As the Adventist Technology Summit and Global Adventist Internet Network Congress concluded in Chiang Mai, Thailand, Adventist World Radio (AWR), responded quickly by initiating their first 100-language station training in Bangkok. On July 16, 2024, more than 100 station managers, communications leaders, and content developers gathered at the Hilton Hotel Sukhumvit in the business capital of Thailand, the largest predominantly Buddhist country in Southeast Asia.
This inaugural training for 100 languages responds to the call to share the gospel in various languages worldwide, particularly within the 10/40 window. Recent studies reveal that there are more than 7,100 languages and dialects globally. The Adventist Church currently reaches out through over 270 publications, more than 280 broadcast mediums, and verbally communicates in 443 languages. These figures highlight a significant challenge for the church, emphasizing the need for clear discernment and a sense of urgency in advancing church work in this region.
Robert Dulay, director of Adventist World Radio Asia-Pacific, opened the training by emphasizing the vital role every church member plays in proclaiming the message of hope to this generation. “There is still much to be done, and each of us here must participate in the capacity that God has entrusted to us to share His message with every tribe, kindred, tongue, and people,” Dulay said.
“Making God’s word available in thousands of languages worldwide is a significant challenge, but through collaboration, reliance on God’s guidance, and commitment to His mission, our efforts will yield results,” he added.
During the two-day training, participants received a refresher on radio program development and a technical walkthrough. Several experts in the field provided valuable knowledge about the latest applications and tools for collaboration and radio content development.
Neville Neveling, assistant to the president of AWR, along with his team of technicians and content creators, attended the meeting to empower Adventist content creators to produce content in specific languages, targeting specific audiences.
The training concluded with a renewed commitment from all attendees to advance the mission of Adventist World Radio. Equipped with new skills and a shared vision, the participants are now prepared to create impactful content that will resonate with diverse audiences around the world.
Edward Rodriguez, SSD Communication Deprtment