Adventist Church in the Caribbean Union Trains 525 Communicators During First Online Communication Seminar
More than 525 Seventh-day Adventist communicators across the church in the Caribbean Union participated in a special online communication seminar geared to support and unify their efforts to better maintain the branding of the Adventist church...
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Alyssa Truman, Associate Communication Director for the Adventist world church was the keynote speaker for the online event took place July 16, 2023. She emphasized that “the church must take steps so that the church will be knowable, likable and trustable.
More than 525 Seventh-day Adventist communicators across the church in the Caribbean Union participated in a special online communication seminar geared to support and unify their efforts to better maintain the branding of the Adventist church, support their online ministry and enrich the delivery of the message of hope across the territory. The communication Seminar was the first of its kind organized in the Caribbean Union, and took place Aug. 16, 2023
It came at a time when the church wants to ensure its administrators, pastors, communication leaders at all levels, young influencers and creative members throughout its ten fields are getting ready to enforce its strategic initiative for the quinquennium, said Pastor Royston Philbert, Communication Director for the church in the region.
“Our mission here today is about the church in the Caribbean union keeping its “doors open” so that information can flow back and forth without locks, barriers or boundaries. This is not about different levels in the church because we all do important work. This is about Adventists. When we look at all that is happening, our message needs to be sharper, and stronger, taking into account the time in which we are in and moving forward the message that Jesus is coming soon.”
Dr. Rohan Wellington, Director of Professional Services at North American Division of Seventh-day Adventists, Columbia, Maryland enlightened those in attendance about the church coming out of COVID. He indicated that we must “stop thinking that our standard is the way they should behave. It’s about engaging people and we must learn how to engage them.
Themed Protecting the Brand, the seminar sought to unify the communication system within the church, take advantage of digital resources and provide tools to communicators and leaders as well as strengthen the identity of the church in the region.
Keynote Speaker Alyssa Truman, associate communication director for the Adventist world church, emphasized that “the church must take steps so that the church will be knowable, likeable and trustable. This is not about the General Conference or the Inter American Division or the Caribbean Union. It is about the Adventist Church. The objective is helping others find us [as a church], then help them find Jesus.”
Pastor Hesketh Matthew, Personal Ministries Director for the church in the North Caribbean Conference challenged attendees “to become a critical resource in making pervasive the coming of the Lord. “Do it and do it well,” he said.
“People are slowly and reluctantly coming back into the physical space” said presenter Dr. Rohan Wellington. “People seem to love church so much more at home than at church. We have to move people from behind screens and engage them as digital disciples.” In his thought provoking and engaging presentation, he mused that we must “stop thinking that our standard is the way they should behave. It’s about engaging people and we must learn how to engage them.”
Abel Márquez, Communication Director for the church in Inter-America Division, challenged delegates not to limit themselves by only using one means of communication.
In one of several plenary sessions, Abel Márquez, communication director for the church in Inter-America, challenged delegates not to limit themselves by only using one means of communication, but also to understand the responsibility communicators have of being the means to share the message of salvation using all the available means including Artificial Intelligence (AI). “It’s an opportunity for the church” Márquez said.
The online seminar included half a dozen plenary presentation sessions taught by leaders from the Adventist world church, the North American Division, the Inter-American Division and the Central Jamaica Conference. Seminar topics included Global Identity Standards, Post-Covid Online, Church and Legal Issues, Artificial Intelligence, Expanded use of CANVA and Training for church technicians.
Hester Griffin from the Shiloh Adventist Church in St. Thomas, said “I enjoyed the Communications Seminar on Sunday. The presentations were all very informative. I was especially interested in Canva. The presentation on Sunday expanded greatly what can be done when properly utilized. There was so much information disseminated on Sunday. It was very beneficial.”
Dr. Mark Braithwaite, Communication director for the church in the South Leeward conference said “I believe it has gone a long way in assisting persons to understand the climate and changing dynamics of the times we are living in.”
Jennifer Gray Woods is currently Legal Counsel and Director of Public Affairs and Religious Liberty at the Lake Union Conference of Seventh-day Adventists. Her message is that we must do all in our power to distinguish ourselves and protect the church from the litigation.
The online communication congress had as its main objective to create urgency among the membership on collaborating together in the task of sharing hope, said Pastor Philbert. “We want when we are through that the influence of the church will be seen in what is displayed as representing Adventist. We want Graphic designers, church administrators, communication directors, youth leaders and church members to please follow the guidelines so that the symbols of the church displayed on letterheads, pulpits, church signs, banners and locations are representative of the church.
It is about moving in one direction, aligning with the Adventist World Church’s I Will Go mission initiative that allows us to keep the doors unlocked and working together as one body. It’s all about being one communication team, all willing to do our best for the Lord as we make connections of hope,” Philbert said.
Church leaders plan to continue training and work to create among leaders unwavering commitment to spreading the everlasting gospel and to push the boundaries of communication, technology, and media to empower the Adventist Church in its mission to reach every nation, tribe, tongue, and people in the Caribbean Union.