Three hundred twenty-five content creators, Communication directors, Personal Ministries leaders, and church members from the Southern Africa-Indian Ocean Division (SID) gathered in Malawi October 5–7 to learn how to share the gospel online as part of the OneVoice27 initiative.

The meetings were organized by SID's Personal Ministries, Communication, and Information Technology departments, a collaboration that highlighted the skills necessary to move the gospel online.

Harrington Akombwa, SID president, addressed the delegates via video link to applaud the departments collaboration and deliver a devotional about finding joy in service based on Psalm 68.

“When the Lord rises to take control, He initiates means,” Akombwa said. “We should attract the attention of people and direct them to Jesus.”

Honorable Dr. Jean Mathanga, Malawi's Minister of Energy, welcomed delegates to the country. As an Adventist herself, Dr. Mathanga said she was pleased to see the church evangelizing on digital platforms, but cautioned that well-done content means nothing without spiritual transformation.

“The message that has not changed the messenger is not worth sharing,” she said. “Prayer is the key to all things new.”

Zanele Zama, SID Media marketing manager and Adventist World Radio (AWR) programming manager, led attendees through Adventist Inbox—the official companion app for AWR—and digital advertising. Her presentation focused on how to generate interest on social media platforms and direct users to a local church.

Dr. Dennis Matekenya, SID Personal Ministries director, highlighted the five Es of evangelism—Evangelism rooted in Revival, Evangelism through Education/Training, Evangelism through Engagement/Community Outreach, Evangelism through Public Proclamation, and Evangelism through Encouragement/Nurturing—describing attendees as the engine of the OneVoice27 campaign across SID.

Dr. Pako Mokgwane, SID Communication director, addressed integration and how the Communication, Personal Ministries, and Information Technology departments are working together on one campaign rather than three separate campaigns.

Michelo Mulambo, SID Information Technology director, discussed cybersecurity and the tools available for mission work. Otieno Mkandawire, SID technical assistant, followed up by introducing the General Conference All Things New—the public-facing initiative of OneVoice27—branding and discussed storytelling techniques.

John Matekenya Jr. addressed the ethics of AI use. He demonstrated how to collect data to build strategy around evidence rather than instinct. Kirk Nugget and Victor Bejota ended the seminar by discussing content creation and using resources already available to attendees.

Attendees expressed plans to utilize what they learned.

“Absolutely fantastic training and initiative from the Division,” said Esther Chantala Mungalaba from Zambia.

She continued, “The range of material shared here and the conversations we’ve started are exactly what was needed to light the fire required to move this great work forward. I can’t wait to go back home and talk my pastors’ ears off with all the ideas for our OneVoice27 digital strategy."

Sonkie Leymanni from Malawi said, “The training has effectively helped me personally, and it will benefit the mission."

“I have understood how the Communication department should work with the Personal Ministries department, as well as the relationship between the two departments," she finished.

The original article was published on the Southern Africa-Indian Ocean Division news site.