The Communication & Media Area Training Day for Area 8 took place on 20th October 2024 at the Clacton-on-Sea Seventh-day Adventist Church Plant, drawing local church communication and media teams ready to enhance their skills. Organised by the South England Conference Communication and Media Department, the event offered a more focused, interactive experience—ideal for those who couldn't attend the large-scale flagship events. It was an opportunity for Area 8 teams to gain valuable insights and practical tools to boost their communication strategies and expand their digital presence, helping them connect with their communities in more impactful ways.
The day began with a prayer led by Area 8 Coordinator, Pastor Robin Lewis, setting a spiritual tone for the workshops to follow.
Dr Sorin Petrof led the first session on Digital Evangelism, providing strategies for using social media and digital platforms to reach wider audiences and share the gospel more effectively. He not only offered strategic insights but also emphasised the importance of intentional digital evangelism, encouraging churches to actively engage in creating purposeful online content that aligns with their mission and fosters deeper connections with both their local communities and a wider, global audience.
Following that, Don Roberts delivered a workshop on Website Management, and introducing participants to the new Zafir website platform, which will soon be available to local churches for approximately £17 annually. He emphasised the importance of creating a purposeful church website that serves as both a ministry tool and a community hub. His session prompted numerous questions from attendees eager to explore the platform’s features.
The final session was a joint workshop on Audio and Video Production for worship services, led by Andraé Johnson and Stefan Stanciu. Johnson, a sound specialist, covered proper audio mixing techniques, adjusting microphones, balancing sound levels, and fine-tuning sound systems to ensure clarity during both in-person and online services. Stanciu focused on video production, addressing camera placement, lighting, and streaming software setup, offering practical advice for achieving professional-quality video that aligns with the church’s mission.
Both Johnson and Stanciu fielded many technical questions, addressing issues like sound feedback, audio distortion, and video clarity challenges during streaming.
The training day received overwhelmingly positive feedback. Attendees appreciated the engaging, expert-led sessions, with one remarking, "The hands-on approach and practical advice were invaluable. The knowledge we gained today will significantly enhance our worship and digital outreach."
The next Area Communication and Media Training Day will return to Area 8, this time at Cambridge Church, on 10th November, 2024.