“But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect…” (1 Peter 3:15 NIV).
As Christians, what are we here to do, if not to “give the reason for the hope that [we] have”? “Evangelism,” or sharing the good news of Christ’s gospel, has been an integral part of our mission as Seventh-day Adventists since before we were an organized Church. Of course, in the beginning, the spread of the good news was limited to word of mouth, preaching, and/or print. As new media were introduced, we expanded our reach through radio, television, video, and now the internet.
The 2023 Global Adventist Pastors’ Study asked Adventist pastors about their opinions on the effectiveness of various types of media for evangelism. The one considered the most effective globally was the internet, at 82%, while the fewest pastors considered print and radio very effective media, both at 67%.
Effective Medium for Evangelism
| Medium | Very Effective | Quite Effective | = Very + Quite Effective |
| 34% | 33% | 67% | |
| Video | 36% | 41% | 77% |
| Radio | 33% | 34% | 67% |
| TV | 39% | 35% | 74% |
| Internet | 49% | 33% | 82% |
| Facebook & Twitter | 37% | 32% | 69% |
Effectiveness of Print
The areas of the Church that found printed materials the most effective included all three of the African Divisions, as well as the South American and Inter-American Divisions. The areas that found them the least effective were the two European Divisions, the North American Division, and the South Pacific Division.
Effectiveness of TV
These results were similar with regard to video and radio evangelism, although for television evangelism, the percentages of “not effective” were slightly higher in the African Divisions.
Effectiveness of the Internet
The only Divisions showing a noticeable level of negative views toward using the internet for evangelism were the Euro-Asia Division and the North American Division. A similar pattern appeared with Facebook and Twitter: negative responses were higher in both European Divisions, the North American Division, and the South Pacific Division—with the Euro-Asia and North American Divisions standing out the most.
In a fast-paced world, where methods of communication are updated virtually overnight, we need both to seize new opportunities and to remember that the means are not the end. As Ellen White reminded us, “We are bidden to go forth as Christ’s messengers, to teach, instruct, and persuade men and women, to urge upon their attention the word of life. And to us also the assurance of Christ’s abiding presence is given. Whatever the difficulties which we may have to contend with, and whatever the trials we may have to endure, the gracious promise is always ours, ‘Lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world’” (Manuscript 24, 1903). The spread of the message that “Lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world” is always the goal.
You can access the full report here.
Created in collaboration with the Institute of Church Ministry.
Published by ASTR on 12/30/2025.