The General Conference (GC) Communication Department (Director: Williams Costa, Jr.) held its 10th Global Adventist Internet Network (GAiN) Forum at Maritime Training Center in Baltimore, Maryland, USA, from February 12 to 16, 2014. About 300 attendees, including Ted Wilson, GC president, and Robert Lemon, GC treasurer, gathered for the forum with its theme of "Building the Future Online."
On Sabbath, February 15, GC president Ted Wilson presented the NET Award to Dr. Milton Soldani Alfonso for his dedication to Internet and media ministry. Alfonso graduated from a Seventh-day Adventist (SDA) university and is now the president of a successful insurance and financial company in South America. He was given the award for his financial support of media ministry in SDA churches around the world. GC president Ted Wilson emphasized the importance of media ministry, saying, "This is the Net Age represented by the Internet. The Internet is active these days so that we can cast the Gospel net to the world to save souls."
GC treasurer Robert Lemon preached a sermon on the topic of “Noah and his carpenters” for the Sabbath service. He spoke on Genesis chapter 6 and said, "The carpenters put their efforts into building the ark, but they did not enter it." He appealed to the attendees to stand firm in their faith, saying, "If we devote ourselves to media ministry and such work as building a great network and cannot go to heaven, it would be such a shame."
Williams Costa, Jr., GC communication director, said in his welcome speech, "There have been many difficulties in holding the GAiN forum every year. I am grateful to God and the communication department officers in all the divisions for their full cooperation to have the 10th GAiN Forum." He also said, "This 10th forum is an opportunity to make a new leap forward. I hope that our mission work to save souls all over the world could be accelerated by obtaining the latest technology, networking with other attendees, and sharing information through this forum.”
GAiN participants pay attention to the presentation. About 300 people attended this 10th forum.
Elder Ted N. C. Wilson, GC President presents NET AWARD to Dr. Milton Alfonso in appreciation of his great dedication and sacrifice for the Media Evangelism
Opening Night of the 2014 Global Adventist Internet Network
Elder SukHee Han, NSD Communication director gives presentation of the NSD Creation Project
"Heroes, the Game" team member introduce the game to a GAiN participant
Elder Williams Costa Jr., GC Communication Director speaks to the GAiN participants. Elder Costa has been successfully hosting the GAiN forum for 10 years.
Useful Tools for Gospel Work
At the first evening meeting, John Gratz, director of the GC International Religious Liberty Association, shared the story of Pastor Monteiro. Last year, Pastor Monteiro was sentenced to life imprisonment due to false accusations but was recently released from the prison in Togo with the help of Seventh-day Adventists around the world. He especially thanked the Communication Department at the GC and other divisions worldwide for carrying out various campaigns to help him get released, such as having a signature drive for a petition, sending Christmas cards, and setting a fast day on Sabbath.
Pardon Mwansa, GC general vice president, gave a message based on Daniel 2, saying "The vision and power of Daniel granted from God was so superior that those of other magicians or enchanters or astrologers could not compare." He also said, "As we are living in a chaotic world, where people are enthralled by numerous kinds of new digital media, everyone involved in communication and media in the SDA church should make good use of various media tools and contents to deliver the Gospel in creative and evangelistic ways.”
Various Topics and Lively Interests
Gerson P. Santos, director of GC Global Mission Urban Center, under the subject of "Big Cities, Big Opportunities," emphasized mission work in big cities. He suggested “5 Successful Outreach Principles”: Christ-centered message, Jesus’ method, strategic planning, innovation and creativity, and the city–mission field.
During the conference, "Bible Heroes," the tablet-based game designed to deliver the Gospel to young people, was of great interest to the attendees. In addition, there were sessions dealing with various topics, such as social media evangelism, successful content marketing, Internet in China and mobile app development. In a debate on the Creation Project, which was worked on worldwide by the GC, Pastor Han SukHee, Northern Asia-Pacific Division (NSD) communication director, reported on the progress of this project in the Korean Union Conference, Chinese Union Mission and Japan Union Conference.
New, Innovative and Creative Ways of Mission
This year’s GAiN Forum, which was held from February 12 to 16, including a special service on Sabbath, was held with earnest and enthusiastic responses from attendees in spite of its tight schedule. It allowed attendees to come up with new, innovative and creative ways of mission work through the Internet and media. The 11th GAiN Forum is scheduled to be held in Cote d’lvoire, Abidjan, located in Western Africa in 2015.