The Northern Asia-Pacific Division (NSD) opened the first-ever GAIN (Global Adventist Internet Network) Asia Conference at the NSD Leadership Training Center on Jeju Island, South Korea, from September 13 to September 17, 2023. This key event intends to explore the connection between communication and technology in achieving the Adventist Church's mission.
GAIN Asia Conference 2023 brings together digital technology leaders and professionals to stimulate collaborative efforts in merging content and technology to share the gospel message across varied platforms. With over 300 delegates from the Northern Asia-Pacific Division, Southern Asia-Pacific Division, Southern Asia Division, Hope Channel, Adventist World Radio, and other key players in attendance, this conference is set to redefine the role of technology in ministry.
The General Conference Communication Team, led by Pastor Williams Costa, is committed to promoting ministry via faith and digital technology. Pastor Costa underlined the significance of collaboration in his inaugural address. He underscored that while content and technology have been instrumental in reaching wider audiences, the spotlight should always remain on Jesus.
"We're not here to applaud content or technology. We're here to show how to use technology to share Jesus," Pastor Costa stated. "Content always goes hand in hand with technology. The separation of technology and content is dead. But the connection between technology and content produces life, blessings, and innovation," he added.
One of the ground-breaking concepts offered by Pastor Costa is the use of AI tools to create content that can smoothly translate video and audio materials into other languages while retaining the spirit and character of the original form. This idea has the potential to break down language barriers and spread the gospel to a global audience.
The GAIN Asia Conference is a venue for revealing new developments and highlighting accomplishments in communication technology. It seeks to inspire and motivate ministries and individuals to adapt and improve their workflows in response to the changing landscape of digital ministry.
GAIN was created in 2004 with the primary goal of developing a global network of Adventist communicators, technologists, and media professionals. GAIN aims to use communication, technology, media, and the internet to help the Adventist Church fulfill its mission of communicating the everlasting gospel with individuals from "every nation, tribe, tongue, and people."
After 16 years of having annual GAIN Conferences in various locations throughout the world, the General Conference decided to organize continental gatherings in 2022. This year, GAIN events were held across the globe, with NSD sponsoring the Asian leg of this global program.
Pastor Costa stated his delight at being in Asia, a continent dominated by non-Christian countries with a population of more than 4 billion people. This regional focus emphasizes the importance and relevance of the communication department's efforts to communicate the gospel through various media channels, particularly within the difficult 10/40 window.
As the GAIN Asia Conference takes place on Jeju Island, it ushers in a new chapter in the synergy of faith and technology, with the message of hope and salvation serving as a beacon guiding the way forward.
For more information about the GAIN Asia Conference 2023, please visit this link.
Edward Rodriguez, Southern Asia-Pacific Division