I have spent the past several days at the General Conference.
Today I dropped in on HOPE TV. I visited their studios, and asked questions in regard to their future. I was told that a new multi-story addition to the GC building had been approved a few days ago with a projected completation date of 2009. I was told that in that new building, HOPE TV would have a massive expansion (compared to there present minimal space) of space. I welcome this.

What does that mean? Has an architect been selected, plans been finalized and they just decided to solicit bids? Or have they already received bids and decided to award a contract?



Construction shouldn't take more than one year so I am guessing that plans have not been finalized. That would mean there are a lot of hoops to jump through yet. They may just be looking at preliminary plans. If that is the case 2009 may be a pretty optimistic unless it is just a small addition. I am adding a multi-story addition on to my house but it is only 1,000 sf.

I am glad to see Hope Channel go in this direction. We need to expand our work in Mexico, Central America and Africa by equipping our churches there with dishes and televisions. We need to get on cable and commercial satellite carriers in Europe and develop programming for the secular minded.

Yes, Shane, this is just the first step in the process. You are correct.

This is the General Conference in Maryland? All the donations I send to them go to Thousand Oaks, California. Are they planning to move?

Shane:

Who knows what they are planning to do. I do not.

In any case, they do have studios at the General Conference Hq. in MD. I visited there. They are, as I stated, planning to expand.

As to your 1,000 Oaks, that is one of the SDA Media Centers. So, yes, you can send your contributions to Hope to 1,000 Oaks.

I am kind of hoping to vacation to California in a few years and I was hoping to tour their facilities. The pre-addressed envelopes come with the Thousand Oaks address on them. I knew the Media Center was out there so I thought it was just natural to base Hope Channel there too.

I do not challenge your statement as to your pre-addressed envelopes.

I got on a few days ago. It was pre-addressed to the GC Hq in Silver Spring.

So maybe I should change my vacation plans toward DC?