For the past four years, Seventh-day Adventist outreach specialists and Internet gurus have gathered at the Global Internet Evangelism Network (GIEN) Forum to amp up the world Adventist Church’s online presence and global connectedness, along with its relevance in an increasingly international, technology-driven society.

At least 100 people are expected to meet for the fifth annual GIEN Forum on the campus of Adventist-owned Newbold College in England from June 28 to July 1 under the theme: ‘Beyond Borders: Radical Method, Radical Message and Radical Christ.’

Initiated by the church’s Council on Evangelism and Witness, the Forum is meant to “stimulate creative thought and imaginative ways of communicating God’s message of eternal truth in new ways via the Internet,” says Pastor Mark Finley, a vice president of the world church and director of its Center for Global Evangelism.

Held for the first time in Europe, this year’s international Forum will address issues central to modern thinking, such as secularism, postmodernism and globalization. Attendees will also tackle the concept of spirituality and ethics in the Internet age, specifically whether traditional values still govern virtual relationships.

“The Forum is interested in exploring new thinking and new areas of interest in making the mission, message and resources of the church involved with the challenges of this new and exciting realm of online civilization,” says Rajmund Dabrowski, communication director for the world church.

Dabrowski believes Europe will provide the ideal context for exploring how best to couple technology and outreach to connect with the secular and postmodern mind. “This will require stepping out and finding new methods to captivate today’s generation.”

For more information, a presentation schedule, list of speakers or to register for this year’s GIEN Forum, visit:

http://gien.adventist.org/forum2007/index.html