As technology advances, especially with the growing presence of artificial intelligence (AI), the need for trained professionals to work with these innovations becomes increasingly evident.
The same is true for communication leaders and servers who work in institutions and administrative headquarters of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. To prepare them, the Global Adventist Internet Network (GAiN) South America 2024 was held from October 24 to 27, 2024. The event aimed to discuss and train participants on the effective use of artificial intelligence and new approaches to evangelism through technology. This year's event was held at the Novo Tiempo headquarters, located in São Paulo, Brazil.
Several lectures and workshops covered everything from the creation of digital content to the implementation of AI tools for communication. According to Jorge Rampogna, director of the Communication Department of the South American Division (SAD), communication is strategic, and that is why they seek to learn and use new technologies.
“At this event we reaffirm our commitment to using new technologies to fulfill our mission. There are thousands of tools that are allies in the exercise of our profession, and that give us infinite possibilities to enhance that hope,” he says.
AI + Evangelism
One of the central themes presented during the event was the integration of artificial intelligence into the work of communicators to optimize time and reach more people. In the practical workshops, participants had the opportunity to experience various AI tools applicable in their areas of communication, from task automation to data analysis to better understand the needs of different audiences.
However, the event also brought up the ethical challenges related to the use of AI. Several of the presentations pointed out that it is essential to apply this technology in a way that respects the values and principles of the church. “Technology is powerful, but it cannot replace the human touch. We must use AI to better serve people, not to dehumanize our mission,” Rampogna clarifies.
Innovation and Strategy
Alyssa Truman, Communication assistant director at the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, emphasized the need to innovate in communication today.
“Communication is vital to the growth and health of the Church. What we do here today directly impacts the mission we have. Communicators are messengers of truth, and every project must align with the goals of reaching and transforming lives,” she stressed.
Also considered were some practical applications of AI that are bringing significant benefits to the Adventist Church. Among the most notable was Esperanza, the Church’s first AI-powered virtual Bible instructor. She provides real-time answers and offers Bible studies tailored to individual interests on WhatsApp.
In addition, a project for an optimized database was presented, aimed at gathering information about the Church to optimize results and collaborate with its strategies for serving members and the community. Initiatives for interactive virtual reality games were also shared to reach teenagers and young people who use video game platforms and are unfamiliar with the Church.
Training for the Mission
Event participants also had access to various resources and materials that would help them implement new techniques learned in their respective regions and countries. The collaboration between the different administrative headquarters present at GAiN highlighted the importance of a support network among Adventist communicators.
Thus, through the exchange of experiences and the construction of strategic collaborations between them, the Church's commitment to staying up to date with the best practices in mission-focused communication was reinforced.
Different Generations, One Mission
The event was an enriching experience for participants who are just starting out in the field. This was the first GAiN for Lara Leite, a student of Communication and audiovisual producer at the Brazilian Central Union, the headquarters of the Adventist Church for the state of São Paulo. She says that, in addition to acquiring valuable knowledge, the meeting also contributed to strengthening her spiritual life and working in the denomination's communication. She felt inspired by seeing how much the Church cares about the well-being of its collaborators.
For Patricio Olivares, general director of Nuevo Tiempo Chile, this was the last GAiN. After 42 years dedicated to the ministry, of which 22 were in communication, he will retire. Over the past decades, he has witnessed how the Church has used the various means of communication and he is happy to see many professionals dedicated to the mission. In addition, he highlights the importance of seeking and surrendering to God to be used in the best way.
“We have the opportunity and responsibility to present people with a hope that goes beyond all human understanding. With that in mind, I return to work motivated to increasingly develop my God-given gifts and talents to reach more people and hasten the return of Jesus,” Lara explains.
“Although all the technologies and sciences represent a vast world, they must be at the service of the Church, the preaching of the Gospel, in a context of reaching out to people. After all, it is people who save people,” he shares.
Communication that Transforms Lives
When technology is used to amplify the voice of the Church, and not replace it, it can transform lives. A clear example of this is the story of Sandra de Oliveira, who met God through the Nuevo Tiempo programs and accepted to be transformed by Jesus during the special week of the Deciphering the Future program. Shortly after, she began receiving Bible studies.
“When I attended the program, my desire to be baptized grew. It was a discovery in my life to find the New Age,” she says.
Lúcio Martins was once part of the Adventist Church, but spent years away from Jesus. One day, facing difficulties, he saw a post with the message “Can I pray for you?” Clicking on the post, he was directed to a WhatsApp conversation, where Roberto Roberti, a digital evangelist, began studying the Bible with him. Sandra and Lúcio were baptized during GAiN.
He firmly believes that the Internet will be used to preach about the second coming of Jesus. Even before being baptized, he was already a missionary and shared “Hope,” the Adventist Church’s artificial intelligence-produced Bible instructor. Before entering the baptistery, he was already giving Bible studies. “If I weren’t a missionary, it wouldn’t make sense to want to be baptized.”
The original article was published on the South American Division Spanish website.
