Teacher Finds Hope with Help from Portal Adventista

Diego Soares was not ready to study the Bible. After receiving an invitation from the principal of the school where he works, the 35-year-old teacher tried it. She introduced him to Esperança, an artificial intelligence innovation of the Seventh-day Adventist Church that accompanies internet users and helps them understand biblical topics via WhatsApp. Although Soares did some lessons, he did not proceed.

Over time, anxiety set in, and emotional difficulties became a reality. Soares then remembered the tool and went to the internet to look for it. The link he found directed to a report from Portal Adventista. From there, he began a daily journey of studies and acquired a new habit: reading the Bible and praying.

Since then, he has accumulated around eight diplomas, all signed by Pastor William Timm, who coordinates the department responsible for Esperança, at Rede Novo Tempo de Comunicação, in the interior of São Paulo. After taking the fourth course, they met in Brasília for a wet hug, the result of the Soares' baptism.

"This story is an example of how digital media [can] bring people to physical churches. This gives us a feeling of great joy, as it shows that it is an effective evangelistic tool. We are involved in communication and always act with a focus on mission, and not from a human perspective," underlines Timm.

Mission-oriented Eyes

Soares' decision showed more than 420 people who work in Adventist Church offices and institutions in eight South American countries a real result of their efforts and that of many others. "It is incredible to see that what these professionals do is enhanced in the hands of the Lord. We wanted each of them to be inspired to continue to dedicate their talents to the mission given to us by Christ. We are making disciples," explains Pastor Jorge Rampogna, director of the Communication Department for that territory. 

On May 17–19, they were immersed in a program designed to empower, inspire, and reaffirm the role of communication as a key area for the Seventh-day Adventist Church. In addition, it allowed them to expand their network of contacts, exchange experiences, and understand the possibilities that open up, especially after the most critical phase of the COVID-19 pandemic.

National and international speakers, with academic and market experience, presented reflections on communication trends and also pointed out how the church can strategically look to the future in order to reach its stakeholders with its 100-year-long gospel message, encompassing health, education, family, and spiritual life.

Among the topics were the analysis of reputation management, strategic planning, mission in the digital age, use of the Adventist Church's trademark, challenges of theology and communication, the role of influencers and how to leverage the reach of the Adventist message with their help, reflections on opportunities, and assessments of the metaverse, among others.

Presidents of the denomination's administrative headquarters from 16 regions in South America also attended the event. Responsible for one or more states or nations, they got to know even more closely how the work of these professionals has crossed borders in the face of a common objective.

For example, Pastor Misael González Flores stressed that there is much to be learned from professionals who work at church headquarters in the territory below the equator. He came from Panama, Central America, with a team of 14 people. They are responsible for video productions, journalistic content, and radio operations, among others. Flores, Communication director for the Adventist Church in Brazil, was delighted with what he saw. 

"We came to learn about new tools, new technologies. It was really a blessing for all of us. We believe that this exchange is necessary for our growth in Panama. When we get there, we want to implement the ideas we learned. The church invested to be here because it believes that we can do different things," details Flores, who, in each lecture, presentation of reports, or workshop, noted questions, projections, challenges, and opportunities. 

Flores explains that about 70 people work in denominational communication across the country. Most of them are volunteers who do each activity with a focus on helping people come to know Christ. From Brasília, the group also travels to São Paulo, where they will get to know the structure of the Novo Tempo Network to extract more knowledge that can be applied to their reality.

Hope that Moves 

In his years leading the Communications Department at Adventist World Headquarters, Pastor Williams Costa Jr. knows the reality and challenges of the church in other territories up close. However, he reinforces that the most important thing is to always do everything with a heart full of gratitude to God, even if the technical conditions, for example, are not ideal. 

"Communication has always been an indispensable tool to inform and inspire members, motivate them in the mission, and, at the same time, attract people to Jesus. But communication without spiritual content, without the action of the Holy Spirit, becomes empty. What really gives meaning to communication is communion with God, which is reflected in words and deeds," Costa underlines. Among the nearly 500 attendees, he was thrilled with their focus and commitment to the church's mission.

Pastor Stanley Arco, president of the denomination for eight countries in South America, stressed that the technique needs to be filled with spiritual content and this occurs through communion with God. "He made you a watchman to announce a message of hope. But it is necessary to hear the word of God's mouth. What I live with Him and His word is what I will be able to transmit. And this is reflected in a post, video, or program radio station because you heard the voice of God and transmitted it." 

Arco was at the three-day event, always on the first bench, and spoke with several professionals. He thanked them for putting their talents in God's hands and making a difference in the lives of millions of people, especially in the most severe period of the crisis caused by COVID-19. Still, he encouraged each one to continue to carry hope forward, both through technology and the Spirit that moves Seventh-day Adventists, so it reaches more hearts, in the same way it reached Soares. "We have a commitment to the mission, and it's not over yet," Arco exclaims.

This article was originally published on the South American Division’s news site