Reaching People in the Digital Age: The Conversation Continues
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We live in a time where information is fingertip ready. Albeit there is the consideration of post-truth approaches by many media-savvy architects of news and content production. It is urgent that Kingdom citizens become more involved and adapt in the mandate to win souls for Christ.
Media is one of the seven mountains of societal influence identified by Bill Bright [founder of Campus Crusade for Christ]. Our local church now credits social media for having expanded the reach of the Gospel. The use of virtual platforms to deliver Sunday School, Vacation Bible School (VBS), Convert’s Class, Board meetings, even Baby Dedications for families in the diaspora heightens our understanding of Bill Bright’s pillars of influence. Our digital footprint now spans globally, not just locally.
Our conversation with FAOGW’s media team leaders continues herein with a view to the future, a view informed by many experiences of the past. Deacon Robert Lee, MD and Minister Anthony Foster responded insightfully to our searching questions.
What does the future of media ministry look like?
Robert Lee: I anticipate a huge evolution based on our own local church vision. I am looking at movies and international news and can now interpret how they have achieved quality, multiple shots, camera angles and reporters connecting from different locations. We did this by streaming a speaker live from Geneva, Switzerland to a local church in Industry, East Coast Demerara for a two-hour conference. We are using software such as Vmix [a Christian-based venture] and I see us getting one step closer to what the world considers the standard. I can now appreciate the dreams of some young men who migrated. Brother Dallas Forte focused on music with the dream of achieving a soundtrack in a movie. Brother Yaphet Jackman had his first HBO production and a light bulb came on in my head – our own local talent can indeed produce the best Kingdom content for the world to consume. The goal is to make the best production to take the Gospel where it may not be welcomed but is consumed because it has been packaged. God does not need help, but we have a role in taking the Gospel. My vision will always pursue the best that our knowledge and equipment can deliver with a boost from God!
Anthony Foster: Media ministry will always grow and develop since technology is rapidly evolving, by year, by week, and even by the day. The media team is constantly researching to stay relevant to the online audience. We are always moving forward and learning new things.
The potential is there to evolve into a larger team with dedicated expertise in live streaming, lyrics, lighting, audio mixing, camera angles, graphics, responding to social media posts, design of flyers, planning of media mobilisation campaigns and so much more. This is a wide space which also means more opportunities to co-opt our growing youth population in the fellowship, in a similar fashion to my own experience.
Is there an emerging role for Social Media Managers in Church?
Robert Lee: A resounding yes! In local churches, we mainly operate on a volunteer or part-time basis as most persons also hold professional jobs or manage businesses. We no longer have a dedicated Media Coordinator as in the past, but the time is ripe.
In terms of skills and software needed, we use Vmix for streaming software and invested in subscriptions to websites like Envato Elements and Adobe Suite to create graphics, logos and animations. Easy Worship is used for worship lyrics. All other skills were self-learned using trial and error as well as software video tutorials. We keep renewing our minds.
Anthony Foster: I serve as a dedicated Network Administrator for the Church Office, responsible for internet connectivity, video recording, social media and such. We need to understand our audience to tailor our evangelism programmes. A social media manager is essential as it goes beyond streaming. Such a role would help develop strategies for engaging with online audiences daily, responding to social media chats, reactions and questions, and keeping updated information on dates, times and content of upcoming programmes. There are also critical aspects such as analysing social media reach and impact that could allow churches to target different populations with different programmes by age, gender, and location considering our programmes reach all continents.
How has this ministry impacted your personal life?
Robert Lee: I got married in December 2019, and the pandemic started in March 2020. So, after only three months of marriage, I took the studio into the living room of our home [laughter]. It was not funny to my wife. This, followed by late nights, could make for difficult conversations, but our faith and understanding of the assignment helped us to navigate as a young couple. You cannot win souls if your house is messy. Anthony may share his experience, creating an avenue for Omega to come on board with her passion for design. In this way, our wives help us and minister alongside us.
Anthony Foster: I joined FAOGW in 2008 and went straight to the media team. I was fresh out of school, equipped with my computer skills and approached Pastor Celicia to serve. She assigned me to Choices recording before I graduated to manning the multi-media at Church. All this to say that the Media Ministry gave me an opening to stay passionate about the things of God through my gifting.
This period also taught me patience and to never give up. Patience is key because technology tends to fail you when you need it the most, even after detailed planning. Troubleshooting is a constant and can be frustrating, hence the need for patience and tenacity, as the equipment and software must run to support the ministering of the Word. I stop, breathe, pray then try to ventilate the issue to meet deadlines and quality. This mindset of not giving up also helped me woo Omega, who is now my wife. I thank God for the beautiful journey that allows me to celebrate both the media and my marriage, ministering alongside my wife, who serves in the Worship Team.
Digital Footprint of the Church
Virtual programmes have allowed our Media Team to collaborate with other local churches and their technical teams throughout Guyana. National Youth Ministries has been a platform for reaching out to other churches to share their expertise to enhance live streaming delivery in the body of Christ. We have had to encourage technical persons in other local churches who have been frustrated by the slow progress and buy-in of their leadership. Deacon Robert recalls coaching a close family friend from the Anglican Church who reached out to be coached on how to stream their services.
There are people who would never accept an invitation from a Christian friend to attend a church service or small group Bible study. However, that same person may click and watch a compelling video with a Christian message posted by the same friend on Facebook. Social media presents a massive opportunity to “Go tell the world of the good news of Jesus Christ.”
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