wfn.org | Adventist Church Targets Use of High Tech in Inter-America

["Christian B. Schäffler" <APD_Info_Schweiz@compuserve.com>]

December 23, 1998
Adventist Press Service (APD)
Christian B. Schaeffler, Editor-in-chief
Fax +41-61-261 61 18
APD@stanet.ch
CH-4003 Basel, Switzerland

Adventist Church Targets Use of High Tech to Fulfil Mission in 
Inter-America
[98/36/05]

Miami, Florida, USA    [ANN/APD] Seventh-day Adventists in 
the countries of Inter-America are rapidly developing high-
tech solutions to the challenge of fulfilling the Church's 
mission.

"We are in the process of greatly expanding the way we use 
the Internet," says Leslie McMillan, communication director for 
the Adventist Church's Inter-America Division based in Miami, 
Florida.

"Our clear intention was to make sure Internet access is 
available to Church workers. That process is now virtually 
complete. As a Church organisation we recognise the 
advantages of electronic communication."

The plan is to develop the inter-connectivity so that both 
ministers and members can easily access information from the 
Church.

"We see our role not as gate-keepers of information, but of 
suppliers to all who want to know," comments McMillan. "Our 
website now includes the latest news and information which is 
accessible to all to visit."

The Church's involvement in the use of such electronic 
technology has been very intentional, reports Jose Romero, 
computer systems engineer.

"My role is to use available technology to make it happen," 
says Romero. I believe the Church should be looking to do 
more on the Internet to organise the Church's presence more 
intentionally. Already we have more connectivity, but this can 
be developed, particularly in the form of an Intranet to 
provide resource materials online."

The territory covered by the Division includes 32 countries 
with a combined Adventist membership of 1.8 million.