In a historic effort to advance digital evangelism among communicators, the Central Jamaica Conference (CJC) of Seventh-day Adventists hosted a three-day Communication Workshop and Symposium in collaboration with the East Jamaica Conference (EJC), titled TECHSMART, from May 23–25, 2025, at Camp Verley, under the theme “Equipping Today’s Communicators for Digital Mission.”
The event brought together over 250 communication professionals, ministry leaders, students, and aspiring digital missionaries for practical training, theological grounding, and ethical guidance in multimedia content creation for ministry.
According to Kimarley Walker Medley, Director of Communication, CJC, this training signals the beginning of a new era in the Church’s communication strategy—one where faith, innovation, and certification converge to prepare a new generation for the digital harvest.
“A landmark feature of the conference was the newly launched partnership between CJC and the HEART/NSTA Trust, which will certify participants who successfully complete training and assessment,” she said.
She also highlighted that this move signals a formal recognition of digital ministry as a viable career path and provides participants with nationally recognized credentials in media production.
“This is a major milestone. Through this partnership, we are not only training creative disciples, but also empowering them with tangible qualifications that open doors in the media industry,” she concluded.
Pastor Nevail Barrett, President of Central Jamaica Conference, described the TECHSMART initiative as “a divine response to a digital age,” and commended the Communication Department for its leadership.
“The Church must be intentional about how it engages the modern world. Digital missionaries are the new frontline workers in spreading the everlasting gospel,” Barrett said. “I commend Director Medley and her entire team for the vision, planning, and execution of this groundbreaking event.”
Phillip Castell, Communication Director, EJC, affirmed the power of collaboration and its potential to transform communication ministries across the island.
“TECHSMART shows what can happen when conferences unite with a shared vision,” Castell said. “We’re equipping a new generation to use technology to spread the gospel with purpose and professionalism. The level of energy, interest, and engagement we saw this weekend confirms that the Church is ready for this kind of training.”
The conference began on Friday with sessions covering the fundamentals of film-making, cinematography, event planning, and storytelling for faith-based media. Renowned media professionals including Dr. Dwayne Cheddar, Adiese Jonas-Murphy, and Patricia Grant led intensive workshops focused on technical skills and content development.
Cheddar, who serves as Director of the Oakwood University Broadcast Network, delivered immersive training in camera operations, lighting, sound design, and visual storytelling.
“Media is not just art. It's a ministry. Our goal is to teach you how to tell God’s story with excellence,” he told participants.
Jonas-Murphy, a media consultant and author, stressed the importance of authenticity and impact in digital content creation.
“We must meet people where they are — online — and present faith in a way that is relevant, engaging, and transformational,” she said.
Friday’s evening session was highlighted by a keynote from Senator Dr. Floyd Morris, who addressed the topic of inclusive communication, reminding the audience of the Church’s responsibility to ensure digital content reaches and respects all audiences, including those with disabilities.
On Sabbath, the conference pivoted to explore the theological and ethical foundations of digital evangelism, led by Pastor Damian Chambers, Associate Professor at Northern Caribbean University (NCU). In his sermon, “The Great Commission in the Digital Age,” Chambers emphasized the need for the Church to embrace technology as a tool for fulfilling its mission.
“We are living in a time when digital platforms have become the marketplace of ideas,” Chambers said. “If we are serious about evangelism, then we must be just as serious about mastering the tools of our time to spread the message of Christ.”
The afternoon featured a compelling panel discussion titled “Faith in Media: Upholding Integrity and Excellence in a Competitive Industry,” moderated by Jonas-Murphy. Panellists — including Dwayne Cheddar, Vanessa Clarke-Austin, Nigel Coke, and Andrea Chisholm-Anglin — shared personal experiences of navigating ethical challenges and maintaining faith in the secular media landscape.
Topics included handling workplace pressure, staying spiritually grounded, managing criticism, and producing high-quality faith-based content with limited resources.
Nigel Coke, Communication Director for the Jamaica Union Conference, emphasized the strategic significance of the event:
“The TECHSMART initiative is timely and transformative,” Coke said. “If we are to remain relevant and effective in today’s media-driven society, we must equip our communicators not just with skills, but with a vision rooted in mission and message.”
As part of the conference’s outreach and investment in the next generation of
communicators, four scholarships were awarded to needy students currently enrolled in the Faculty of Communication Studies (DCS) at Northern Caribbean University (NCU). The recipients were selected based on financial need and commitment to ministry.
“Receiving this scholarship means the world to me,” said Caleeb Hyman, a student in the Faculty of Communication Studies at NCU. “It’s not just financial support — it’s a reminder that the Church believes in young people like me who want to use the media to make a
difference for God. I’m more motivated than ever to pursue excellence in both ministry and media.”
Sunday’s sessions provided specialized training in low-budget media production, live streaming strategies, video editing, photography, and visual effects. Breakout facilitators included Jason Sawyers of SportsMax, Yorkali Walters of Walters Weddings, and Wentworth Kelly of Ikon Media Jamaica. The final plenary, led by Dr. Omar Oliphant, tackled media ethics and legal considerations, including copyright, fair use, and transparency in faith-
based media.
Walker Medley stated that the three-day event was about training digital missionaries for the kingdom.
“Higher than the highest human thoughts can reach is God’s ideal for His children,” she quoted. “We are training digital missionaries who will use their talents for the Kingdom. The world is waiting — and now we are ready to meet it with truth, creativity, and excellence.”
The next step for TECHSMART will include zonal tech camps across the conference, continued certification opportunities through HEART/NSTA Trust, and the development of an online learning guild to provide ongoing mentorship and skill development for digital evangelists.
TECHSmart 2025 was a dynamic experience that left participants better equipped, more
confident, and deeply inspired. It truly lived out its mission:TECHSmart: Unite – Innovate – Certify.
View daily pictorial highlights using any of the following links, Day 1 click here. Day 2 click here, Day 3 click here.