The East-Central Africa Division (ECD) officially launched OneVoice27—an initiative calling Adventists to use their digital media and everyday influence to share the gospel—during a gathering at Victory Seventh-day Adventist Church in Kisumu, Kenya, on September 5.

The launch brought nearly 4,000 people to the church, while more than 10,000 others joined through various YouTube channels. ECD departmental leaders participated in launch activities across other territories of the division.

The event was attended by Blasious Ruguri, ECD president; Moses Maka, ECD executive secretary; and Yohannes Olana, ECD chief financial officer and treasurer. Gideon Mutero, associate treasurer of the General Conference, and leaders from Central Nyanza Conference were also present.

Reflecting on the significance of the OneVoice27 Global Launch Day, Ruguri drew attention to Jesus' baptism.

He noted that Jesus did not need to be baptized Himself but chose to identify with humanity as He began His public ministry.

For Ruguri, Christ's mission belongs to every believer, and Christ has promised to be with His followers as they carry it forward.

He also acknowledged the investment Olana made in developing digital ministry and the training of content creators.

“Olana, why are you investing in this?” Ruguri recalled asking during the Content Creators and Influencers Summit.

Olana said his support for digital ministry is grounded in the Great Commission. The launch of OneVoice27, he explained, is not a one-day event or a temporary program but the beginning of a movement that uses phones and other resources God has placed in his people's hands to spread the gospel to all the world.

Mutero connected OneVoice27 with the multiplication of evangelistic impact through media.

A sermon may be heard by those present in a church, but media allows the same message to reach many more people and be repeated long after the original presentation.

Mutero illustrated this through the biblical account of Jesus directing His disciples to cast their nets on the other side of the boat. For Mutero, the digital space represents another place where the Church can cast its nets.

The message is not to abandon traditional evangelism, but to use media to multiply and replicate messages of hope, said Mutero.

“By utilizing media, we shall multiply, replicate messages of hope,” he said.

Samuel Misiani, president of the West Kenya Union Conference, emphasized the changing opportunities for gospel proclamation.

The pulpit, he noted, is no longer limited to the front of a church. Through digital platforms, people can hear the message wherever they are, he said.

Misiani encouraged members to use the devices in their hands to share hope and make Christ known.

“No one can deny you a pulpit because it’s on your hand,” Misiani said.

He also connected the initiative with the Church’s responsibility to prepare people for Christ’s return.

Maka, described OneVoice27 as an initiative that brings the mission of the Church into the present moment.

He connected the launch with the hope brought by Jesus Christ and the need to share that hope in a world facing confusion, anxiety, and uncertainty.

Maka also emphasized the importance of mobilizing members throughout the year, asking how the Church can use its 52 Sabbaths to involve every member in mission.

The initiative, he said, should not remain at the level of a launch, but should become a continuing movement.

Maka also called for a greater involvement of young people, encouraging leaders to support them as they use digital devices and other resources for the glory of God.

As part of the launch, participants received commitment cards that enabled them to express their willingness to take part in God’s mission and to reach others. The commitment reflected the central message of OneVoice27: mission is not reserved for a few people; it belongs to the whole Church.

Ruguri encouraged members to use their individual voices and areas of influence, noting that each person has a different audience and different opportunities to reach others.

He called on the Church to work together, speak with one voice, and use its resources to proclaim the gospel.

The launch concluded with a prayer involving the Victory Seventh-day Adventist Church board, as the mantle of mission was passed to the local congregation, including its young people.

The prayer also reflected the desire that what had begun at the division level would continue in local churches and communities.

This article was provided by the East-Central Africa Division.