28 October 2026 | Podkowa Leśna, Poland [Daniel Kluska and tedNEWS]
How can we create content that not only captures attention but also changes lives? From 9 to 11 October 2026, the Polish College of Theology and Humanities in Podkowa Leśna, Poland, hosted GAiN-Z Poland 2026, a conference bringing together young people passionate about media, communication and digital mission. The three-day event combined practical digital media skills with reflection on the Seventh-day Adventist Church’s mission.
Under the theme “Create. Communicate. Inspire.”, young people gathered to explore how social media, emerging technologies, and creative storytelling can share the gospel. This was the first Polish edition of GAiN Gen-Z, designed specifically for Generation Z, and was jointly organised by the Polish Union Conference (PUC) Communication & Media department and Hope Media Poland. Their aim was not only to help young people develop practical media skills but, above all, to inspire them to become actively involved in the Church’s digital mission.
Conducted entirely in English, the conference brought together more than 50 participants from ten countries. Alongside attendees from Poland, the event welcomed participants from Hungary, Slovenia, Bulgaria, Austria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Germany, Sweden and the United Kingdom.
The keynote speakers were Kevin Wilson and Seth Pierce, both based in the United States. They combine pastoral ministry with communication and understand the challenges of sharing Christian values in a rapidly changing world. Throughout the conference, they drew on practical experience and academic knowledge.
Communicating faith through storytelling
The conference opened on Friday evening with Kevin Wilson’s presentation, “Epistemic Gentleness: 3 Practices for Reaching the Secular Mind”. Wilson emphasised the importance of approaching conversations with respect, openness and sensitivity to the experiences of others. His presentation set the tone for the weekend, reminding participants that meaningful communication begins with a genuine effort to understand the people they hope to reach.
Saturday’s programme combined spiritual reflection with practical learning. During the Sabbath worship service, Seth Pierce presented “Story Hunting”, exploring how to discover and share stories that resonate with audiences and encourage deeper reflection.
Pierce is a Seventh-day Adventist pastor, communication scholar, university lecturer and author of numerous books and articles. He previously taught communication at Union Adventist University and currently serves as lead pastor of Sunnyside Seventh-day Adventist Church in Portland, Oregon. He created the Beast & Bible podcast.
Kevin Wilson, meanwhile, introduced participants to the fundamentals of engaging online content through his presentation, “Digital Storytelling 101”. Originally from Sri Lanka, Wilson is a Seventh-day Adventist pastor, author and digital content creator known online as CrossCultureKev (@crossculturekev). He gained widespread recognition for videos that combine preparing traditional chai with personal reflections on faith, culture, and everyday life.
Building online and offline communities
Saturday afternoon focused on social media and popular culture. In “Media Effects Every Creator Needs to Know”, Pierce explored how media messages influence audiences and shape their perceptions. His second presentation, “Pop Culture Without Panic”, encouraged participants to engage thoughtfully with contemporary popular culture rather than respond to it with fear or prejudice.
Wilson then shared insights from his own experience of building an online community. His presentation, “How to Build a Personal Brand for Ministry: Grow from 0–500K Followers”, examined how creators can establish their identity, develop engaging content and build lasting relationships with their audiences.
However, GAiN-Z was about much more than lectures and workshops. Worship, prayer, conversations and fellowship were equally important parts of the experience. On Saturday evening, some participants headed to Warsaw for a group walk. Although the weather was far from ideal, spirits remained high. Others stayed on the campus of the Polish College of Theology and Humanities and spent the evening playing board games.
These informal moments created opportunities to make new friends, share experiences, and discuss possibilities for future collaboration.
Practical skills for digital mission
Sunday’s programme took an even more practical approach. Pierce explored advertising and persuasion techniques used in content creation, while Wilson addressed the financial side of being a digital creator.
In his presentation, “Creator-preneurship 101: How to Steward Finances Through Content Creation”, Wilson discussed financial responsibility and the opportunities available to those developing their own digital platforms. The programme also included a 90-minute workshop, giving participants a chance to explore the topics in greater depth, ask questions, and share their experiences.
The conference also connected with OneVoice27, the worldwide Adventist Church’s evangelistic initiative being implemented in Poland under the theme #JestNadzieja (“There Is Hope”). One of its central goals is to encourage church members to use their talents, skills and available resources to share a message of hope.
Reflecting on the event, PUC Communication and Media director Daniel Kluska said, “Looking back at GAiN-Z Poland, what encouraged me most was the enthusiasm, creativity and genuine desire of young people to make a difference.”
He continued, “My greatest hope is that they return to their local churches not only inspired but also empowered to take initiative, challenge conventional approaches and find new, meaningful ways to share the gospel with their generation.”
[Photos: Daniel Kluska and Jonatan Kasperczak]
