From October 25–29, more than 140 participants from across Ukraine gathered at Tviy Tabir (Your Camp) in Rzhavyntsi, Chernivtsi, for a five-day digital evangelism training event organized as part of OneVoice27, an evangelistic initiative of the global Adventist Church.
The training combined lectures, workshops, hands-on assignments, and group discussions to teach participants how to use digital technologies to share the gospel. Sessions covered the use of Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube; written and video content creation; artificial intelligence (AI); media project development; and ways to encourage Bible study through digital platforms.
Digital platforms as tools for evangelism
Several sessions focused on the unique characteristics of various social media platforms and their potential to share the Christian message.
Vasyl Krestynych, local pastor and blogger, discussed using Facebook for evangelistic outreach. He explained how to build a trustworthy online profile, develop posts that encourage meaningful conversations, and use the platform to communicate the Christian message. Krestynych also shared his experience organizing a prayer marathon on Facebook.
Vitalia Tymkiv, a blogger and media producer at Upstream Church, introduced participants to TikTok. She explained how the platform differs from Instagram, outlined principles for producing short-form videos, and demonstrated ways to adapt content to different audiences.
Ivanna Voloshyn, marketing specialist and targeted advertising expert, led sessions on social media positioning, content strategy development, and Instagram promotion.
Vladyslav Poilov, director of the BibleVision project, explored YouTube’s potential for digital evangelism. His presentation addressed channel development, content planning, the platform’s recommendation algorithms, and strategies for reaching wider audiences.
Artificial intelligence and content creation
Maria Prodaniuk, a specialist in generative AI, conducted workshops on visual content creation. Participants explored tools for generating images and videos, including applications for illustrating biblical stories.
Christian blogger and public relations director of Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) Ukraine Serhii Stepaniuk discussed principles of creating Christian content for social media and using AI to assist with writing. He emphasized the responsible use of AI as a tool to support, rather than replace, human creativity and authorship.
Pavlo Vatsenko, chief producer of Hope Channel Ukraine, introduced participants to media project planning. He explained how to develop a project brief defining its objectives, tasks, and required resources.
Serhii Vershylo, director of the Bible School, presented online tools designed to help people begin studying Scripture and explained how churches and individual volunteers could use them in outreach.
Throughout the event, participants applied what they learned through practical assignments, developed their own project ideas, and discussed opportunities for expanding digital ministry in their local congregations.
In their feedback, participants particularly appreciated the practical sessions on YouTube, Instagram, TikTok, AI-assisted video production, and writing for digital platforms.
Putting people at the center of digital ministry
The OneVoice27 training emphasized the biblical principles of evangelism and Christian responsibility in digital spaces.
Mykola Shpylchuk, Ukrainian Union Conference Adventist Mission and Personal Ministries director, led sessions titled “Finding a Person of Peace” and “One Gospel, Different People.”
Participants examined biblical principles for building relationships and discussed how to apply them to online communication.
A central message throughout the training was that the effectiveness of digital evangelism should not be measured solely by views, likes, or comments. Establishing personal connections and creating opportunities for continued communication were presented as more meaningful indicators of ministry impact.
“Behind every view, like, and comment, we must see a person with whom we should be ready to engage, warmly welcome, and lead to Christ,” one participant said.
Turning training into practical ministry
Participants shared their personal experiences in media ministries, discussed opportunities to use digital platforms more effectively, and received recommendations from speakers on developing their own initiatives and projects.
Organizers emphasized that effective digital ministry does not always require a professional studio or expensive equipment. Modern technologies enable even small congregations to produce their own content and connect with audiences far beyond the walls of their church buildings.
The original article was published on the Ukrainian Union Conference news site.
