GAiN Europe 2024 commenced on November 15, 2024, gathering 265 communicators in Budva, Montenegro. The conference, organized by the Inter-European Division (EUD), Trans-European Division (TED), and HopeMedia Europe, centers around three key themes: the development of content for mission within communication and media ministries, cooperation with personal and publishing ministries for a comprehensive approach to mission, and insights from young creatives on sharing faith through digital media.

Participants include professionals from various sectors, such as communication, media, social media, personal ministries, publishing, and technology. GAiN aims to provide a platform for leaders, content creators, marketers, filmmakers, writers, publishers, and students to engage in meaningful dialogue and training.

The Global Adventist Internet Network (GAiN) conference focuses on communication and media, uniting leaders from publishing and personal ministries to foster networking, collaboration, and the sharing of expertise.

The Opening Ceremony

Paulo Macedo and David Neal, the Communication directors of the EUD and TED respectively, welcomed attendees and introduced a musical performance by the Serbian group Vestige. Klaus Popa, president of HopeMedia Europe, delivered a brief history of GAiN Europe, noting its inception in 2014 as an initiative to connect, share, and develop strategies for cross-media projects. He provided an overview of the event's schedule and objectives.

Macedo acknowledged the challenges of organizing the event due to overwhelming participation. He expressed optimism, stating, “God is opening doors,” and urged participants to focus on building lasting relationships and effective strategies.

Guilliermo Biaggi, General Conference vice-president, and Williams Costa Jr., Global Communication director, also addressed the audience, emphasizing the urgent need to share the message of Jesus Christ with billions around the world.

Devotional Session

Tor Tjeransen, former president of the Norwegian Union and current Communication director, shared a personal message about God’s infinite grace, reflecting on how it had transformed his life and purpose.

Tjeransen recounted his past mistakes as a teenager and how he learned from them, stating, “God delivered me from my failures through His grace. I felt forgiven and redeemed. Grace has a powerful effect!” He went on to highlight the significance of character over technology in effective communication, reinforcing the idea that consistency with the message of Jesus Christ is vital.

The first day of GAiN 2024 concluded with a series of songs, prayers, and camaraderie among participants, setting a positive tone for the remainder of the event. The event will run until November 19.

The original article was published on the Inter-European Division website.