TRAINING MEDIA MISSIONARIES TO RESOURCE THE DIGITAL CHURCH
ASIA PACIFIC MEDIA
2021 ANNUAL UPDATE
HIS MESSAGE, MULTIPLIED
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THE YEAR OF
DIGITAL CHURCH
PLANTING THEY WERE READY BECAUSE OF YOU!
WWW.APMEDIA.ORG
Vision Statement We see Christ followers effectively utilizing media to reach every people group in Asia. EXECUTIVE EDITOR Bill Snider MANAGING EDITOR/DESIGN Amber Weigand-Buckley COPY & LAYOUT EDITOR Tom Young EDITORIAL SECRETARY Annette Santos WEB MANAGER Patrick Tan APMedia was established in 1989 as a regional ministry of Assemblies of God World Missions.
[2.] MISSION | APMEDIA.ORG
Mission Statement We advance the gospel in Asia Pacific by empowering Christ followers to effectively utilize media and technology. Values Statement We are a Christ-centered ministry that values: • Integrity • Excellence • Contextual relevance • Innovation • Partnerships and teamwork
BILL & KIM SNIDER ASIA PACIFIC MEDIA DIRECTORS
LETTER FROM BILL
WHEN THE CHURCH GOES DIGITAL “I become all things to all men so that by all means some will be saved” (1 Corinthians 9:22, NIV) The mission of APMedia has been evident since its inception in 1989, but it took a pandemic to reinforce its relevance. Churches have felt the urgency push them to get online. In fact, many churches in Asia Pacific and across the world would be closed now if it weren’t for the power of media that kept them connected with their congregations. APMedia’s effort to train media workers to utilize digital media for evangelism has opened the Church’s doors in Southeast Asia to reach those who have never heard the gospel before. In addition, it has transformed the landscape of the mission field. As I have visited churches in the US, I’ve shared our training efforts for the churches in Asia Pacific. In the media-saturated world of the US, I’ve been personally surprised to see more and more American pastors see the need for this kind of training for themselves! During the pandemic, I’ve had the privilege of sharing the training and knowledge provided by APMedia to many church leaders and friends across the US via Zoom. Technology has opened the Church’s door very wide in the age of quarantine to multiply His Message to the ends of the earth. That’s the power of media! We are His Message, Multiplied — going further in a time of lockdown and beyond! 2021 Annual Report [3.]
THE CHURCH IS NOT
LOCKED DOWN [4.] MISSION | apmedia.org
REY CALUSAY—PHILIPPINES
A few months into the “State of Public Health Emergency,” I quickly saw the impact of the pandemic and how our pastors and their congregations were coping with not being able to meet in person. The truth is, we did not prepare our churches for the lockdown. To comply with the government orders on COVID-19, we temporarily suspended all religious gatherings starting March 15, 2020. As a result, thousands of Assemblies of God churches felt cut off from each other and unable to help. The government informed us at the start that the lockdown was temporary. Then the talk was it might continue for another twelve months or longer, maybe for two more years! The panic turned into despair. But our pastors were resolved to sustain the spiritual health of God’s people and to continue the preaching of the Word. The church gatherings could continue in the scattered homes of believers, and their pastors could livestream the preaching through the internet. That was the start. The pandemic cannot silence the church! Where there’s connectivity and simple media gadgets, the church continues to minister live. Thank God for tutorials from APMM and the millennials in our churches. The pastors have been able to create quality videos that widen their reach. On any given weekend, Friday night through Sunday, the extensive social media networks are filled with uploaded preaching and church services. Prayer meetings were also happening through the internet. The quarantine restrictions continue, but the essentials — like worship, praying, preaching, mentoring — continue to serve God’s purposes throughout this lockdown. The pandemic cannot kill our motivation nor silence God’s voice. 2021 Annual Report [5.]
BECOMING THE CHURCH
WITHOUT WALLS
[6.] MISSION | APMEDIA.ORG
In February 2020, church gatherings suspended in Hong Kong. Elderly church members who had never missed a Sunday worship in their lives were devastated, torn between their devotion to God and their obligation to others. Opportunely, in 2019, we had started video recording our worship services. Our church had equipment to do online services. Our pastors, though, were not used to speaking in front of a camera and without a live audience. So, with a few untrained staff and volunteers, we uploaded our Sunday service to YouTube. A few days before Sunday, we sent the link through WhatsApp to our small group network. On Sunday, we monitored the number of viewers closely. Our audience, which started with 150 viewers, grew to over 1,800 by the end of the day. Almost simultaneously, our AWANA children’s church began producing videos for different age groups. Soon, our Youth Action Group (YAG) started their worship service via Zoom. Ultimately, we had our Evangelism Sunday and our Holy Week devotion series online. We even produced a six-session Marriage Spirituality series. We were determined to stay connected to God’s people. Jesus said, “I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it” (Matthew 16:18 NIV). In February 2021, eleven people from our church attended the Asia Pacific Media Creative Video Production Training, an intensive 10-day training on video/audio production and social media. It was an eyeopener for our church participants. During our debriefing, it became evident that what impressed them most were the issues concerning how to connect to their audience, what message they needed to send, and what they wanted viewers to do after they heard the message. The people of Hong Kong have long thought hard work and affluence would give them happiness. They need the peace and hope in Christ. It is the goal of our church to use media to reach the people of our city to make Him known. 2021 Annual Report [7.]
HIS MESSAGE, MULTIPLIED
IN JAPAN
[8.] MISSION | APMEDIA.ORG
JONATHAN LOWRANCE—JAPAN
As I pulled up to the Japanese church, I wasn’t sure what to expect. I only knew they had launched their media ministry shortly before COVID-19 hit the world. Pastor Yoshi eagerly awaited me in the parking lot. After a lot of polite bowing, we sat down to talk. I quickly realized that this church was bursting with creative vision for using media in reaching their community. They didn’t have a wealth of expensive equipment or a professional team with years of experience. No, they had cobbled together equipment lying around the church and some secondhand cameras bought from friends to accomplish what God had put into their hearts. I could sense their excitement as we talked about their needs and exchanged ideas on how to improve everything. From livestreaming and Christian education to social media content, Pastor Yoshi was ambitious, and I loved it. As we put together a plan to grow this budding media ministry, I feel the urgency to expand ourreach. So many here have ambitious hearts to creatively share Jesus with those who have not heard. We’re privileged to help open up new possibilities for them to do just that. The leadership in the Japan Assemblies of God has approved a three-pronged effort to empower local churches to do media.It will begin in July with a nationwide online Zoom meeting for all pastors in the AG, followed in September by an initial training for church workers. The final prong will be February 2022, when we will do an on-site in-person Asia Institute for Media in Ministry specifically for Japan. It’s an exciting day, and the Church sees the need for media and asking APMedia to help. This is everything we’ve been working toward, and you are an integral part inhelping it come to pass. 2021 Annual Report [9.]
[10.] MISSION | APMEDIA.ORG
A NATION IN CRISIS
On February 1, a coup occurred in Myanmar in which the nation’s military took control of the government and declared a year-long state of emergency. This crisis happens at a time when the Church had been given more freedom. Asia Pacific Media has worked closely with our team and the Assemblies of God in Myanmar to build a media studio and train media workers and church leaders. Then APMedia worked with them to create new church resources, including a new discipleship series. As the country is currently experiencing civil unrest, it’s more important than ever to pray for the safety of our brothers and sisters in this nation. One media worker shared: The situation in this country is getting worse. Some parts of Myanmar are caught in the middle of a war between the military coup and the indigenous armies. Now I’m moving my family to a new place and setting up a way to produce more messages of hope. But, unfortunately, most of the internet companies are closed. So it’s very costly and hard to upload new videos. I will, however, continue to do what I can.. • Pray for believers and the Church. They are in need of the Lord’s help. • Pray for our Myanmar-based media team as well as our many digital missionaries. Pray for their safety as they watch the situation closely and respond with messages of hope. • Pray over the many families and orphans in Myanmar. They face a real risk of danger amid civil turmoil. • Pray for peace and freedom for the people of Myanmar. Pray for an end to the coup so that no more lives would be lost and that life would be restored. • Pray that God would use this disruptin to share the Good News. UPDATE: In early May, our team was able to get fiber optics into their office. and begin putting up new content, short testimonies, and Scripture verses. In the last month the number of followers has increased by 30 percent. Although the internet is monitored and, to some degree, limited, this is an important time for Media for Hope to be there offering the people God’s comfort and strength in these turbulent times. 2021 Annual Report [11.]
SHINING HOPE THROUGH THE PANDEMIC [12.] MISSION | APMEDIA.ORG
RESOURCING THE DIGITAL CHURCH
One of the ways Asia Pacific Media helped churches deal with the unique issues of COVID-19 was to produce videos to better support individuals dealing with the day-to-day implications of the pandemic. Even with the Philippines in lockdown, our media team worked tirelessly from home to do film shorts and organize resources to support the Digital Church and reach those experiencing crisis. Asia Pacific Media is continuing to produce resources to help the Digital Church address mental health issues, family life, and the additional stress that COVID-19 has put on families across Southeast Asia. Mental Health & The Pandemic Our APMedia Series, like this one on Pandemic and Mental Health, is needed more than EVER BEFORE! The three-episode series featured mental health professionals discussing anxiety, depression, healthy thinking patterns, relationships, balancing work and family during the pandemic, and more. Usapang Pamilya “Let’s Talk” Series The Message of Hope is powerful when it’s multiplied by media. And it’s being carried in the most straightforward ways by our Usapang Pamilya (Let’s Talk) series. One film short shares a prayer of hope that points those who have suffered significant loss during the COVID-19 crisis to the God who is in control of it all. Digitracts One of our Digitracts on the COVID-19 vaccine not only discusses current events, but ties in biblical truth that Jesus brings the promise of eternal life. Your support of APMedia helps us create these resources that are equipping the Church to support Asia Pacific people. 2021 Annual Report [13.]
P R AY F OR
apmedia AS WE EQUIP MEDIA MISSIONARIES & RESOURCE THE DIGITAL CHURCH
AS WE EQUIP MEDIA MISSIONARIES & RESOURCE THE DIGITAL CHURCH
PRAISE REPORTS 1) For over 1,600 workers and leaders who have received training in our Media and Ministry Forums in the last year. 2) For over 200 workers who attended AIMM online in February 2021. 3) For the trust we have from Asian leaders to partner with them in ministry. 4) For tens of thousands of Asians who have seen APMedia evangelistic messages online in the past months.
PRAYER REQUESTS 1) For wisdom and favor as our team works with leaders and pastors in Vietnam and Japan in the coming months. 2) For His help in finding other gifted workers who can join the APMedia team in SE Asia. 3) For pastors and leaders to adapt to the new normal and empower the next generation in digital ministry. [14.] MISSION | apmedia.org
HIS MESSAGE, MULTIPLIED Through Asia Pacific Media’s digital ministry tools and training, we are expanding our reach into Indonesia, Cambodia, Bangladesh, Taiwan, Philippines, Japan, Myanmar, Vietnam and the South Pacific. Most of these resources can also be accessed in many nations of the world, including the Middle East and Europe.
SHORT FILMS
SOCIAL MEDIA
DIGITAL & PRINT PUBLICATION
RADIO & WEB BROADCASTING
VIDEO PRODUCTION
CHURCH MEDIA & DIGITAL MISSIONARY TRAINING
IN ASIA PACIFIC 2021 Annual Report [15.]
THE ERA OF THE DIGITAL
EVANGELIST [16.] MISSION | apmedia.org
A few years ago, I presented the power of online ministry to a group of pastors. One was skeptical. He said that it was impossible for a believer to lead someone to Christ through an online platform. Fast forward to today. We’re a year into the global pandemic, and I’ve seen church after church broadcast their worship services online. Truly, what the enemy has meant for evil, God has turned for good! As a digital specialist, I train church volunteers locally and abroad to use the smartphone and social media to reach the lost online. We call it digital evangelism. It is sharing the gospel online by leading individuals to engage with you in a spiritual conversation that leads to salvation. During these training sessions, the reaction at the start is the same — skeptical and even scared. Questions arise: “Is it really possible?” “What if I get rejected?” This kind of question reveals that many of us have not really considered our online life as a vital component of our Christian life. But with motivation and guidance, we see our students take one step at a time, engaging their friends online via chat. I remember one time I was teaching this session at the Asia Institute of Media for Ministry. By the end of the session, the class was able to engage a total of more than a thousand individuals online and lead several to Christ! Even after the session, students continued to converse with their contacts and share with them. The students responded with excitement and joy with the newfound discovery of the power of using technology to share the gospel online. It is not as intimidating as one might think. Remember these three steps: Pray. Care. Share. (Pray) Be intentional about becoming a digital missionary by specifically praying for individuals you engage with online. (Care) Then start engaging them and express genuine care by checking how they are. You may ask permission to share an encouraging graphic or video that has touched you personally. Or ask them how you could pray for them. (Share) As they open up about their life, turn the conversation to spiritual things by sharing a personal story of how Jesus changed your life. Invite them to welcome Jesus in their life. It takes intentionality and practice. The more you do it, the better you get. The world today is looking for answers online that only Jesus can provide. Let’s take this opportunity to win a friend to Christ and make disciples in the digital space. 2021 Annual Report [17.]
[18.] MISSION | APMEDIA.ORG
KEITH & DELSEY GARNER—PHILIPPINES
“Our livestream sound quality is not very good. How can we improve it?” This was one of many questions that we regularly received after the Philippines went into lockdown in March 2020. Initially, we responded to the lockdown by producing a tutorial video series that began with “How to Livestream a Church Service.” However, each time we received a question like this, we realized that was not enough. A video was simply too static. In addition, people encountered new technical questions every week as they were forced to do online ministry, many for the first time. We needed to address two main questions. First, how could we engage and respond to people’s questions? Second, how could we continue developing their technical skills? One solution was the formation of the “Media and Ministry Forum.” The Media and Ministry Forum is a Facebook group where people can ask their questions. An APMedia staff person or another group member will provide feedback in a timely fashion. Currently, the Media and Ministry Forum has over 1,600 members from all over Asia. We have two main ways that we continue developing technical skills. The first way is by posting relevant articles about trending technology topics that they can read. Another way is by hosting live webinars in the Forum. We provide two short webinars a month, each lasting 60-90 minutes, covering practical ministry and technology topics. Two recent webinar topics, for example, were “Designing a Church Logo” and “How to Start a Podcast.” Over 2,900 people watched these webinars, with hundreds of comments for each. In the last month alone, APMedia has helped continue the training of nearly 3,000 digital missionaries. As a result, questions are being answered, skill sets are growing, relationships are being formed, and the church is better off. Asia Pacific Media: His Message, Multiplied — TOGETHER! 2021 Annual Report [19.]
DIGITAL MISSIONARY SPOTLIGHT
“You know, there was a time when we didn’t do online ministry here at the church. This pandemic has forced us to go online.” —Chad
“Since the pandemic started, we were able to follow some tips from online streaming through APMedia. God has worked to open doors to establish and expand the ministry here in the Philippines, and we are opening two new churches because of online streaming.” —Evan
“I’ve been on the media team in our church for about four years, but I am only focusing on making PowerPoints for lyrics and preaching, and editing videos. AIMM training helped me gain that confidence in moving on to the wider phase of media.” —Ezra
[20.] MISSION | APMEDIA.ORG
“An emerging (and excellent) shift in perspective and practice is coming to our churches: that they see their Sunday service broadcast as a strategy to reach out to people for evangelism. The livestream is not limited to the members of the church.” —Ace
“I am a worship leader and at the same time the head of the young people in our church. We started our media ministry during this pandemic, but we still need a lot of help in this endeavor. God bless everyone!” — Eldee
“I learned a lot from AIMM training. The technical teachings have answered most of my questions in creating videos and photo shoots. Now I can program my camera correctly in the manual setting. Before, I set it to automatic every time.” —Nicole 2021 Annual Report [21.]
THE Y A R E R EAC H I N G
asia pacific BECAUS E OF Y OU! “Write down the revelation and make it plain on tablets so that a herald may run with it” (Habakkuk 2:2 NIV). For over 30 years, this has been the heartbeat of Asia Pacific Media. And now we know God has poised us to keep the harvest growing through a period of pandemic and lockdown. However, this need for training Digital Missionaries is not letting up post-COVID. We will be expanding into in-person opportunities in Japan and Vietnam this year and expanding our online training opportunities, including our online academy To take advantage of these open doors, we need to increase our 12-member Manila-based team. It costs approximately $90 to train one digital missionary, but every gift, no matter the size, IS MULTIPLIED! You can give a one-time donation or make a reoccurring partnership commitment at APMEDIA.ORG/GIVE. Together, the months and year ahead will be a season of growth. I value your partnership as we see His Message, Multiplied further than it has ever gone before. Thank you for being an essential part of what’s happening in Asia Pacific as you pray and through your support. They are ready because of YOU! [22.] MISSION | APMEDIA.ORG
2021 Annual Report [23.]
WWW.APMEDIA.ORG
HIS MESSAGE, MULTIPLIED
MISSION
ASIA PACIFIC MEDIA
TRAINING MEDIA MISSIONARIES TO RESOURCE THE DIGITAL CHURCH
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GENERAL COUNCIL OF THE ASSEMBLIES OF GOD
