Using technology, innovation, business, and sustainability to fulfill God’s mission—this is one of the main proposals of Inovatech, an event that recently took place at Parana Adventist Academy (FAP) in Ivatuba, Parana, Brazil. The May 25-28 gathering brought together students, professors, technology experts, and church leaders in the areas of communication and administration to discuss ways creativity and the strategic use of technological tools can strengthen the preaching of the gospel.
Elmer Guzman, FAP academic director, highlighted the rationale of the event. “Right now, educational communities are listening to market leaders, innovators, and church entities on how to adopt new approaches in business, in professions,” he said. “Everyone is discussing how technology has caused disruption in different areas.” Against this background, institutions are looking for ways to train students to serve by combining technical excellence, innovative thinking, and commitment to mission.
Arthur Beal Paiva, a fourth-year student pursuing theology and teaching degrees, noted that the event drew people interested in artificial intelligence (AI). “AI is influencing students, teachers, nurses, psychologists, and pastors. Everyone needs to learn how to use it, because it will be essential for our careers and our spiritual life,” he said.
According to Paiva, Inovatech also reinforces that technical learning must be aligned with the spiritual mission. “Everything we learn here needs to move us for the sake of the gospel, to rescue people here in Brazil and around the world,” he said.
Lectures, Workshops, and Practical Experiences
The program included lectures and workshops on artificial intelligence, digital strategies, information technology, and innovation applied to the educational context, market, and mission. Experts conducted the activities and promoted discussions focused on current and future challenges and opportunities.
Among the topics highlighted was the impact of algorithms on the way people interact with digital media, and how this knowledge can be strategically applied to communicate faith and hope to specific audiences in a more intentional and effective way.
One of the highlights of the program was the Hackathon, a challenge in which students organized themselves into groups to develop technological solutions aimed at real demands from partner companies. The most promising proposals may be implemented and even remunerated by the organizations involved, organizers said.
Creativity and Courage for Mission
Sam Neves, associate Communication director of the General Conference, addressed attendees, encouraging participants to dream big and not fear risks when developing new tools for evangelism. “There is a value in having events like this for the content they broadcast, but this is not the greatest value. The greatest value comes when students sit there and feel free to dream. This is the permission that we need to constantly give our young people. They will make mistakes, but the fear of risk cannot prevent us from creating new things,” Neves said.
On the same note, Jorge Rampogna, Communication director for the South American Division, introduced several initiatives that combine technological innovation and missionary purpose. Among the highlighted projects are the Game 1844, an experience in the metaverse that rescues the context of the Great Disappointment; Advent City, the regional church’s official environment on Roblox; and evangelistic productions developed for the Feliz7Play platform.
Rampogna stressed that innovation in the Adventist context needs to be directly connected with the fulfillment of mission. He highlighted three points in relation to the event promoted by FAP: the active involvement of young university students, the institution’s investment in innovation, and the intentional preparation of professionals who will serve the church and society with purpose. “As a church, we do nothing that does not have a specific missional focus,” he said.
The original version of this story was posted on the South American Division Portuguese-language news site.