On the power of film in rural communities in Asia
Here is an interview I did in Manila about my experience with using Steve Cadd’s movie, “Snatched from the Darkness” in an occult center in a remote region of the Philippines. Media is even more powerful in rural areas than in the media saturated urban world.
Engage Camp 3.0
Youth camps are effective strategies for connecting with young people. In Thailand it is becoming a major part of our strategy, but with a twist. We still have the crazy games and fun atmosphere and there are some serious times in the word and in worship and seeking the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, but in the place of the traditional sports and games we do training in media production. The rooms buzz with excitement! They are creating and this engages their minds and hearts so much more than asking them to sit and listen to someone talking.
This year the LCC Filipino missionary team along with team member Tam Houston from Australia did another amazing job at recruiting both students and amazingly qualified instructors from Thailand and the Philippines. Congrats to all who worked so hard to make this an amazing camp! And a special thanks to those who did not get to see these results first hand, but sacrificed at work to earn the money to send to help sponsor this fruitful outreach! God saw what you did and He will bless you for it.
Engage 3.0 Grads
The Edge Radio
One of the most enjoyable journeys of my life has been the establishment of the Edge Radio, an FM music network in the Philippines. I had no history in radio (I had been a senior pastor and college president/professor for 20 years), but whenever I would listen to destructive messages in music I would always think, “Oh, I wish I could get in on that conversation.” Kids were listening and the messengers sounded so “together” but the direction they were suggesting for young lives would surely lead them to pain and perdition. As a pastor I had dealt with the mess of broken lives on a weekly basis. I really began to develop a burden that God’s calling to this generation could be echoed through modern media with an acceptable style. One thing led to another and the Edge was born. The most important ingredient was the gathering of the team. Ron Titular was my first partner. He became the co-founder and planted the Manila station. Then Jim Reyes (pictured) who left his job at another radio ministry because he too had a vision for contemporary Christian music. He founded the Davao station. Then came Raymond Gonzales who founded Lucena, then finally Tom Arellano, who took over Davao after Jim left for the USA. Millions each day can tune in to the Edge for Christian music and teaching. Each of these men has a wife equally dedicated to the ministry. We are also blessed with Love Benevides and Owie Burns along with a host of volunteers. These are amazing media missionaries. Together we are still on a great adventure.
“Oh, I get by with a little help from my friends…”
This is Gary Hoogvliet. A true friend to me. He helped me realize my dream of creating radio content. I am a teacher by calling and gifting and I am a media missionary as well. I have so far spent most of my media energy establishing a radio network for the Philippines to air other people’s content. Now it is time for me to begin producing. Gary has been urging me to do so for some time and has been an active coach. He has so many years experience that his feedback is really priceless. This shot is from the final recording session in England where we laid down 25 recordings of The Quest Online, one minute spots highlighting a single teaching of Jesus and giving a concrete way to respond in obedience. For a first effort I felt pretty good about it. If you would like to hear the spots you can visit this link.
