Creator Summit Equips Digital Missionaries

The Seventh-day Adventist Church's World Headquarters in Silver Spring, Maryland, recently hosted its inaugural OneVoice27 Creator Summit, bringing together almost 200 content creators, influencers, designers, social media managers and communication leaders from around the world. Representing all 13 world divisions and the General Conference's attached mission fields, the gathering highlighted the growing importance of digital ministry in sharing the gospel.

The South Pacific Division was represented by 12 OneVoice27 creators from the Trans Pacific Union Mission, Papua New Guinea Union Mission, New Zealand Pacific Union Conference and the Australian Union Conference. Together with creators from across the globe, they collaborated, shared ideas and explored new ways to reach people for Christ through today's digital platforms.

General Conference president Pastor Erton Köhler explained that hosting the Summit at the Church's world headquarters was intentional. Despite the travel and visa challenges faced by many delegates, the venue sent a clear message that digital creators are valued partners in the Church's global mission.

"You belong here," Pastor Köhler told participants. "Your experience, your creativity and your passion are needed as we continue finding new ways to share the everlasting gospel."

Throughout the Summit, speakers challenged attendees to see themselves not simply as content creators, but as digital missionaries called to make disciples in an increasingly connected world.

Australian creator Jono Gin, from Reedy Creek Seventh-day Adventist Church on Queensland's Gold Coast, shared how authentic storytelling has enabled his violin performances to reach audiences of up to 17 million people online.

"The secular world is longing for a people who live as if creation is sacred, rest is possible, bodies matter, community is healing, and Jesus is coming again," he said.

For Rikka, representing the New Zealand Pacific Union Conference, one of the greatest blessings was connecting with creators from around the world while learning practical ways to engage people in meaningful conversations about faith. Her online ministry frequently explores topics such as identity, value and self-worth with people in her Auckland community.

One of the Summit's recurring messages was that creators must never measure their worth by followers, views or online engagement.

"Your value doesn't come from what you do," Rikka reflected. "It comes from the One who made you."

TED Talk-style presentations encouraged participants to remain authentic, resist the pressure to chase algorithms and instead become "digital pastors" who genuinely care for the people behind every screen.

Among the keynote speakers, Manuel Arteaga, director of the Centre for Urban Mission, challenged attendees to rethink traditional approaches to evangelism.

"The world is changing faster than our methods," he said. "Our methods remain rural, while the world is becoming increasingly urban."

He added, "We're slowly becoming missionaries to yesterday."

His challenge reminded participants that digital ministry is not about technology for technology's sake—it is about intentionally meeting people where they are and sharing the hope of Jesus one story, one conversation and one post at a time.

La'Tanya Wong, a young dietitian from Fiji, has always had a passion for creating. Now she believes God is using that passion for a greater purpose. Following the OneVoice27 Creator Summit, she said that, for the first time in her life, she feels commissioned to serve as a digital evangelist—using her creativity to share the hope of Jesus with people online.

Morning worships reinforced this calling. Kirk Campbell, from the Inter-American Division, reflected on Moses' call in Exodus 3 and 4, reminding creators that when God calls someone into ministry—even online—the appropriate response is faith rather than excuses.

The Summit also marked the beginning of OneVoice27, a global digital evangelism initiative that seeks to unite Seventh-day Adventists in proclaiming Jesus across every digital platform. Participants contributed ideas that will help shape this worldwide movement while reflecting the unique needs of their own cultures and mission fields.

General Conference Communication director Alyssa Truman concluded one session with the promise of Acts 1:8: "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses."

Her message was a timely reminder that digital mission is not powered by human creativity alone. God calls His people, equips them through the Holy Spirit and empowers them to accomplish what would otherwise be impossible. Every believer has the opportunity to become a witness for Christ in the digital space.

As the Creator Summit concluded, participants returned home inspired and united by a shared conviction: every post, every video and every conversation can become an opportunity to introduce someone to Jesus. In a world connected by screens, the mission field has never been more accessible, and together, as OneVoice, God's people can proclaim the everlasting gospel to the ends of the earth.