With the intense desire to effectively translate into a cohesive experience for everybody the theme: “Sharing Faith in the Digital World,” Southern Mindanao Mission (SMM) launched the Adventist Communication Training 2025 (ACT) on July 4–5 at Wong’s Hall, SMM Headquarters, General Santos City, with the full support of the media team of Southeastern Philippines Union Mission (SePUM) in Davao City.
With more or less 80 registered participants from various churches all over Sarangani and South Cotabato provinces, and with the presence of more than 200 people on the Sabbath, speakers tackled important topics that will be helpful for the throng of communicators using online platforms in sharing the message of salvation.
Ma’am Ivan Flores, SePUM Head of Media Production, shared many insights about hosting, scriptwriting, storytelling, writing ideas on voice-over, church video reports, documentaries, storytelling techniques, tips for Christian hosting, and conducting interviews. The highlight of her presence was the Hour of Worship message centered on the theme, putting extra emphasis on important characteristics of Adventist journalism—Christ-centered, truthful and transparent, hope-filled messaging, collaborative, culture-sensitive, and mission-driven, to name a few.
Mr. Florante Callo, media staff and writer of the same agency, lectured on newswriting, feature writing, and devotional story writing. Giving tips about talk show production and creating reels was Miss Donnabel Espinosa, a volunteer from South Philippine Adventist College who became the anchor of Adventist News Network–Southeastern Philippines, a news program launched during the night she delivered her lecture.
Bro. Jeric Ribao of Bulaong Adventist Church, who manages their church-based social media page, commented: “I feel truly blessed that my church officers entrusted me with the opportunity to be part of this training. Gaining beautiful insights into the ministry has deepened my appreciation for our calling. Seeing the cameras, audio and editing equipment, and the studio facilities filled me with pride as an Adventist. It reminded me that we are not only capable—but called—to share our faith with the world. Through media, we can help hasten the return of Jesus."
The technical aspects of media production had the expertise of Sir Joe Carlo Lagra, Assistant Manager of Hope Channel Southern Mindanao, while Sir Sem Catayoc, Senior Technical Director for Audio & Sound of the same station, dealt with “Audio Techniques for Church Services, Recording, and Performances.”
Giving importance to legalities, Atty. Chymn Catayoc and Atty. Fritz Tagaloguin shared their knowledge about “Upholding Ethics and Copyright on Social Platforms” and “Understanding Cyberlaw and Defamation in Digital Evangelism.”
Ma’am Florgellette Garcia, as President of the Adventist Digital Missionary Volunteers (DMV) at SMM, gathered all the media missionaries and inculcated that “prayer is the unseen force that gives media its true power—opening hearts, guiding messages, and turning content into a catalyst for conversion." At sundown, Pr. Elmer Romano, Communication/PARL Director, led the Commitment Service, providing more fire for the attendees.
The most exciting part of the training happened inside the studio when every delegate had the chance to operate the camera, teleprompter, or computers, while the talkers stood as hosts or news anchors using the scripts someone wrote during the day.
Because “Let every worker in the Master’s vineyard study, plan, devise methods to reach the people where they are. We must do something out of the common course of things. We must arrest the attention. We must be deadly in earnest.” —Letter 20, 1893; Evangelism, p. 122.4. Mrs. Ellen White wrote this to reflect her deep conviction that creativity, strategy, and prayerful planning are not optional—they are essential in the urgency of the end-time work. It is because Matthew 24:14 requires: “And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.” Start sharing faith in the digital world now!
