The Global Adventist Internet Network (GAiN), a vibrant community of Adventist communicators, creatives, and content creators, is celebrating a significant milestone—20 years of pioneering digital missions. Over the past two decades, GAiN has profoundly transformed the Adventist media landscape worldwide, marking a substantial leap forward in utilizing digital initiatives to advance the Lord’s work in the digital realm.
The General Conference (GC) of the Seventh-Day Adventist Church's Communication Department is the creator of GAiN. In 2004, GAiN held its inaugural convention at the General Conference headquarters in Silver Spring, Maryland, USA, setting the stage for two decades of innovation and outreach.
What began as a small community of communication leaders has now evolved into a dynamic network of mission-driven digital natives, dedicated to finding innovative ways to spread the gospel in a fast-paced, ever-changing world.
In its 20th year, GAiN chose to commemorate this significant milestone in the culturally rich city of Chiang Mai, Thailand. Over 500 delegates representing 17 Adventist World Church regional headquarters convened to synergize and explore new avenues for collaboration, aiming to further the gospel through digital technology.
Williams Costa Jr., Communication director at the GC, inaugurated the meeting, extending a warm welcome to representatives from numerous nations. He reminisced about GAiN's modest beginnings and highlighted its remarkable growth and evolution over the years into a global platform promoting collaboration and innovation in communication.
GAiN Over the Years
The Global Internet Evangelism Network (GiEN), initially conceived in 2004, held its first meeting in Silver Spring, Maryland.
After a successful inauguration, the GC's Communication Department recognized the positive response from the field and considered expanding its reach. They decided to hold annual meetings in various parts of the world to convene, innovate, and develop strategies to advance the gospel mission on digital platforms.
GiEN organized its annual meetings in Asia, Europe, South America, and other regions, aiming to view technology through the lens of different cultural and contextual missional initiatives.
In 2012, GiEN transitioned to its new name, the Global Adventist Internet Network (GAiN). This rebranding promotes a sense of unity among Adventist communicators worldwide. Since then, GAiN has continued to inspire and empower Adventist digital natives globally.
Reflecting the Mission in the Digital Space
Audrey Andersson, vice president of the Adventist World Church, emphasizes the importance of character for communicators working in social media, utilizing media tools, and developing software to enhance workflow in technology.
Reflecting on the life of Jesus, who demonstrated unconditional love and mercy to all, Andersson asserts that the content produced online or through any media should embody Christ's loving character, promoting deeper relationships with Him.
Film Ministry as a New Medium for Evangelism
A new film featuring the story of Adventist pioneers recently premiered in theaters across the United States. "Hopeful" chronicles the origins of the Seventh-day Adventist Church through the lives of William Miller and John Levin Andrews.
Kyle Portbury, the director of "Hopeful," led an interactive discussion on cinema evangelism and how this medium enhances the viewer's experience by immersing them in Adventist history and its enduring resilience. Portbury highlighted that in a society increasingly competing for attention and seeking to avoid distractions, films serve as an effective tool to engage viewers in a dedicated and focused manner.
Developments in News Gathering and Distribution
In partnership with the GC, the Software Development Department of Hope Media Europe developed a Content Management System for various Adventist Church online ministries. This system aims to provide a network platform for Adventist organizations and institutions.
The Adventist Web Engine is designed to empower digital media ministries and local churches worldwide. This platform offers user-friendly online products to enhance church ministries. Its modules simplify website creation, providing design flexibility, content presets, multisite and multilingual support, automated site generation, and template use. These features offer Adventist ministries convenient customization, and efficiency to develop their regional online presence.
Festival of Adventist Films
Adventist churches worldwide are investing in film production to help individuals connect with Jesus on a more personal and experiential level through storytelling. Media centers have created short films, documentaries, and series that highlight motivational and life-changing true stories of God's work in people's lives, with Hope Channel, Adventist World Radio (AWR), and various division media centers serving as leaders.
During the GAiN evening sessions, organizers showcased ongoing film projects to inspire, encourage, and introduce new mediums for evangelism through Adventist films.
Hope Media Europe's Network Project has developed a series of inspiring stories about real people who overcame life challenges with God's guidance. The Network Project leverages the skills and commitment of authors, filmmakers, and creative artists across Europe and the world to produce documentary films, magabooks (magazine books), videos, and podcasts. These tools aim to encourage families and share faith values in a natural and informative manner.
One notable Adventist film is "Return to Palau," which tells the story of a young family who moved to the idyllic island nation of Palau and faced unspeakable tragedy. Using recently uncovered archival footage and first-person accounts, "Return to Palau" presents an incredible true story of survival, faith, and forgiveness.
GAiN delegates eagerly anticipate the screening of "Hopeful," a film that tells the story of Adventist pioneers and the origins of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. Released in April 2024, "Hopeful" offers a new perspective on the Adventist church's 160-year mission.
Adventist World Radio (AWR) features a documentary film about Gideon Ministry volunteers, Frontlines of Hope, who bravely entered war-stricken areas of Ukraine to share hope through AWR Godpods. These Godpods contain scripture messages about hope in times of crisis. The documentary highlights the dedication of volunteers who risked their lives to bring true freedom and peace to many remote areas, including locations that airwaves and missionaries may not typically reach, especially in challenging regions like Ukraine.
Henry Stober, a Seventh-day Adventist filmmaker, collaborated with the Communication Department under the direction of Costa, to produce "Creation Movie: The Earth is a Witness." This film offers a day-by-day account of the biblical creation week, starting with the darkness before God created light and culminating with Moses, the author of the Genesis account of creation, and his son worshipping God on the seventh-day Sabbath. Costa produced the music, and Stober spent four years filming all over the world to capture God's creation through his camera lens.
Delegates see these films as powerful tools for evangelism, particularly in engaging the younger generation, which represents the majority of the world's population.
Continuous Development of the Church in the Field of Technology
The GAiN Conference has become a melting pot of modern technology, where Adventist communicators from around the world can contribute, collaborate, and share valuable content and tools that can be contextualized for their local regions.
Looking ahead, GAiN continues to develop strategies and innovations to amplify the church's mission in the digital space. As it reaches its 20th year of digital missions, Costa encourages future leaders to build on the foundation laid by early pioneers, explore new possibilities in digital technology, and remain steadfast and true to the message of the scriptures while leveraging the opportunities of the digital age.
The original article was published on the Southern Asia-Pacific Division website.