The General Conference (GC) Communication Department held the annual Global Adventist Internet Network (GAiN) forum in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, from May 15 to 19, 2013. The keynote message was “It Is Possible: Casting God’s Net.”
GAiN is a community of Seventh-day Adventist communication leaders, technologists, and internet and media professionals who connect to discuss the creative use of internet technology in their work, and in the lives of those whom they serve.
The annual GAiN forum holds an important place in Internet Ministry. This time, the forum was the largest meeting ever, with approximately 250 people, including delegates from Africa attending. The GC officers included Robert Lemon, GC Treasurer; Benjamin Schoun, GC General Vice President; Delbert Baker, GC General Vice President; Armando Miranda, GC General Vice President and Ted Wilson, GC President. All the officers showed their support, and interest in the forum by their presence.
Thirty-six presentations on the newest technology, issues related to the internet and media ministry, and thirteen Division reports on media ministry were presented during the forum. The presentations covered some important topics such as “The Multi-Screen Generation”, “Adventist.org Brand and Voice”, “Social Media Discipleship”, “Mobile Security”, “Copyrights and Media”, “The Connected Congregation”, “An Adventist Design Framework”, “How Innovation is Changing Storytelling”, “The Future of Adventist Media”, “The Creation Film, and “Internet Evangelism in China.” Integrated system construction of the Adventist internet website in the world and distribution of the Creation film were the main issues.
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SukHee Han, Northern Asia-Pacific Division (NSD) Communication Director, S. J. Byun, NSD Media Center Manager, and Paul Kim, NSD IT Manager, attended the forum as the representatives for the NSD. Brother Zhao Rui gave a presentation on “Internet Evangelism in China,” and was well received by the audience.
On Sabbath, all attendees went to the Gulf Mission Church, Gulf Field, which is located about an hour and a half drive from Dubai. Together with local church members, about 600 people had a united worship. Ted Wilson, GC President, delivered a gracious message on “Let down the nets for a catch” which is based on Luke 5:1-11. “This is the Nets Age represented by the internet. The reason why the internet is so full of activity nowadays is so we can cast the evangelistic nets to the world,” said Wilson.
SukHee Han, NSD Communication Director led the Sabbath School lesson in the morning and reported on the NSD’s PR/Media/IT ministries in the afternoon.
Attendees said they acquired very beneficial, and varied knowledge and information related to the internet and media ministry of today through the forum. It was also a great time to show cooperation and communication by Adventist Internet Ministry all over the world.
GAIN’s 2014 meeting is scheduled to be held in India. The forum is held in a different region of the world each year to motivate, and inspire local participants to understand the challenges and opportunities of fulfilling the mission of the Adventist Church in different cultures and regions. We hope that more people who are interested in the Internet and Media Ministry can attend the next meeting.
News Article by Han, Suk Hee