The New Zealand Pacific Union Conference (NZPUC) has received a boost in its efforts to equip church members for digital ministry thanks to a new initiative introduced at this year’s GAiN (Global Adventist Innovation Network) and Adventist Technology Summit (ATS) conferences in Auckland, New Zealand.

From this year onwards, GAiN’s Sabbath offering will be directed to a communication, media, or technology initiative in the host territory. The inaugural offering on July 11 raised more than NZ$6,200 (around US$3600) to support NZPUC’s Digital Discipleship initiative.

“We always take up an offering every Sabbath when we have GAiN,” said General Conference communication director Alyssa Truman. “Richard Stevenson, who is the head of ATS, and I decided that we wanted to honor the hosting territory. We sat down with the local territory and asked, 'What project would be beneficial?'"

NZPUC secretary/CFO Kheir Boutros said the Union was “incredibly grateful” to be the first recipient of the new initiative.

The funding will support NZPUC’s Digital Discipleship initiative, which equips church members to engage with people online, answer questions, create meaningful conversations, and help connect them with local churches.

Boutros said the initiative recognizes that many people begin exploring faith online before ever stepping into a church. “People are spiritually curious before they are church curious,” he said.

“Part of that initiative is something we call Face Talk, and the offering will be used to develop resources that invite people into a safe space to have difficult conversations, build meaningful connections and, ultimately, help transform lives for eternity.”

The original article was posted on the South Pacific Division news site, Adventist Record.