Three Angels Broadcasting Network

The Three Angels Broadcasting Network (3ABN) is an independent, nonprofit Christian media organization founded on November 15, 1984, by Danny Shelton in West Frankfort, Illinois, with its first broadcast occurring in 1986.^[1] Operating as a 501(c)(3) entity not owned or funded by any denomination, 3ABN specializes in 24-hour television and radio programming that emphasizes Seventh-day Adventist theology, particularly the three angels' messages from Revelation 14:6–12, alongside practical content on health, family, and personal recovery.^[1][2] The network maintains nine television channels and five radio channels broadcast in English, Spanish, Portuguese, Russian, and French, achieving global reach across every inhabited continent via eight satellites, over 110 U.S. affiliates covering approximately 56 million people, hundreds of international stations, cable outlets, and internet streaming.^[1][3] Self-described as the "Mending Broken People Network," 3ABN delivers Bible-based teachings, music, evangelism, and programs addressing everyday challenges like addiction and marital issues, supported by annual revenues exceeding $15 million and an 80% program expense ratio as of 2024.^[1][2] Despite its expansion and focus on spiritual outreach, 3ABN has faced notable controversies, including a prolonged land dispute in the Bahamas involving allegations of fraud and trust mismanagement, as well as historical claims of sexual misconduct against executives and leadership transitions amid personal scandals.^[4][5]

Origins and Founding

Inception in 1984

The Three Angels Broadcasting Network (3ABN) originated on November 15, 1984, when Danny Shelton, a carpenter residing in southern Illinois, experienced a profound spiritual prompting during a sleepless night, leading him to establish a dedicated Christian television outlet.^[1] Alongside his wife, Linda Shelton, he co-founded the network near Thompsonville, Illinois, motivated by a desire to proclaim the undiluted "three angels' messages" of Revelation 14—a core eschatological emphasis within Seventh-day Adventist theology—amid perceived inadequacies in existing denominational media efforts.^[6][7] This initiative reflected a faith-led response to broader spiritual yearnings in Adventist communities for direct, uncompromised biblical exposition over more tempered institutional programming.^[7] Initial operations centered on a small-scale setup emphasizing volunteer contributions and rudimentary equipment, eschewing commercial viability in favor of providential support to reach audiences with transformative content.^[1] The Sheltons envisioned programming rooted in health principles, inspirational music, and Bible study to foster holistic restoration, encapsulated in 3ABN's ethos of "mending broken people" through practical and doctrinal guidance aligned with Adventist teachings on wellness and salvation.^[8] This foundational approach prioritized causal links between scriptural adherence, physical vitality, and spiritual renewal, drawing from empirical observations of media's influence on personal change rather than market-driven formats.^[1] Broadcasting commenced modestly in the local area, laying groundwork for a network sustained by donations and communal involvement rather than advertising revenue.^[9]

Early Operations and Challenges

Following its initial broadcasts in 1986, the Three Angels Broadcasting Network (3ABN) relocated operations to a facility in West Frankfort, Illinois, leveraging donated land in nearby Thompsonville for initial setup. This move supported expansion amid limited resources, with early infrastructure including a $400,000 satellite dish funded through a modest $10,000 down payment from viewer contributions to avoid debt. Operations relied heavily on volunteer efforts and cost-effective production, drawing support from Seventh-day Adventist (SDA) communities for equipment and personnel, as the nonprofit structure prohibited direct denominational funding.^[1][10] Financial challenges persisted through the late 1980s and 1990s, as sustaining 24-hour satellite broadcasting demanded ongoing donations amid fluctuating viewer pledges and no commercial revenue model. Technical hurdles compounded this, including the lack of broadcasting expertise among founders like Danny Shelton, a former carpenter, and infrastructure issues such as securing three-phase power for equipment in rural southern Illinois. These were addressed through providential community interventions, such as discovering an existing power line nearby, and grassroots SDA networks providing in-kind support, enabling persistence without alliances to mainstream media outlets.^[1][10] Incremental progress emerged with 3ABN's first international outreach in 1992, when it taped and broadcast evangelistic meetings led by Pastor John Carter in Nizhny Novgorod, Russia, resulting in over 3,000 baptisms and the acquisition of a 70,000-square-foot facility for local studios and church use. By 1993, Russian-language programming expanded to over 500 cable stations across the former Soviet Union, marking early resilience via low-cost taped content and partnerships with local evangelists rather than expensive live satellite feeds. Survival hinged on prayer-reported miracles, donor faithfulness, and frugal operations, fostering independence from institutional oversight attempts by SDA leaders seeking greater control over content and finances.^[1][11][10]

Expansion and Development

Transition to Satellite Broadcasting in the 2000s

In 2000, Three Angels Broadcasting Network initiated its transition to global satellite broadcasting, launching worldwide coverage for both television and radio on February 28 via four satellites that transmitted programming to every inhabited continent from its Illinois headquarters. This upgrade from prior regional and North American satellite uplinks enabled continuous 24/7 access in remote and international areas, primarily receivable via large C-band dishes initially. The move positioned 3ABN as a dedicated platform for Seventh-day Adventist doctrinal, health, and evangelistic content, countering terrestrial broadcasting limitations. Complementing the television expansion, 3ABN integrated its newly established radio network—launched in 1999—and debuted 3ABN Latino for Spanish-speaking audiences, thereby diversifying formats and languages to enhance penetration in Latin America and beyond. These additions supported initial digital adjuncts like internet streaming, which had begun experimentally in 1998, but satellite formed the core for reliable, unmediated global delivery. The infrastructure relied on donor-funded transponder leases and equipment, reflecting operational scaling amid technological advancements in satellite capacity. The shift yielded documented outreach gains, including viewer testimonies of conversions linked directly to satellite-accessed programming; for example, 3ABN Latino broadcasts prompted immediate baptisms among audiences who contacted local churches post-evangelistic appeals. Subsequent metrics underscored the impact, with affiliated signals reaching over 20 million in the Philippines by 2002 and 250 million potential viewers in India by 2005, correlating with heightened donation inflows that sustained further network maturation.

International and Multilingual Growth

3ABN extended its reach beyond English-language audiences with the launch of the 3ABN Latino Network on August 24, 2003, targeting Spanish- and Portuguese-speaking viewers across Latin America, Europe, and other regions with nearly 700 million potential recipients through dedicated programming in those languages.^[12] Subsequent expansions included the 3ABN Français Network in 2013, which broadcasts translated and original French content 24 hours a day, alongside 3ABN Russia for Russian-language delivery modeled after the parent network but adapted for local cultural contexts.^[13][14] These multilingual channels employ dubbed, subtitled, and newly produced content to address linguistic barriers, facilitating evangelism in non-English markets where direct translation enhances viewer engagement and comprehension. Satellite infrastructure underpins this global dissemination, with 3ABN International airing adjusted schedules for Europe, Africa, Asia, and Oceania via multiple geostationary positions including Optus D3 at 156°E for Australia and JCSAT 4B at 124°E for parts of Asia, complemented by C-band and Ku-band feeds covering inhabited continents.^[1][15] This setup, operational since the 2000s transition, relies on direct-to-home reception rather than extensive ground station partnerships, enabling cost-effective penetration into remote areas and supporting localized adaptations like time-zone-aligned programming to sustain viewer retention and doctrinal outreach.^[16] Recent initiatives underscore adaptive growth, including the 3ABN Australia Summer Camp Meeting held in 2025, which featured sermons, music, and interactive sessions tailored for Australasian audiences to foster community and evangelism.^[17] In July 2025, 3ABN provided live evening coverage of the Seventh-day Adventist General Conference Session in St. Louis, Missouri, streaming sessions worldwide to amplify global unity and message dissemination among diverse linguistic groups.^[18] Such events demonstrate how region-specific content production correlates with increased participation, as localized broadcasts allow for culturally resonant delivery that empirical viewer feedback from network reports links to conversions and study group formations.^[19]

Programming and Operations

Core Content and Format

The Three Angels Broadcasting Network (3ABN) maintains a continuous 24-hour broadcast cycle dedicated to Seventh-day Adventist (SDA)-aligned content, prioritizing Bible studies, health education, inspirational music, and interactive talk programs while eschewing secular entertainment in favor of direct scriptural exposition and application.^[20] This format stems from 3ABN's commitment to the three angels' messages of Revelation 14, which emphasize prophetic warnings, divine judgment, and calls to worship the Creator, interpreted through SDA doctrinal lenses including Sabbath-keeping as a memorial of creation and end-times preparation.^[21] Daily schedules typically intersperse verse-by-verse Bible analyses, such as those in the Sabbath School Panel series, with practical discussions on lifestyle reforms grounded in texts like Exodus 20 and Daniel's prophecies.^[22][23] Core recurring formats include host-moderated talk shows like 3ABN Today, which feature panel discussions on theological topics, personal testimonies, and viewer-submitted questions via live call-ins, fostering immediate audience participation without reliance on high-production elements.^[24] Health seminars, often presented in lecture-style segments, promote SDA principles of holistic wellness—such as vegetarianism, temperance, and exercise—drawn from biblical admonitions in texts like 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 and Leviticus 11, positioning physical stewardship as integral to spiritual readiness for eschatological events.^[1] Music specials consist of a cappella or instrumental hymns and gospel performances, selected to reinforce themes of redemption and divine sovereignty rather than entertainment value.^[23] Programming consistently highlights signature SDA emphases, such as series on apocalyptic prophecies from books like Daniel and Revelation, which outline sequences of historical and future events culminating in Christ's return, and dedicated explorations of the seventh-day Sabbath as a perpetual commandment distinguishing true worship amid predicted deceptions.^[25][26] The host-driven production approach relies on on-site studios with minimal sets, volunteer-led presentations, and real-time interaction tools like phone lines, enabling cost-effective delivery that prioritizes message clarity over visual spectacle.^[24] This structure ensures a unified evangelistic flow, repeating key doctrinal cycles to reinforce viewer comprehension of SDA interpretations without dilution by non-biblical media.^[20]

Specialized Networks and Initiatives

The Three Angels Broadcasting Network maintains specialized audio and video channels to extend its core programming to targeted demographics. 3ABN Radio delivers 24/7 devotionals, sermons, and music rooted in Seventh-day Adventist teachings on biblical prophecy, Sabbath observance, and healthful living.^[27] Complementing this, 3ABN Radio Latino broadcasts similar content in Spanish, reaching Hispanic audiences with adaptations that preserve doctrinal emphasis on end-time events and spiritual recovery while addressing cultural contexts.^[28] The Dare to Dream Network targets urban viewers through lifestyle programming confronting issues like substance abuse, family breakdown, and poverty, integrating SDA principles of holistic health and faith-based transformation without diluting scriptural foundations.^[29] This channel features testimonies of recovery, emphasizing empirical outcomes from lifestyle changes aligned with biblical health directives, such as plant-based diets and temperance.^[29] Outreach initiatives include Child Impact International's sponsorship programs, which have supported thousands of vulnerable children since inception, providing education, anti-trafficking interventions, and evangelism in regions like Haiti and Africa, with sponsors funding holistic development tied to SDA values.^[30][31] In 2024 and 2025, 3ABN expanded digital initiatives with podcasts offering motivational interviews and news, alongside the Bible Q&A series addressing viewer-submitted questions on topics like sin, fasting, and divine justice, ensuring responses adhere strictly to SDA interpretive frameworks for doctrinal consistency across formats.^[32][33] These efforts verify spiritual and health testimonies through participant accounts, prioritizing causal links between adherence to biblical precepts and reported recoveries.^[34]

Leadership and Governance

Founders and Key Executives

The Three Angels Broadcasting Network (3ABN) was founded on November 15, 1984, by Danny Shelton, then a carpenter from southern Illinois, and his wife Linda Shelton, who served as co-founder and vice president. Motivated by a spiritual conviction to establish a global Christian television ministry focused on Seventh-day Adventist teachings, Danny Shelton initiated operations from West Frankfort, Illinois, beginning with modest local broadcasts that expanded into satellite transmission by the late 1980s. Linda Shelton contributed significantly to early programming development and administrative roles, helping to shape the network's health-oriented and evangelistic content until their divorce in 2004, after which she departed the organization; this personal transition did not halt the ministry's momentum, as evidenced by sustained growth in viewership and infrastructure under subsequent leadership.^[1][6] Danny Shelton, who held the presidency for much of 3ABN's history—including a return to the role in 2015—transitioned to founder and corporate consultant in 2019, continuing to advise on strategic vision while the network achieved milestones such as multilingual expansions and increased satellite reach during his tenure. His leadership emphasized practical media outreach, correlating with the network's development from a single UHF station to a multifaceted operation serving multiple continents.^[6][35] Greg Morikone assumed the presidency in September 2019, following his progression from a 1999 college internship to roles in production management and general vice presidency; under his direction, 3ABN has maintained operational stability and program innovation, building on empirical expansions like the addition of specialized networks. Yvonne Lewis-Shelton, Danny Shelton's current wife, serves as co-founder and consultant for the 3ABN Dare to Dream Network, focusing on inspirational content that has supported audience engagement in personal recovery themes.^[36][37][6] Prominent executives include John Lomacang, director of world evangelism since the early 2000s, whose background in Seventh-day Adventist pastorship and media presentation has driven international outreach efforts, including live seminars and program hosting that have facilitated reported conversions and community events. Shelley Quinn, as program development manager, leverages her experience in SDA ministry and broadcasting to curate Bible study series and speaker coordination, contributing to content that aligns with the network's doctrinal emphasis on end-times prophecy and healthful living. These leaders' tenures reflect a continuity of mission-driven media work, with network metrics indicating steady viewership growth amid leadership evolutions.^[38][6][39]

Organizational Structure

Three Angels Broadcasting Network operates as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization under U.S. tax code, with EIN 37-1179056, established to facilitate religious broadcasting without profit motives.^[1] Governance is provided by a Board of Directors responsible for strategic oversight and mission alignment, functioning independently from denominational funding to preserve content autonomy.^[1] This structure emphasizes fiduciary accountability, with the board reviewing operations to ensure adherence to evangelical objectives rooted in Seventh-day Adventist principles. Administrative operations feature a multi-layered hierarchy, including general managers for core functions and specialized department heads overseeing production, engineering, pastoral ministries, and outreach initiatives.^[6] Production teams handle content creation and scheduling, engineering departments manage technical broadcasting infrastructure across satellite, radio, and digital platforms, while outreach coordinates evangelistic programs and affiliate relations. This departmental segmentation enables efficient scaling of 24/7 multilingual programming without reliance on external corporate hierarchies. Funding relies exclusively on viewer donations, eschewing advertising revenue, church subsidies, or subscription fees to avoid external influences on doctrinal messaging.^[40] Financial transparency is maintained through public Form 990 filings and audited statements, though independent evaluators have noted variable disclosure practices.^[41] In 2024, revenues approximated $15.2 million, predominantly from contributions supporting operational costs.^[41] As of 2025, following executive transitions including the April departure of programming figure Ryan Day, leadership under figures like President Greg Morikone has emphasized operational continuity and volunteer integration for cost efficiency.^[42] This approach leverages unpaid contributors in production and outreach, reducing overhead while sustaining global broadcasts amid personnel shifts.^[43]

Impact and Achievements

Evangelistic Outreach and Testimonies

3ABN's evangelistic programming emphasizes biblical literalism, presenting Scripture as a direct guide for personal reform, which viewers attribute to tangible life changes such as addiction recovery and health enhancements. The network's Celebrating Life in Recovery series documents viewer-submitted accounts of overcoming substance abuse, with episodes detailing paths to sobriety through prayer, temperance principles derived from texts like Proverbs 20:1, and community support.^[44][45] For example, participants describe sustained abstinence post-intervention, linking recovery to adherence to scriptural mandates against intoxication, contrasting with secular models reliant on pharmacology alone.^[46] Baptisms and conversions form a core metric of outreach efficacy, with viewer testimonies highlighting direct causation from program exposure. In one documented case from 2025, Alma and Pepe reported that 3ABN broadcasts introduced them to Sabbath observance, culminating in their baptism into the Seventh-day Adventist Church after studying prophetic timelines from Daniel and Revelation.^[47] Similar submissions involve health turnarounds, such as dietary reforms aligned with Leviticus 11 leading to reported improvements in chronic conditions, submitted via 3ABN's platforms as evidence of divine intervention over coincidence.^[48] Internationally, testimonies span regions like Russia, where 3ABN Russia's feeds have reached isolated audiences amid restrictions, fostering conversions amid spiritual hunger; a 2022 report notes thousands crediting the network for providing unfiltered biblical content that prompted lifestyle shifts and church integration.^[49] In Latin America, viewer letters describe analogous transformations, though quantified data remains viewer-driven rather than audited. These align with broader SDA accessions of 1.465 million in 2023, where media like 3ABN correlates with evangelism spikes, privileging self-reported persistence in faith practices as causal indicators over transient emotional responses.^[50] In the 2020s, 3ABN-backed orphan initiatives, such as Saving Orphans through Healthcare & Outreach (SOHO) in Eswatini, integrate evangelism with sponsorship, reporting measurable child outcomes like improved nutrition and school attendance for hundreds of vulnerable youth via holistic, Christ-centered aid.^[51] Child Impact programs further enable sponsorships, with donors citing biblical imperatives from James 1:27 as motivation, yielding sustained family stabilizations documented in follow-up testimonies.^[52] Such efforts underscore programming's role in extending personal testimonies to communal impact, grounded in literal scriptural application.

Global Reach and Community Contributions

3ABN's satellite broadcasting, initiated in 2000, has enabled coverage across multiple continents, providing programming to remote and underserved regions where traditional media infrastructure is limited.^[2] This expansion includes multilingual networks, such as 3ABN Français targeting over 220 million French speakers worldwide, and partnerships like the 2024 agreement with LimeX World TV to distribute content to additional millions.^[21][53] Such efforts have facilitated access to SDA-aligned educational content on health and wellness in areas with high rates of chronic disease, aligning with principles emphasizing plant-based diets and lifestyle medicine.^[54] In disaster relief, 3ABN supports initiatives like the Gideon Rescue Company, which has conducted over 30 operations since its inception, including responses to the 2023 Turkey earthquakes, hurricanes in the U.S., and floods globally, combining physical aid with spiritual outreach.^[55][56] These activities, often in partnership with SDA-affiliated groups, have delivered tangible aid such as medical supplies and recovery support to affected communities, as documented in on-site reports from events like the North Carolina hurricane response in 2024.^[57] While some observers critique such efforts for prioritizing religious messaging alongside aid—potentially limiting broader ecumenical collaboration—the verifiable outcomes include rescued lives and sustained community recovery programs.^[58] Contributions to SDA missions include material support for evangelism, such as the 2024 initiative to ship 20,000 Bibles to Cuba, announced by 3ABN leadership to address scriptural scarcity in restricted-access regions.^[59][60] This builds on broader global mission alignments, including promotion of Adventist Frontier Missions for unreached groups and media amplification of camp meetings.^[61] Educational initiatives, like the Pathway to Health program, offer free clinics and workshops on preventive care, reaching thousands with SDA wellness education on topics from diabetes management to mental health principles derived from biblical and empirical sources.^[62] These programs emphasize measurable health improvements in participant communities, though their insular focus on SDA doctrine may reduce uptake among non-adherents.^[24]

Controversies and Criticisms

Internal Scandals Involving Leadership

In 2004, Danny Shelton, founder and president of 3ABN, divorced his wife Linda Shelton, who had served as the network's vice president, following accusations of her "spiritual adultery" and involvement in an inappropriate relationship with a Norwegian doctor.^[4][63] Danny Shelton publicly claimed Linda had committed adultery, citing counseling sessions and alleged evidence, though Linda denied physical infidelity and described the accusations as unsubstantiated, leading to her dismissal from 3ABN and significant reputational damage.^[64][65] The divorce proceedings and related internal investigations drew scrutiny within Seventh-day Adventist circles, but no criminal charges resulted, and Danny Shelton maintained leadership, emphasizing personal reconciliation efforts and the network's mission over the personal turmoil.^[4] Tommy Shelton, Danny's brother and former 3ABN board chairman and production manager, faced multiple allegations of sexual misconduct spanning decades, including claims from the 1980s when his ordination was suspended by the Church of God (Anderson) over accusations involving minors.^[66] In 2011, Alex Walker filed a civil lawsuit against 3ABN and Tommy Shelton, alleging that Shelton sexually abused him starting at age 11 in the early 1990s at a Virginia church, resuming the abuse in the early 2000s at 3ABN facilities in Illinois after Shelton relocated there.^[67][68] 3ABN denied negligence in handling the claims, asserting Shelton had resigned prior to the lawsuit amid prior allegations and that the network had no knowledge of ongoing risks, while Tommy Shelton rejected the accusations.^[69] No criminal convictions were obtained against Tommy Shelton, and the civil case proceeded without resolution detailed in public records at the time, though 3ABN continued operations under Danny Shelton's direction, prioritizing evangelistic continuity despite the familial and leadership strain.^[70] In April 2025, Ryan Day, a prominent 3ABN speaker and former Amazing Facts evangelist, departed the network, announcing doctrinal disagreements that led him to launch "Re-Think Adventism" and publicly question core Seventh-day Adventist teachings, including investigative judgment and Sabbath observance.^[42][71] Day cited feeling constrained by rigid interpretations during his tenure, prompting his exit without formal charges or ethical breaches alleged by 3ABN, which issued no public rebuttal and maintained focus on its programming.^[72] Reactions within Adventist communities varied, with some viewing the departure as a personal evolution rather than institutional scandal, underscoring 3ABN's resilience as viewership and outreach persisted amid leadership transitions.^[73]

Legal and Financial Disputes

In 2011, David Adderley, a retired U.S. Army colonel residing in Miami, Florida, executed an irrevocable trust agreement transferring approximately 419 acres of oceanfront generational property on Long Island, Bahamas—held by the Adderley family for four generations—to a trust structured to benefit the Three Angels Broadcasting Network (3ABN).^[74] The transaction stemmed from Adderley's intent to donate the land for 3ABN's planned camp meeting facility and missionary outpost, following discussions with network representatives including founder Danny Shelton.^[75] By 2018, Adderley filed a federal lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida (Adderley v. Three Angels Broadcasting Network, Inc., et al., No. 1:18-cv-23362), alleging torts to land, fraud, and undue influence in the acquisition process, claiming he was misled about the trust's implications and pressured amid health issues including vision impairment.^[76] The suit sought to void the transfer, but in a 2020 settlement, Adderley recanted his fraud allegations, affirmed the donation's voluntariness, and 3ABN gained full possession without admitting liability.^[77] The dispute reignited in 2023 when Adderley family members, asserting hereditary rights under Bahamian law, challenged the title in the Supreme Court of The Bahamas, alleging deception and lack of family consent, with the property valued potentially at $30 million.^[78] 3ABN responded by filing a petition under the Quieting Titles Act of 1959 to affirm ownership, prompting a 30-day notice period for claimants; the case, involving claims of fraud and undue influence against 3ABN representatives, proceeded to trial but was delayed to 2025.^[79][75] 3ABN has maintained that thorough due diligence was conducted, including verification of Adderley's sole ownership via title searches and legal counsel, and that the settlement resolved prior claims, countering portrayals of impropriety as unsubstantiated.^[77] Independent audits and financial disclosures filed with the IRS, as reviewed by Charity Navigator (rating 3/4 stars for accountability), indicate 3ABN's donor funds are managed with standard nonprofit transparency, including audited statements showing no misappropriation tied to the property.^[80][41] Separate legal actions have involved negligence claims against 3ABN in connection with abuse allegations. In 2011, a federal lawsuit (Walker v. Three Angels Broadcasting Network, Inc., No. 12-cv-114) in the Southern District of Illinois accused the network of negligent supervision and retention regarding employee Tommy Shelton, alleging failures to prevent abuse occurring partly on 3ABN premises during the early 2000s; the suit was dismissed on grounds that the acts fell outside employment scope, with no admission of fault by 3ABN.^[81][68] Similar negligence suits tied to leadership conduct have historically resolved via settlements or dismissals without liability findings, preserving 3ABN's operational continuity amid claims of inadequate oversight.^[76] No court has invalidated 3ABN's core financial practices, which emphasize donor stewardship through public Form 990 filings and independent reviews.^[82]

Public Reception and Doctrinal Critiques

The Three Angels Broadcasting Network (3ABN) has received praise from conservative Christian audiences, particularly within Seventh-day Adventist (SDA) communities, for its emphasis on Bible prophecy, end-times preparation, and health-oriented programming rooted in SDA principles such as Sabbath observance and plant-based diets. Supporters highlight its role in disseminating what they view as uncompromised scriptural teachings, including warnings against moral decay, which resonate with viewers seeking alternatives to mainstream media. This reception is reflected in 3ABN's YouTube channel metrics, with over 430,000 subscribers and more than 83 million video views as of recent data, alongside satellite broadcasts reaching an estimated 572 million Spanish speakers via 3ABN Latino and global expansion adding over two million potential viewers through new partnerships.^[83][84][85] Doctrinal critiques have emanated primarily from evangelical Christians outside the SDA tradition and from former SDAs, who argue that 3ABN perpetuates teachings diverging from core Protestant orthodoxy, such as the prophetic authority of Ellen G. White and the investigative judgment doctrine, which posits a pre-Advent scrutiny of believers' records in heaven since 1844. Evangelicals often classify these elements as cult-like additions to sola scriptura, emphasizing White's writings as inspired alongside the Bible, which critics contend elevates her to near-infallible status and fosters legalistic salvation views despite SDA affirmations of grace. Ex-SDA commentators, drawing from personal disillusionment, decry 3ABN's promotion of "last generation theology"—the idea that a sinless final generation will vindicate God before Christ's return—as unbiblical perfectionism that burdens believers with unattainable standards.^[86][42] In recent years, particularly following evangelist Ryan Day's departure from 3ABN in April 2025, online debates have intensified, with Day publicly rejecting White's writings, sanctuary doctrine, and remnant church exclusivity, framing them as incompatible with New Testament grace. These critiques, amplified on platforms like YouTube and Reddit, portray 3ABN as emblematic of conservative SDA rigidity, yet empirical indicators of audience retention—such as ongoing high-engagement programs on prophecy and health—suggest doctrinal loyalty persists among core viewers, countering narratives of widespread alienation. While ex-SDA sources often exhibit bias from personal exits, 3ABN's health initiatives, including practical wellness advice accessible to non-SDAs, demonstrate broader appeal beyond doctrinal confines, underscoring voluntary engagement over coercive elements alleged by detractors.^[42][87][88]