GAiN Convention Concludes with Inspiring Vision for An Augmented Digital Mission of the Church
Chiang Mai recently hosted the Global Adventist Internet Network (GAiN) Convention, which made a lasting impression on attendees worldwide. Over 500 communication professionals, church leaders, and media enthusiasts gathered to share innovative ideas, spiritual inspiration, and forward-thinking strategies for advancing the Adventist Church’s digital mission.
The GAiN Convention buzzed with activity, featuring engaging keynote speeches, hands-on workshops, and lively panel discussions. The theme, “Digital Strategy for Mission,” deeply resonated with everyone present. Standout speakers included Paul Douglas, Treasurer of the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, and Erton Köhler, Executive Secretary of the General Conference. Their words stirred the hearts and minds of the attendees, encouraging them to use technology for evangelism.
The GAiN event unveils exciting new digital tools and platforms, sparking enthusiasm with their potential to enhance the church’s online presence and outreach efforts. Advanced social media management tools, a comprehensive digital resource library for content creators, and an upgraded Hope Channel app with improved streaming capabilities were among the highlights, giving everyone much to look forward to.
Delegates from SePUM found the convention particularly impressive and impactful. With its growing digital audience and unique evangelistic challenges, the newly created church region stood to gain significantly from the insights and tools shared at the convention. The church in the SePUM will develop workshops and training on digital media strategies and content creation to provide practical skills that apply directly to their local context.
Elder Erton Köhler, the Executive Secretary of the Adventist Church, delivered the Sabbath message clearly and urgently: “We must pay attention to the urgency of our mission. Every communicator has a role to play in spreading the Gospel using the tools at our disposal and using every opportunity to reach out and touch lives.”
Paul Douglas, the treasurer of the Seventh-day Adventist Church headquarters in Maryland, USA, has challenged everyone to think beyond the conventional: “Stop doing what is normal! Start doing what is necessary! In this digital age, we have unprecedented opportunities to spread the message of hope and salvation. By leveraging technology effectively, we can connect with people in ways we never could before. Our mission is to ensure that every individual, no matter where they are, can access the Gospel’s transformative power.”
The GAiN Convention emphasized the vital role of digital platforms in the church’s mission, especially in the newly established Southeastern Philippine Union Mission (SePUM). With increasing internet access and mobile phone usage in the region, there are opportunities for innovative digital evangelism strategies. The knowledge and tools acquired from the convention will significantly improve the church’s digital strategy for its mission.
Meanwhile, the convention also introduces digital platforms offered to the Church: Adventist.Cloud offers identity, brand, and portal for World Church Platforms. The South Pacific Division contributed to this platform; the South America Division (SAD) contributed the ACMS and 7Me, which are now used for the Church Management System, Online Giving, Member Engagement, and Hope.Cloud is a platform for Video Streaming and Digital Asset Manager that Hope Channel International contributes. This work is still in progress, but access is limited to media outlets. 7Vote by the SAD is used for Online Voting and Ecclesiastical Election Software. They also contributed to the platform for the Secretariat Management System called ASAS. Another contribution from SAD is the Identity and Authentication Management System called, 7Pass; SunPlus, the Denominational Accounting System developed by the Genera Conference; APS.Net for Personnel and Payroll Management System was contributed by the North America Division; and WEB, the Website Hosting and Content Management System developed by the Inter-European Division.
A number of Artificial Intelligence (AI) apps have been greatly recognized and presented during the convention to the augment the digital mission of the church. One can only think that “it is a wonderful tool, not a threat!”
The GAiN Convention in Chiang Mai has inspired and empowered Adventist communicators to embrace the digital age with confidence and creativity. As these delegates return to their home regions, they carry a renewed commitment to digital discipleship and a robust toolkit for advancing the church’s mission in the digital realm.
The convention signifies the start of an augmented era in the church’s digital mission. By utilizing technology and the internet, the Adventist Church is ready to connect with an unprecedented number of people and spread the message of hope, love, and salvation.
The Digital Strategy for Mission is an initiative creating a framework for leveraging existing and emerging tools and technologies to expand missionary reach and enhance operational excellence. The scope of this strategy centers on how digital assets can support the Church’s strategic Plan with a roadmap for leveraging digital opportunities to connect and engage the world for the soon coming of Jesus.