The Seventh Day Adventist Church in Zambia and the media : An evaluation of the use of mass media by the Church

Abstract

This report investigated why and how the Christian Church used mass media for the proclamation of the gospel of Jesus Christ. The report in particular investigated the Seventh Day Adventist Church (being one of the oldest and widely scattered Christian denominations in Zambia) and its communication of gospel via mass media. Research also sought to ascertain the nature of audience reached by the Church through evangelism by way of mass media. Further, investigation sought to ascertain what people thought about the Church's use of mass media. Data for the study was collected in four cities and towns: Lusaka, Kabwe, Ndola and Luanshya. A questionnaire with twenty-seven questions was used for the collection of data. Findings of the study suggested that currently (at the time of this study) the named Church was not communicating well because mass media was not utilised much; and much of the information about the said Church was gotten through local church leadership and very little through mass media. This meant that those who did not go to church might not know about the church well unless the latter (mass media) was utilised fully. - ' On the other hand, it was shown that the programme that the above named Church ran on television every week, the Voice of Prophecy, had attracted a number of people.