From November 12–15, 2025, communication, media, IT, publishing, and other Adventist professionals from across Europe met in Pravets, Bulgaria, for the Global Adventist Internet Network (GAiN) Europe conference, held under the theme “Let There Be Light.”

Hosted jointly by the Seventh-day Adventist Church's Trans-European Division (TED), Inter-European Division (EUD), and Hope Media Europe (HME), the gathering centered on a shared question: "What can be done together to reach Europe with the love of Jesus?"

“This is much more than a technical conference,” note lead organizers and TED communication director Vanesa Pizzuto, EUD communication director Paulo Macedo, and HME president Klaus Poppa, “because this question drives our collaboration, our creativity, and our commitment to telling stories that illuminate Christ’s compassion across a diverse continent.”

In a plenary titled “The Together Way,” Norel Lacob, Signs of the Times Romania editor, outlined practical steps for partnership—sharing inspiration, exchanging content, co-producing series, and using common platforms—citing Philippians 2:4 to underscore a Christ-centered approach to teamwork.

Prayer and the Spirit Are Non-Negotiable

Opening the conference, Brad Kemp, South Pacific Division Communication director, drew on a lifetime of ministry leadership to share lessons from his presentation “The Essence of Things.” He emphasized that effective ministry starts with gathering the right team, setting a clear direction, and fostering a shared commitment to the Kingdom vision.

Kemp urged leaders to embrace collaboration over silos, think boldly, and communicate purpose with clarity. Referencing Acts 4 and 2 Corinthians 5, he underscored that prayer, openness to the Holy Spirit, and seeking God’s guidance are essential, non-negotiable foundations for every media initiative.

Mission and Spiritual Growth

Poppa shared in the opening service that GAiN Europe exists “not merely for professional excellence, but for mission and personal spiritual growth.”

Poppa continued, “It is a space where culturally and personally diverse communicators find Spirit-given unity and shared purpose—learning to bear one another’s burdens, as Galatians 6:2 urges—and in doing so, fulfills the law of Christ.”

“The personal life of the communicator is as important as the message being shared,” said Ramón Canals, ministerial secretary of the General Conference. As a leader, Canals described his mission as one of encouraging, energizing, empowering, and equipping others for the sake of the mission.

Canals highlighted the importance of character and humility in communication, pointing to Romans 15:5–6 as a model for “one mind and one voice.”

Light for a Polarising World

Speakers also addressed polarized public discourse. In a morning devotional, Pizzuto reflected on Jesus and the Samaritan woman, emphasizing the importance of trust-building and common ground.

In evening messages and a Sabbath (Saturday) sermon, Adventist pastor Ian Sweeney referenced John 8 to contrast “spotlighting darkness” with walking in the light of Christ, calling for communication that elevates grace and transformation.

Macedo drew on John 10:22–24 to illustrate “presence as light,” encouraging communicators to be intentionally present in culturally significant spaces and to use those moments for deeper connection and meaning.

A panel moderated by Pizzuto, featuring Paulin Giurgi, HME vice-president for programming and communication, Macedo, Kimberly Luste Maran, North American Division Communication director, and Sweeney, considered how faith can be communicated constructively amid polarization.

Panelists emphasized context awareness, Christ-centered messaging, clarity about the limits of speech that incites harm, and a tone marked by friendship rather than aggression. They also urged institutional communicators to reflect the Church’s values above partisanship. The session closed with 2 Timothy 1:7.

Participants cited the Pravets Lake setting and program design—time for plenaries, workshops, and networking—as strengths that supported collaboration. Organizers said the conference renewed commitment to “rise, shine, and tell the story” through shared projects and platforms across Europe.

The original article was published on the Trans-European Division news site.