04 January 2024 | St. Albans [David Neal & Vanesa Pizzuto]
When Adventist communicators met last autumn from across Europe and around the world, many employed by the church and others who are freelance, the annual GAiN Europe (Global Adventist Information Network) can be described as the communicator’s version of the Ministerial Association. It is an event where directors, producers, editors, videographers, and social media gurus meet to exchange ideas and experiences with one common aim: to use their gifts and talents to share the gospel. For the first time in 2023, the GAiN leadership began the journey of closer collaboration with Personal Ministries Leaders.
Among the keynote speakers for the 2023 conference held in Budva, Montenegro, was the Trans-European Division (TED) president, Daniel Duda, invited on Sabbath, 21 October, to share his spiritual faith journey story. Before sharing his story, he explained the role of spiritual gifts, particularly those involved in communication and its contribution to building up the Kingdom of God. While the principles Duda shared were directed at the leaders in the room, they also have broader applications for multiple ministries in church life.
As an introduction to how we can each be used by the Lord in 2024, watch Duda share his faith story, lined with surprise after surprise as to how God has led in his life – and, of course, the story ending with an invitation.
A very happy new year to you from the Trans-European Division Communication and Media team, with the hope that 2024 will brim with joy through sharing Christ by whatever means.
The importance of spiritual gifts to the church (introductory remarks )
“Ministry in the New Testament is based on spiritual gifts. If people serve outside their area of giftedness, the work is drudgery, no one is blessed, and people get demoralised. However, if you serve with your spiritual gift, you experience satisfaction, people are blessed, inpsired and empowered. Spiritual gifts are supernatural gifts of the Holy Spirit that He gives to people…
As communicators and Personal Ministries leaders, you have the capacity to choose words that move people to action and inspire people to go beyond apathy and cynicism. We all know the power of media in this society, in the world in which we live, how they can polarise, how they can split society, how they can arouse the worst in humanity… But you do it for the kingdom of God, you do it for the body of Christ, you do it so that you inspire the best in humanity.”
[Featured image: Tor Tjeransen, AME, 100126193].
