Voice of Prophecy
1. Overview
The Voice of Prophecy (VOP) is a major evangelistic ministry/department of the SDA Church focused on:
• Bible teaching
• Media evangelism (especially radio, literature, and online platforms)
• Personal Bible study outreach
In simple terms:
It is the church’s “Bible school + media evangelism arm.”
2. Historical Background
The Voice of Prophecy began as a radio evangelism ministry:
• Founded in 1929 by H. M. S. Richards
• First broadcast aired in Los Angeles, USA
• Became one of the first religious programs to broadcast nationally
Growth and Expansion
• By the 1940s–1960s: broadcast across many stations worldwide
• Expanded into:
o Bible correspondence schools
o Television and digital media
• Today, it operates globally in many languages and countries
It is considered one of the oldest SDA media ministries
3. Mission and Purpose
Core Mission
• To proclaim the everlasting gospel of Jesus Christ
• Lead people to:
o Accept Christ
o Join the church
o Prepare for Christ’s return
Main Purpose
• Teach the Bible clearly and systematically
• Reach non-members (interests)
• Nurture new believers
4. Key Objectives
The VOP Department aims to:
1. Evangelism
o Bring people to Christ through Bible studies
2. Bible Education
o Provide structured Bible lessons
3. Soul Winning
o Convert interests into baptized members
4. Follow-up Ministry
o Nurture and disciple new believers
5. Support Public Evangelism
o Prepare people before crusades
5. Core Functions and Responsibilities
A. Bible Correspondence School
The most important function is the Bible school system:
• Known as Discover Bible School
• Offers:
o Free Bible study guides
o Lessons by mail or online
• Available in many languages worldwide
This is the heart of the VOP ministry
B. Enrollment of Students
The department:
• Identifies interested people (“interests”)
• Enrolls them in Bible study programs
• Assigns instructors or guides
C. Literature Distribution
• Distributes Bible study guides
• Shares evangelistic materials
• Uses tracts, books, and lessons
Helps spread the gospel even without direct preaching
D. Media Evangelism
Traditionally:
• Radio programs
Today:
• TV broadcasts
• Social media
• Online Bible courses
VOP was pioneering in radio evangelism
E. Training Church Members
The department:
• Trains members to:
o Become Bible instructors
o Distribute lessons
o Enroll students
F. Supporting Evangelistic Campaigns
• Works with pastors and evangelists
• Prepares people before crusades
• Provides follow-up after campaigns
G. Interest Coordination
• Works closely with Interest Coordinators
• Tracks people interested in Bible studies
• Ensures follow-up
6. Organizational Structure
At Local Church Level
• VOP Leader/Coordinator
• Assistant Leader
• Bible Instructors
• Enrollment Officers
• Distributors
At Higher Levels
• Conference/Mission VOP Director
• Union and Division leaders
• Global VOP leadership
Ensures a worldwide evangelism system
7. How the Department Operates (Process Flow)
1. Identify interested individuals
2. Enroll them into Bible studies
3. Provide lesson guides
4. Mark and guide their progress
5. Graduate students
6. Invite them to baptism
This process is often called “Bible School Evangelism Cycle”
8. Target Audience
The VOP Department focuses mainly on:
1. Non-members (Primary Target)
• People interested in Bible truth
2. Church Members
• As students and instructors
3. Backsliders
• To reconnect them with faith
9. Tools and Methods Used
Traditional Methods
• Printed Bible lessons
• Postal correspondence
• Radio broadcasts
Modern Methods
• Online Bible courses
• Mobile apps
• Social media evangelism
10. Importance of the Voice of Prophecy Department
1. Major Evangelistic Tool
• One of the most effective soul-winning methods
2. Reaches Remote Areas
• Works even where pastors cannot reach
3. Personal Approach
• One-on-one Bible study system
4. Continuous Evangelism
• Works throughout the year (not only during crusades)
5. Foundation for Church Growth
• Many members join the church through VOP
11. Relationship with Other Departments
The VOP Department works closely with:
• Personal Ministries → outreach and evangelism
• Communication Department → promotion
• Sabbath School → Bible teaching
• Public Evangelism Teams → crusades
12. Key Principles of the VOP Department
• Bible-centered teaching
• Personal evangelism
• Consistency in follow-up
• Accessibility (free lessons)
• Global mission focus
13. Summary
The Voice of Prophecy Department is:
• A global evangelistic ministry
• Focused on Bible study and media outreach
• One of the oldest and most effective SDA evangelism tools
In one sentence:
It is the SDA Church’s structured system for teaching the Bible and winning souls through media and personal study.
• Teach the Bible clearly and systematically
• Reach non-members (interests)
• Nurture new believers
4. Key Objectives
The VOP Department aims to:
1. Evangelism
o Bring people to Christ through Bible studies
2. Bible Education
o Provide structured Bible lessons
3. Soul Winning
o Convert interests into baptized members
4. Follow-up Ministry
o Nurture and disciple new believers
5. Support Public Evangelism
o Prepare people before crusades
5. Core Functions and Responsibilities
A. Bible Correspondence School
The most important function is the Bible school system:
• Known as Discover Bible School
• Offers:
o Free Bible study guides
o Lessons by mail or online
• Available in many languages worldwide
This is the heart of the VOP ministry
B. Enrollment of Students
The department:
• Identifies interested people (“interests”)
• Enrolls them in Bible study programs
• Assigns instructors or guides
C. Literature Distribution
• Distributes Bible study guides
• Shares evangelistic materials
• Uses tracts, books, and lessons
Helps spread the gospel even without direct preaching
D. Media Evangelism
Traditionally:
• Radio programs
Today:
• TV broadcasts
• Social media
• Online Bible courses
VOP was pioneering in radio evangelism
E. Training Church Members
The department:
• Trains members to:
o Become Bible instructors
o Distribute lessons
o Enroll students
F. Supporting Evangelistic Campaigns
• Works with pastors and evangelists
• Prepares people before crusades
• Provides follow-up after campaigns
G. Interest Coordination
• Works closely with Interest Coordinators
• Tracks people interested in Bible studies
• Ensures follow-up
6. Organizational Structure
At Local Church Level
• VOP Leader/Coordinator
• Assistant Leader
• Bible Instructors
• Enrollment Officers
• Distributors
At Higher Levels
• Conference/Mission VOP Director
• Union and Division leaders
• Global VOP leadership
Ensures a worldwide evangelism system
7. How the Department Operates (Process Flow)
1. Identify interested individuals
2. Enroll them into Bible studies
3. Provide lesson guides
4. Mark and guide their progress
5. Graduate students
6. Invite them to baptism
This process is often called “Bible School Evangelism Cycle”
8. Target Audience
The VOP Department focuses mainly on:
1. Non-members (Primary Target)
• People interested in Bible truth
2. Church Members
• As students and instructors
3. Backsliders
• To reconnect them with faith
9. Tools and Methods Used
Traditional Methods
• Printed Bible lessons
• Postal correspondence
• Radio broadcasts
Modern Methods
• Online Bible courses
• Mobile apps
• Social media evangelism
10. Importance of the Voice of Prophecy Department
1. Major Evangelistic Tool
• One of the most effective soul-winning methods
2. Reaches Remote Areas
• Works even where pastors cannot reach
3. Personal Approach
• One-on-one Bible study system
4. Continuous Evangelism
• Works throughout the year (not only during crusades)
5. Foundation for Church Growth
• Many members join the church through VOP
11. Relationship with Other Departments
The VOP Department works closely with:
• Personal Ministries → outreach and evangelism
• Communication Department → promotion
• Sabbath School → Bible teaching
• Public Evangelism Teams → crusades
12. Key Principles of the VOP Department
• Bible-centered teaching
• Personal evangelism
• Consistency in follow-up
• Accessibility (free lessons)
• Global mission focus
13. Summary
The Voice of Prophecy Department is:
• A global evangelistic ministry
• Focused on Bible study and media outreach
• One of the oldest and most effective SDA evangelism tools
In one sentence:
It is the SDA Church’s structured system for teaching the Bible and winning souls through media and personal study.