Game Changers Summit 2014 News Coverage

Summit Coverage on Social Media

The Game Changers Summit, held Sept. 3-5 in Nashville, Tenn., addressed how information and communications technology (ICT) can be used to help parts of the world left behind by the technological revolution.

Participants heard from globally-renowned leaders about how to solve problems in education, wellness, and community development by leveraging the world's growing access to cell towers, Internet and hardware.

Explore the stories below to learn more about the life-enhancing and life-saving potential of technology and how your congregation can become part of this innovative, technology-based mission.

News Coverage

Isaac Broune (left) and April Gonzaga-Mercado lead a panel discussion on using communications as aid as part of the Game Changers Summit at the Opryland Hotel in Nashville, Tenn. Photo by Mike DuBose, UMNS

Grab your cell phone in typhoon, flood, or war

When disaster strikes a community, cell phones and other communication aids can help with emergency response and recovery. Read More

 
Eric Youngren (right) and John Macdonald view a solar-powered light during the Innovation Fair at the Game Changers Summit at the Opryland Hotel in Nashville, Tenn. Photo by Mike DuBose, UMNS.

Text messaging can be lifesaving

Technology such as mass text messaging can be lifesaving.
Read more

 
The Rev. Betty Kazadi Musau of the Democratic Republic of Congo gives the sermon during opening worship at the Game Changers Summit at the Opryland Hotel in Nashville, Tenn. Photo by Mike DuBose, UMNS.

Leveraging information for development

Game Changers Summit draws people from nine countries to hear experts on how technology helps the social good." Read more

 

Meet the summit speakers


Like what you're reading? Support the ministry of UM News! Your support ensures the latest denominational news, dynamic stories and informative articles will continue to connect our global community. Make a tax-deductible donation at ResourceUMC.org/GiveUMCom.

Sign up for our newsletter!

Subscribe Now
Global Health
Jean Tshomba, coordinator of the United Methodist Committee on Relief’s Disaster Management Office in Eastern Congo, turns on the tap of a new rainwater cistern in Kibumba, Congo, as Dr. Damas Lushima (wearing a blue hat), team members and a young girl from the village look on. With funding from UMCOR, 24 rainwater collection tanks were installed to  provide vital access to safe drinking water in this remote village, which is devoid of surface water sources and weakened by recent population displacements. Photo by Jolie Shabani, UM News.

Church installs rainwater tanks in isolated Congolese village

More than 600 households now have access to clean water through a project funded by the United Methodist Committee on Relief.
Theology and Education
(From left) Francisco Tivane, the Rev. Filibus Bakari Auta, Ibada Hussaini, Fiston Lutuku Okito and Lebon Okito display their certificates following strategic communications training at Africa University in Mutare, Zimbabwe. The communicators say they will use their enhanced skills to guide their African communities through the challenges of conflict and epidemics. Photo courtesy of Africa University.

Communicators in Africa serve on front lines of crises

Trained in strategic communications by United Methodist Communications and Africa University, eight communicators share how they plan to use their new skills to serve communities facing conflict, disease and misinformation.
Theology and Education
Graduates of a new strategic communications program hold their certificates following a June 26 graduation ceremony at Africa University in Mutare, Zimbabwe. The group represented the first of two cohorts of United Methodist communicators trained to strengthen the church’s media network across the continent in the face of crises, epidemics and misinformation. The program is a partnership between Africa University and United Methodist Communications. Photo courtesy of Africa University.

Communications program strengthens storytelling in Africa

United Methodist communicators from all 14 of the church’s African episcopal areas received strategic communications training and certification through a partnership between Africa University and United Methodist Communications.

United Methodist Communications is an agency of The United Methodist Church

©2026 United Methodist Communications. All Rights Reserved