{"id":24835,"date":"2025-10-30T10:00:57","date_gmt":"2025-10-30T10:00:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ted.adventist.org\/news\/?p=24835"},"modified":"2025-10-29T10:47:02","modified_gmt":"2025-10-29T10:47:02","slug":"connected25-explored-faith-technology-and-the-future-of-outreach","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ted.adventist.org\/news\/connected25-explored-faith-technology-and-the-future-of-outreach\/","title":{"rendered":"ConnectED25 Explored Faith, Technology and the Future of Outreach"},"content":{"rendered":"

22 October 2024 | Bracknell, UK [Catherine Anthony Boldeau with tedNEWS<\/em>]<\/p>\n

Pastors, church leaders and lay members from across the UK, Ireland and the Netherlands gathered at Newbold College of Higher Education (NCHE) on Sunday 12 October, for ConnectED25: Faith, Tech and the Future of Outreach<\/em>. The one-day conference, organised by the South England Conference (SEC) Communication and Media department in partnership with NCHE\u2019s Centre for Ministry and Mission, explored how digital tools can be used to advance the Church\u2019s mission.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis was a visionary event, inspired by the Holy Spirit\u2026 anyone who missed this, you must come to the next one. It was informative, inspirational and exactly what you need to move into the future of media and communication,\u201d said Cynthia Osei Owusu-Arthur, HR professional and presenter of the IN2G<\/em> show, produced by the British Union Conference (BUC).<\/p>\n

A Spirit-led Call to Connect<\/h2>\n

The conference opened with a keynote address by Pastor Joe Philpott, newly elected Associate Communication director of the Trans-European Division (TED). His presentation, \u201cDigital Discipleship \u2013 Called to Connect\u201d, blended personal storytelling and theological grounding, drawing on Jesus\u2019 commission in Acts 1:8: \u201cBut you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you shall be my witnesses\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cJesus didn\u2019t give them a communication strategy,\u201d Philpott stated, \u201cbut He gave them a mandate through which the Spirit would work.\u201d Emphasising authenticity in witness, he urged attendees to see the reporter\u2019s pen, the photographer\u2019s lens and the designer\u2019s screen as modern pulpits for proclaiming the gospel. \u201cThe same power that carried the disciples in their ministry is the same Holy Spirit who empowers us today,\u201d he concluded. \u201cAll we need to do is answer the call: \u2018Here am I, send me.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n

\"Pastor
Philpott delivers the keynote presentation \u201cDigital Discipleship \u2013 Called to Connect\u201d during ConnectED25<\/em> at Newbold College of Higher Education<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Engaging with the Realities of the Digital World<\/h2>\n

Dr Sorin Petrof, Director of the Communication and Media department at the SEC and event organiser, offered a deep dive into the intersection of faith, technology and society. A researcher in media studies and a guest lecturer at NCHE, Petrof referenced historian Yuval Harari, noting, \u201cReligions that lost touch with the technical realities of the day forfeit their ability even to understand the questions being asked.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIf we don’t engage meaningfully with technology,\u201d he said, \u201cwe won\u2019t simply struggle to reach people \u2013 we won\u2019t understand\u2026 the world they are navigating.\u201d He added that ConnectED25<\/em> was created to help the Church remain \u201crelevant, effective and faithful\u201d in its digital outreach, providing both vision and practical skills.<\/p>\n

\"Dr
Petrof, Director of Communication and Media for the South England Conference, presents on the importance of engaging with emerging technologies to strengthen faith-based outreach<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Challenging Assumptions: The TED-style Talks<\/h2>\n

Attendees expecting tips on posting devotionals and scripture verses on social media quickly discovered a steeper learning curve. The morning featured eight fast-paced TED-style talks from global experts exploring digital disruption, creativity, AI, and new strategies for communication and mission.<\/p>\n

Pastor Carlos Magalh\u00e3es, Director of Digital Strategies for the South American Division (SAD), delivered a session titled \u201cAI, Gaming, Streaming to Engage Gen Z.\u201d He shared examples of how artificial intelligence is being used in mission, including an AI Bible tutor and AI-generated films that retell the gospel parables. He also described how technologies and platforms such as virtual reality and the Metaverse can support Pathfinders. His four key takeaways were: people use technology to seek connection; younger audiences lead the desire to use these tools, but all ages value community; Christ\u2019s method removes fear of innovation; and the Church must be present where Gen Z lives digitally.<\/p>\n

\"\"
Magalh\u00e3es, Director of Digital Strategies for the South American Division, shares insights on using AI, gaming and streaming platforms to engage Gen Z in faith and discipleship<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Paulin Giurgi, Vice President of Hope Media Europe, shared insights from across nine media centres in the Inter-European Division, which currently reach 2.5 million people each month. His message, \u201cFrom Screens to Streets: Faith in Action,\u201d cautioned against treating faith as a commodity. \u201cWe are not sellers, we are disciples,\u201d he said. He outlined ten principles to guide digital ministry, including relevance, context, innovation and presence.<\/p>\n

\"Paulin
Giurgi, Vice President of Hope Media Europe, speaks on the theme \u201cFrom Screens to Streets: Faith in Action,\u201d encouraging communicators to transform online influence into real-world impact<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Keith Kirk, CEO of Code Group Music, led a presentation titled \u201cHarnessing Music Publishing for Digital Mission.\u201d A music business expert, he surprised the audience by noting that only 1.5% of the 695 hymns in the Adventist hymnal were written by Adventists. He gave a short history of Chapel Music (formerly Chapel Records), a Seventh-day Adventist record label, and presented opportunities for Adventist composers to collaborate with global music agencies. He also highlighted the growing influence of Christian music as a tool for outreach.<\/p>\n

\"Keith
Kirk, CEO of Code Group Music, discusses how digital publishing and rights management can amplify Christian music and strengthen the Church\u2019s outreach<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Dr Dan Serb, Principal of NCHE and co-organiser of the event, presented \u201cRELATE: Faith, AI & Relationships.\u201d While affirming AI\u2019s potential to support mission, he expressed concern about its autonomous decision-making capabilities. He quoted Rowan Williams, saying, \u201cThe holy presence is not one item to be noticed among others, but the foundation of all noticing.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"Dr
Serb, Principal of Newbold College of Higher Education, explores \u201cFaith, AI and Relationships\u201d during his presentation, addressing both the benefits and ethical challenges of artificial intelligence<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

BBC presenter Neil Nunes addressed the attention economy in \u201cCommunicating to a Distracted Generation.\u201d He proposed that communicators appeal to the H.E.A.R.T., meaning Holy intention, Empathy, Attraction, Revelation and Touching the will, in order to engage meaningfully with those immersed in digital spaces.<\/p>\n

\"Neil
Nunes, BBC presenter, leads his session \u201cCommunicating to a Distracted Generation,\u201d offering practical guidance on connecting with audiences in today\u2019s attention-driven culture<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Pastor Christian Salcianu, Principal of the Adventist Discovery Centre (ADC), began his talk \u201cLeading in a Digital Age: From Scripture to Strategy\u201d by asking, \u201cWhere were you in 1982?\u201d Referencing Time Magazine\u2019s decision to name the personal computer \u2018Machine of the Year,\u2019 he highlighted how deeply embedded technology has become in society. His message urged attendees to develop spiritual vision in order to lead effectively in digital spaces.<\/p>\n

\"Pastor
Salcianu, Principal of the Adventist Discovery Centre, challenges delegates to embrace digital leadership grounded in biblical vision in his talk \u201cLeading in a Digital Age: From Scripture to Strategy\u201d<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Eunice Alves, BT Product Designer, presented on \u201cMaximising Your Canva Skills for Digital Outreach.\u201d She outlined four principles for good design: beauty draws attention, story builds connection, familiarity builds trust and emotion drives action. \u201cGod is the original designer,\u201d she said, encouraging participants to bring intentionality and excellence to their church websites, posters and social media.<\/p>\n

\"Eunice
Alves, Product Designer at BT, demonstrates creative design principles in her workshop \u201cMaximising Your Canva Skills for Digital Outreach”<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

In his presentation \u201cExploring WhatsApp for Pastoral Connections,\u201d Pastor Pavle Trajkovski, Youth Pastor at Newbold Seventh-day Adventist Church, explored how group chats can be repurposed for pastoral care. Drawing on his MA Theology research, he invited the audience to consider the question, \u201cCan the warmth of a handshake be translated into digital spaces?\u201d He concluded that, with prayer and purpose, even a \u201cdreaded WhatsApp group\u201d can become an instrument of grace.<\/p>\n

\"Pastor
Trajkovski, Youth Pastor at Newbold Seventh-day Adventist Church, discusses his research in \u201cExploring WhatsApp for Pastoral Connections,\u201d highlighting how digital spaces can be used for meaningful care and community<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

From Inspiration to Application<\/h2>\n

In the afternoon, each speaker expanded their talks into 50-minute interactive workshops, allowing participants to apply concepts in a more practical setting.<\/p>\n

\"Presenters
Presenters take part in the closing panel discussion at ConnectED25, responding to audience questions on challenges and opportunities in digital outreach<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

A closing panel discussion brought all presenters together to answer audience questions, including: what is the single biggest challenge for digital outreach, how do we balance public platforms with private spaces, and how do we elevate the voices of Gen Z in church communication?<\/p>\n

The consensus across the panel was that community and connection must remain central to outreach. To remain relevant, the Adventist Church in the UK and Ireland must embrace the digital space, not merely as a communication tool but as a Spirit-led environment for mission.<\/p>\n

Reflecting on the day, Philpott concluded, \u201cConnectED<\/em> was excellent. The environment was good, the networking opportunities superb and the event was Spirit-led.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\n

[Photos: Kevin Guthrie]<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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