US social media influencer leads Digital Discipleship training in PNG

Port Moresby, PNG | Kym Piez

More than 500 people attended a digital discipleship training weekend on May 12–13 organised by the Seventhday Adventist Church in Papua New Guinea in partnership with Adventist Media.

The training was led by Colby Maier, a social media influencer and Seventh-day Adventist pastor from Portland, USA. He delivered a comprehensive twoday program, which was livestreamed throughout the country.

The event, hosted by Pacific Adventist University, was well received as Pastor Maier spoke about the advantages of using social media to share Bible promises and Jesus’ soon return. He emphasised the importance of “letting God guide as we use social media”, while warning the audience not to be caught up with the more addictive elements.

“We need to be aware [of these things] and, more importantly, know where we are heading to in the future, as far as the digital world is concerned,” said Central Papuan Conference youth director Pastor Matthew Walter. “Remember, little is much when God is in it,” he added.

This training weekend took place a week after a South Pacific-wide Digital Discipleship Conference was held in Australia, where the emphasis on digital evangelism was promoted as a new way to reach those who haven’t met Jesus. Trans Pacific Union Mission also held a similar event.

The Digital Discipleship Conference will be held annually and further digital training events are also planned for Papua New Guinea.