importance of finances to the realization of the building.

The media center also produces programs for radio broadcast and since 1971 has been producing tapes covering religious themes and evangelistic programs as well as Christian music.

Evangelistic campaigns and various church events have been covered by Voice of Hope satellite television since 1996; two years earlier, satellite broadcasting of weekly television programs had been launched. The ministry also offers technical support for Adventist broadcasters throughout Europe, including the Trans-European and Euro-African church regions.

By 2005, the ministry's first Adventist photo database was established (www.churchphoto.de). In 2006, a 24-hour radio broadcasting system was launched and just a few weeks ago, a project for Internet evangelism has been initiated. [Editor: Klaus Popa for Stimme der Hoffnung/APD]