Hundreds of communication leaders in Indonesia gathered in Bali to reinforce digital evangelism in the country.
More than 100 delegates from different communication companies flew to the country’s largest tourist destination to participate in the Bi Union Communication Summit and AWR Media Training on July 5 to 8, 2022. Participants convened to train and develop strategies on how to boost online evangelism, reports Adventist.asia.
With the right strategy, message, and platform, millions of people can be reached and hear Jesus speaking to them through their smartphones. —Neville Neveling, AWR Cellphone Evangelism Specialist
The delegates met leaders from the General Conference, Southern Asia-Pacific Region, Adventist World Radio, and Hope Channel Indonesia to give spiritual guidance and technical expertise during the four-day conference. Some of the event’s speakers participated online, including Williams Costa, GC Communication Director and Elder Roger Caderma, a leader of the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists.
Costa discussed the importance of digital evangelism in reaching billions of people worldwide. He encouraged the participants and reminded them of the importance of their mission. “I challenge each of you to be a believer who believes in Jesus,” he said. “Have faith that our efforts will not be in vain, but through prayer and dedication, God will utilize every medium to proclaim His word around the world.”
Indonesia has the fourth largest population in the world and is a predominantly Muslim country, with only less than 10% Christians. The country has over 700 language groups and 120 unreached ethnic groups. One of the most effective ways to bring the Gospel closer to people is through the Internet. There’s an emergence of different devices and connectivity that the church can tap to send the Good News to people who could not be normally reached through traditional means.
“This unconventional strategy to conduct evangelism online is reaching people exactly where they are,” said Neville Neveling, AWR Cellphone Evangelism Specialist. “This strategy breaks down walls and borders and enables us to bring the message of hope straight to their personal spaces.” He added, “With the right strategy, message, and platform, millions of people can be reached and hear Jesus speaking to them through their smartphones.”
Pastor Mamerto Guingguing II, Communication Director of the Southern Asia-Pacific Division, talked about the church’s identity and the message they should be sending to the world. “We are people of the Bible, and it should reflect in our organization, actions, character, and content. This consistency across all mediums speaks clearly of the faith and message we wanted to share with the world.”
The world of communication is changing, giving the church many ways and platforms to spread the Gospel and reach more people. At the end of the conference, the delegates accepted the challenge of developing technology that can be used to advance evangelism.
