Adventist communicators, media leaders, content creators, and technology professionals from around the world gathered at the Grand Millennium Auckland from July 2 to 13, 2026, for the Digital Strategy for Mission Convention—a 12-day gathering focused on strengthening the Church’s mission in a rapidly changing digital world.

The convention brought three global events together in one integrated experience: the Hope Channel Network Leadership Conference, held July 2–7; the Global Adventist Innovation Network, or GAiN, held July 8–11; and the Adventist Technology Summit, held July 12–13. Each gathering addressed a distinct area of ministry while emphasizing the need for communication, media, and technology to work together in advancing the gospel.

Organizers described the convention as an opportunity to strengthen collaboration, encourage innovation, and equip the Church to connect with people through the platforms they use every day. It was also the first General Conference-led event of its scale held in the South Pacific Division in more than 30 years.

Hope Channel Leaders Strengthen a Global Media Network

The convention began with the Hope Channel Network Leadership Conference, which gathered approximately 250 media leaders, representing nearly 90 Hope Channel stations and studios worldwide.

The conference focused on leadership, collaboration, audience engagement, content development, and the changing media environment. Presentations and discussions challenged network leaders to look beyond broadcasting alone and consider how television, streaming, social media, mobile platforms, and local relationships can work together to reach people with messages of hope.

The gathering also provided space for Hope Channel leaders to share experiences, identify common needs, and explore opportunities to produce and distribute content across cultures and territories.

A central message throughout the conference was that resources are not limited to equipment or funding. Effective media ministry also depends on people who are available, churches willing to participate, partnerships built inside and outside the organization, Spirit-filled leadership, and reliance on the Holy Spirit as the source of every resource.

Like the empty jars in 2 Kings 4, participants were reminded that God can multiply what is made available to Him. The question for media leaders was not simply whether more resources were needed, but whether they were ready for what they were asking God to provide.

GAiN Calls Communicators to Build Bridges

Nearly 600 delegates participated in GAiN under the theme “Building Bridges.” The four-day conference brought together communication directors, journalists, designers, filmmakers, social media managers, digital missionaries, administrators, and ministry leaders.

The gathering opened with a traditional Māori pōwhiri and haka, welcoming delegates to New Zealand and reflecting the culture and hospitality of the host country.

During the conference, organizers announced that GAiN would now be known as the Global Adventist Innovation Network, reflecting its expanded focus beyond the internet. While technology and communication tools continue to change, leaders emphasized that the network’s mission remains the same: finding relevant and responsible ways to share the gospel.

“Communication in the Adventist Church exists for mission,” General Conference President Erton Köhler told participants. He emphasized that communication should do more than distribute information; it should strengthen the mission God has entrusted to the Church.

General Conference Treasurer Paul H. Douglas expanded on the “Building Bridges” theme, explaining that bridges connect people and allow them to reach places they could not reach alone. He challenged communicators and ministries to move beyond working in isolation and build stronger connections across departments, institutions, regions, and professional disciplines.

General Conference Communication Director Alyssa Truman also highlighted the importance of recognizing innovation taking place across the worldwide Church. She described communicators as part of a global community called to learn from one another and develop new approaches to mission.

Sessions addressed leadership, organizational identity, branding, news and storytelling, artificial intelligence, video production, social media engagement, editorial excellence, digital evangelism, and the relationship between Church administrators and communicators.

The conference also highlighted OneVoice27, an initiative calling the worldwide Adventist Church to unite in sharing Jesus through coordinated evangelistic, communication, and digital efforts in 2027. Rather than requiring every ministry to use the same words or methods, OneVoice27 encourages the Church to carry the same message of hope while communicating within different cultures and contexts.

Technology Positioned as a Mission Platform

The Adventist Technology Summit completed the convention by bringing together information technology leaders, developers, digital strategists, communicators, and ministry practitioners.

While Hope Channel focused on media ministry and GAiN emphasized communication, innovation, and collaboration, the technology summit addressed the systems and infrastructure that support the Church’s work.

Presentations and practitioner-led conversations examined digital platforms, data, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, software development, system integration, accessibility, and the need for technology teams to understand the Church’s mission—not merely its technical requirements.

The summit emphasized that technology should not become an end in itself. Its purpose is to remove barriers, connect people, support ministries, protect information, and create pathways through which individuals can encounter the gospel.

The gathering demonstrated that communication strategy cannot succeed without dependable technology, while technology becomes more meaningful when it serves a clearly defined mission.

For the Adventist Church in the Southeastern Philippines, the convention provided timely direction as it prepares for Discover Your Way with God (Season 2) and the launch of OneVoice27.

“The convention reminded us that we cannot continue building communication, media, and technology ministries separately,” said Rhoen Shane Catolico, Communication and Media director of the Adventist Church in the Southeastern Philippines. “If mission is for all, then our message must become AVID—Audible, Visible, Intentional, and Digital. This requires our communicators, media teams, technology workers, administrators, pastors, and members to move together with one purpose.”

Catolico added that the lessons and resources from Auckland will be shared through the ongoing Digital Strategy for Mission advisories and cluster-based training meetings across the Southeastern Philippine Union Mission.

“Our challenge now is to bring what we learned closer to our missions, districts, local churches, and members,” he said. “Digital mission does not begin with having the latest equipment. It begins when people make themselves available and use whatever God has placed in their hands to share Jesus.”

The convention concluded with a renewed call for integration. Communication gives the mission a clear and trusted voice. Media turns that message into content people can see, hear, and share. Technology provides the systems that enable the message to travel farther and connect with people more effectively.

Across all three gatherings, one conviction remained clear: tools will continue to change, but the mission will not. The Church is called to use every responsible platform, strengthen collaboration, and build bridges that lead people to Jesus.