On October 20, GAiN officially began in Budva, Montenegro.
Around 250 participants, most from the Inter-European Division (EUD) and Trans-European Division (TED) of the Adventist Church, gathered to share ideas, projects and plans. Communication professionals met in Budva to work out common strategies in the field of communication, media and mission.
GAiN began right after the joint EUD Mission & Communications Advisory, which took place from October 16 to 19.
The Vision for the Advisory and GAiN Europe
In the last few years, the Communication Department has been increasing in its direct missionary approach, bringing the need to plan, connect, interface, and collaborate more strategically and operationally with the Adventist Mission and Personal Ministries Departments. A concept “first contact – community – baptism – discipleship” is a goal to be achieved by all, joining efforts. Media institutions are indispensable and valuable assets to this effort. On the other hand, social media has grown the possibility, opportunity and will of each person to share content.
“Each one is now not just a user but a producer of content. We’re all produsers, both users and producers” said Paulo Macedo, Inter-European Division Communication director. “We need to inspire, be involved and train new digital disciples to engage in the virtual world like we always did in the physical word. They are one now,” concluded Macedo.
The GAiN organizing team – EUD and TED Communication Departments, and Hope Media Europe – had this vision together.
Collaboration with the General Conference
The EUD and TED had a full support from GC, sending large representations from the Communication and Adventist Mission departments. Also the two Presidents from EUD, Mário Brito, and TED, Daniel Duda, were present at the event and presented their personal journey of faith and vision for mission through media.
The events were also attended by other Division representatives and attached fields (ESD, SPD, Ukraine).
GAiN Europe
GAiN Europe was organized by the EUD & TED Communication departments and by Hope Media Europe.
Special invitees were the Adventist Mission and Personal Ministries leaders from EUD, Florian Ristea, and TED, Patrick Johnson. The goal was to have - for the first time - a GAiN Europe event where all could discuss an effective communication, media and mission approach to evangelism.
41 countries have been represented at GAiN Europe - from Argentina to Australia, from Norway to the Middle East.
The Theme
The topic for this edition is “Purpose” – finding a meaning and a purpose in life in connection with God and sharing His message with others. The event has been planned to focus on digital discipleship.
The highlights
The event was attended by numerous Adventist leaders, who focused their speeches on their personal experience.
Guilliermo Biaggi, Vice-President of the General Conference, motivated the audience by encouraging everyone to be courageous and faithful because 'the Lord is with us and will walk before us wherever we go - so we must not be afraid'.
Mario Brito, President of the Inter-European Division, emphasized the fact that, without a deep, daily relationship with God, we cannot bear fruit in evangelization.
Daniel Duda, President of the Trans-European Division, pointed out that the Lord often opens unexpected doors, opening our lives to perspectives that may frighten us, but which we can face by trusting in God.
Williams Costa, Director of Communications at the General Conference, showed us how creative communication - such as music - can help open people's hearts.
For more info, please go here.
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Picture: Guilliermo Biaggi, GC Vice-President; Mario Brito, EUD President; Williams Costa, GC Communications Director; Daniel Duda, TED President. [Jimmy Botha] / AME (CC BY 4.0).
