By Sara WestheadSeventh-day Adventists and the community at large have a new television programme to look forward to each Thursday evening in the form of the broadcast, Issues.The brainchild of Richard Smith, the show airs every Thursday evening at 8pm on ATV, Adventist Television, on CableVision channel 80.“It is strictly for the community,” explained Mr Smith, who also hosts the programme.The show features those leading the way in a variety of areas, including politics, social services and health, allowing viewers to have a better glimpse into how Bermuda is growing.“Whatever they’re doing that’s community focused, that’s what we’re interested in,” Mr. Smith shared.The show began broadcasting last fall after Mr Smith, who several years ago produced the show Dialogue in the World also on ATV, sent an e-mail to Bermuda Seventh-Day Conference president, Dr Jeffrey Brown.“At first, I wanted to look at Adventist issues,” Mr. Smith said, however Dr. Brown suggested that maybe the new show should be more community focused. This was reinforced after Smith had conversations with friend, Ralph Richardson, and Pastor Damon Hendrickson, who serves as the director for the church’s media ministries island-wide.Things moved very quickly and, before they knew it, the team were in the studio filming the very first episode at the end of October 2012.“The show is non-preachy,” described Conference President, Dr Brown. “The host is very much of a listener. The guest is the star of the show.”He also explained that Mr. Smith does an excellent job of handling even the most delicate of subjects.“Richard’s calm and folksy manner makes it [enjoyable.] It’s not like a CNN thing.”Mr. Smith strongly credits his team, Steve Ingham and Barry Richardson, with making the show a success.“They treat guests fabulously. They make guests feel right at home. They are an integral part of the show — they make it [what it is].”Through his experience has the head of the Seventh-day Conference in Bermuda, Dr Brown explained that wherever he went, through meetings with politicians and other religious leaders on the island, the question was continually asked how they could better enrich the community of Bermuda as a whole.“The thing that is often said,” Dr Brown expressed, “can we communicate a positive message? Let’s try to get good stuff out there. We [the Adventist church] have a vehicle that we control through which we convey this to the community.”Previous guests on the show have included Dale Butler, the Center Against Abuse, Bermuda Parent Magazine, Lorraine Rest Home, news broadcaster Brian Darby and orthopaedic surgeon, Dr. Will Peckett.This past Thursday, Thaao Dill shared what is happening at the Bermuda College through his new role as recruiter, while future guests include Philip Butterfield, who will talk about how he has achieved success (March 21), US Consule Adam Vogelzang (March 28), financial planner Mark Ahronson (April 4) and Robin O’Neil, the leader of the local chapter of Compassionate Friends, a support group for parents who have lost a child (April 11).So far, response to the show has been “very positive,” according to Mr Smith, however he is hoping to hear that more non-Adventist members of the community will begin tuning in.Broadcasts can also be seen online at AdventistBermuda.org.