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A Call for Urgency<\/strong><\/p>\n In the first part of the program, K\u00f6hler set the tone for the day by reminding EXCOM members of the church\u2019s call to be \u201can end time movement that is to prepare the world for the second coming of Jesus.\u201d In that context, it is essential, he said, that visionary leaders retain a sense of urgency about mission. Quoting Adventist Church co-founder Ellen White, he read, \u201cWe have no time \u2014 not a moment \u2014 to lose.\u201d<\/p>\n K\u00f6hler explained that while in some members the sense of urgency seems to be declining, the world appears to be moving at a faster pace, driven by technological advances and other rapid changes and transformations.<\/p>\n Against that background, he said, God is willing to use His human agents so that through simple actions they can allow the Holy Spirit to transform lives. \u201cA click can reunite broken hearts, an email can bring hope, an image can impact a life, a word can change a life,\u201d K\u00f6hler said. \u201cA song can soften a resistant heart, a hug can lift a person up, a Bible study can convert a family, a sermon can save a multitude, a project can change the world,\u201d because in the context of our mission to the world, \u201cwe are God\u2019s angels,\u201d he emphasised.<\/p>\n In closing, K\u00f6hler called on Adventist leaders and members to work with a sense of urgency in the midst of huge challenges, polarisation, fake news, artificial intelligence, digital distractions and addictions, and accelerated thinking. \u201cWe need urgency to avoid missing opportunities, for the time is short,\u201d he said. \u201cLet\u2019s use technology for mission with a sense of urgency!\u201d<\/p>\n Media Opens the Way for Mission<\/strong><\/p>\n In the next segment, David Trim, director of the GC Office of Archives, Statistics, and Research, discussed the beginning of the Adventist mission in Ghana, West Africa. He showed how Adventist literature was used to build a sound body of believers even before missionaries arrived.<\/p>\n \u201cPrint was the cutting-edge medium of communication in its day,\u201d Trim said. \u201cSo, we can say that media prepared the way for missionaries in Ghana.\u201d The same happened in other places, including Guyana and Barbados in the Caribbean.<\/p>\n Adventist publications were used as missionary tools, including Advent Tidende, a Danish magazine that in 1872 became the first medium for foreign mission outreach, according to Trim. \u201cEarly church growth in Scandinavia reflected the influence of the magazine,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n Trim concluded by emphasising that \u201csince the early days of our movement, media have prepared the way\u2026 for the missionary.\u2026 So, we need to put greater resources into media.\u201d<\/p>\n Digital Strategy for Mission<\/strong><\/p>\n After Trim, Stephenson explained why strategy is important when talking about evangelism and mission. He quoted Ellen White, who called members to \u201cstudy, plan, and devise methods to reach people where they are\u201d (Evangelism, p. 122). \u201cThis is what digital strategy is all about,\u201d Stephenson said. \u201cIt\u2019s about creating a framework to ensure the sustainability of our digital evangelism efforts.\u201d<\/p>\n Strategies include using digital evangelism initiatives to connect individuals to a local church community. \u201cUnless our efforts are connected with a local church, we\u2019ll have diminished returns,\u201d he emphasised. Other strategies include developing tailored digital approaches for each department and ministry, adopting world church platforms, integrating and centralising resources, and securing the church\u2019s online identity through effective brand management, he said.<\/p>\n Search Engines and the Truth<\/strong><\/p>\n In the next segment, GC associate communication director Sam Neves explained the roles and potential of today\u2019s major websites such as Google, YouTube, and TikTok in sharing the Adventist message. \u201cTheir search engines work very differently, so it\u2019s important to understand how they present their search results so we can improve our online presence,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n Neves suggested that integration among various church sites could greatly enhance Adventist teachings\u2019 visibility on the first pages of search engines, helping digital missionaries reach many more people. \u201cWe have a calling to present God\u2019s final message to the world,\u201d Neves said. \u201cAnd what I plead with you is that we rely completely on the Holy Spirit to know how to do it.\u201d<\/p>\n Synergy for Mission<\/strong><\/p>\n Other presenters included GC Publishing Ministries assistant director Michael Eckert, who shared about the Global Bible School Initiative, and GC treasurer Paul Douglas, who discussed media synergy initiatives among various church entities.<\/p>\n Douglas reported on meetings among church media entities where leaders discussed \u201chow to spend our money to have the greatest impact, \u2026 how we can work together to achieve more.\u201d He referred to \u201csynergnomics,\u201d defined as \u201cthe prudent practice of everyone paying a little and getting a lot, rather than everyone paying a lot and getting a little.\u201d<\/p>\n Supporting Adventist media synergy includes working to reduce and eliminate duplications and building strategic partnerships between Adventist media brands to unify our message, Douglas said. It also includes effectively and efficiently blending traditional and new media to achieve positive and measurable outcomes. He suggested every church field could also work with these goals in mind.<\/p>\n An Intentional Presence<\/strong><\/p>\n In a later segment of the morning LEAD presentations, North American Division (NAD) vice president for digital media Adam Fenner called on Adventist leaders to focus on having an intentional online presence to support mission. In today\u2019s media climate, \u201cwe are competing for people\u2019s attention,\u201d Fenner acknowledged.<\/p>\n In this current climate, he explained, \u201cother people can do whatever they want online, including using outrageous clickbait. We can\u2019t do that, but what we can do is be in this space very intentionally. We have to ask ourselves, \u2018How can we compete for people\u2019s time?\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n Fenner emphasised that \u201cthe fundamental thing we need to do is to have a positive digital presence.\u201d He then explained what this means: \u201cA positive digital presence means that when people come to our websites, visit our social media feeds, read our newsletters, or go to our Bible studies \u2026 they have a wonderful experience,\u201d Fenner said.<\/p>\n He also recommended leveraging artificial intelligence while ensuring \u201cwe don\u2019t replace ourselves with it,\u201d making relationships the focus of Adventist online efforts, and creating systems that lead people to find fellowship in local churches.<\/p>\n From Conversation to Conversion<\/strong><\/p>\n NAD Adventist Information Ministry director Brent Hardinge agreed with Fenner. \u201cDigital evangelism is the hook to catch people\u2019s attention,\u201d he said. The key, Hardinge emphasised, is fostering \u201cspiritual conversations that lead to conversions. That is what we are looking to see happen.\u201d<\/p>\n In this context, Hardinge emphasised, \u201cTechnology does not change people; the Holy Spirit changes people through personal connections.\u2026 What we want to do now is increase those opportunities for connection.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/ted.adventist.org\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/AME_100131145_20241010TTJ_3386-1.jpg\")
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