[2.] AP Media MISSION / apmedia.org
Letter from
Bill
BILL & KIM SNIDER ASIA PACIFIC MEDIA DIRECTORS
HOW CAN THEY HEAR? I remember my first visit to Fiji. After a church meeting, I stood outside my hotel looking at a small group of people gathered on a hill probably half a mile away. Then there were flames. It was a funeral pyre. A Hindu family was burning a corpse. Their hope: reincarnation to a better life. The picture on the left was taken at the Schwedagon Pagoda in Myanmar. It was a festival day, and the place was jammed with people. Then I saw this individual and realized it was likely she had never heard the good news, not once. Without hearing and understanding, she had no possibility of believing. Their hope: nirvana, which means nothingness. These scenes capture the reality of Paul’s words. People are lost and face eternity without God. People can’t believe if they haven’t heard, and they can’t hear unless someone tells them. Every week, our team is creatively involved in producing stories and messages that will capture the attention of those who haven’t heard. We realize that one small group can’t do it all. So, we adopted several years ago a simple ministry theme: HIS MESSAGE, MULTIPLIED. We produce, and we help others to do the same. It’s our passionate desire that people will hear, believe and call. God has given the Church an amazing open door. Video and social media cross barriers. We are seeing it happen across Southeast Asia. As you read the Fall 2018 Annual Update edition of MISSION magazine, would you join us in being the carrier of this good news to those who haven’t heard?
2018 - 2019 ANNUAL UPDATE [3.]
HIS MESSAGE, MULTIPLIED
FROM THE GROUND UP —David Lee, Myanmar Project Coordinator—
I was asked to come to Myanmar to help the Assemblies of God build a new television studio. That is not an easy task anywhere. In this case, I have to transform a concrete and glass structure with horrible acoustics (think of a gymnasium) into a world-class television production studio with professional acoustics. Building a studio in Myanmar is an exceptionally challenging task. Why? You will not find a Home Depot or Lowe’s in Myanmar. Plus, you will not find materials even close to what we would typically use to construct a studio. We were forced to think outside the [4.] AP Media MISSION / apmedia.org
box. After searching many shops across the large capital city of Yangon, we eventually found materials that will work. For sound insulation, for example, we will use a combination of thick foam mattress and sand to create a nearly sound-proof barrier. We have also identified a local contractor and skilled labor who will help us to construct this studio. This studio will take advantage of the open door we currently have. Ruled by a military government since the 1950s, Myanmar has been isolated from most of the world.
Although there is currently a degree of freedom here with a new government, Christians are being persecuted. More than 100,000 are being held in special holding camps. This studio will be a hub for the Assemblies of God to create content that will reach Christians, as well as Buddhists, Muslims, and other non-believers that are seeking answers to the troubling world they live in.
There are new opportunities to share the gospel in Myanmar using the internet and social media. The internet has only been available to the people since about 2014. Mobile telephones are now found throughout most of the population. Because they have been isolated from the world for so many years, the people are gorging themselves on mediated content, particularly on social media.
We are excited to work alongside the Assemblies of God in Myanmar to help them to develop a department of communication. Their staff will create media content that will be distributed across numerous media outlets, including social media, sharing the gospel with people in Myanmar and around the world. Because of your faithfulness, we are getting closer to our fundraising goals. We still need about
$12,000 to be able to complete the studio and purchase needed equipment. There has never been an opportunity like this to share the gospel in this predominately Buddhist nation. Thank you for partnering with us with your financial support and your prayers. Together, we will do all we can to share the message of Jesus with people here in Myanmar — SO ALL MAY HEAR. 2018 - 2019 ANNUAL UPDATE [5.]
TAKING IT
HOME Partners, I want to thank you for your investment in this year’s Asia Institute for Media in Ministry. It has truly resulted in His Message, Multiplied. Forty-four people were trained to produce culturally relevant media to engage the churches, communities and home countries that they serve. They are doing just that. They are spreading the gospel in their own churches and communities. And they are doing so much more. They are taking what they learned at AIMM and re-investing it in others. Meet Le Anne, Rocky and Korina and find out how they are using the training they received at AIMM for the glory of God. [6.] AP Media MISSION / apmedia.org
MEET MEDIA MISSIONARY
Le Anne
I have been able to be a part of some DigiTracts videos; my experience was amazing and unforgettable. I do not just enjoy producing films, but also seeing people be touched with those videos. By utilizing the talents of my church family, they helped me make these videos possible. With that, it make us more united and connected as a church and as a one big family.
MEET MEDIA MISSIONARY
MEET MEDIA MISSIONARY
With the training that I have received through AIMM, I am producing sermon and praise and worship videos which we post online for church members working in other countries who don’t have access to church. These videos are also reaching our community, Digos City, for the glory of God. I pray and I hope that many will be encouraged by God’s Word and many will come to know Christ.
After the AIMM training, the team who attended from our church shared what we had learned with our congregation by conducting a series of media workshops. We did it during our Wednesday night midweek service. The first Wednesday was for the Social Media Workshop, second and third Wednesday was for Writing and fourth and last Wednesday for Video Production.
Rocky
Korina
2018 - 2019 ANNUAL UPDATE [7.]
Watch Michael’s Freedom Story, as well as all the videos in this issue, in our digitally enhanced version of Mission at apmedia.org. [8.] AP Media MISSION / apmedia.org
HOME FREE “I am Michael. I am a drug addict.” So begins Michael’s tragic story. Growing up with violence, both in his home and in the streets of his neighborhood, Michael turned to drugs. Somehow, he was able to hide his addiction. “In high school, I was a varsity athlete. No one knew I was using drugs,” he says. Using drugs made him feel powerful. People were afraid of him. But it all caught up to him. “I didn’t graduate because I was kicked out. I lost hope. I felt powerless.” And his downward spiral into despair continued. More drugs. More alcohol. Then Typhoon Sendong hit, and his life was really turned upside-down. His family’s home was destroyed, and they lost everything. As you listen to Michael tell his story, you will hear how an overdose landed him in the hospital, but it was there that he had an encounter with Christ. “That was the first time I asked God for help: ‘Lord, help me!’” After his release from the hospital, he connected with a Christian who took him to church. The result? Listen to Michael’s own words: “I am Michael, a former addict, and I surrendered my life to God.” Each Living Free video costs our ministry about $1,200 to write, film, produce and distribute. As you support AP Media, you enable us to provide video and print materials like these to supplement drug rehabilitation workshops arranged by Global Teen Challenge in the Philippines in response to the national War on Drugs. Thank you for partnering with us to see His Commission, Multiplied in the lives of each person who sees this video and even more to come. 2018 - 2019 ANNUAL UPDATE [9.]
[10.] AP Media MISSION / apmedia.org
Pray for AP Media as We Share In
A NEW SEASON FOR CAMBODIA
—Ann Greve, Pastor, ICA Church, Phonm Penh— This is an unprecedented time for the church in Cambodia! Even though only 3 percent of our people profess Christianity, we are seeing a time of strong growth in numbers attending church, as well as believers growing in the depth in their relationship with the Lord Jesus. Most of those seeking the Lord and coming to faith are who we call the 3Gs — the third generation since the horrendous Khmer Rouge years of suffering. These young people in their 20s and 30s are very open to the gospel, and those who have believed are growing strong in their faith! The exciting thing is, media is what speaks to them! It’s the main method of communication and interaction for 8 million who are using the internet and 7 milion active social media users. It their go-to for information and research, as well as developing relationships. Because many of our church leaders are older, even though they see the growing influence of media on this generation, they are unsure about the benefits or communication skills needed to effectively utilize it in their ministry. We are so grateful to the ministry of AP Media for coming to facilitate this media training for pastors and young people who are ready and willing to be used in this vital ministry. Thank you for taking time to pray for AP Media’s work with the Church in Cambodia: •
Pray that the church leaders will “buy in” to the value of using media in their churches and for outreach.
•
Pray that young participants will not only learn skills, but catch the vision of reaching the lost through creative story telling.
•
Pray that we will see believers using social media for spreading the good news to millions of Buddhists who are “on line.”
2018 - 2019 ANNUAL UPDATE [11.]
Letter from
Keith
KEITH & DELSEY GARNER ASIA PACIFIC MEDIA—PHILIPPINES
MOVING THE MESSAGE Asia Pacific Media is a vision-casting ministry that acts as a catalyst for new ideas. By harnessing the power of the cell phone and taking advantage of the reach of the World Wide Web, we seek to see His Message, Multiplied across Asia Pacific. It requires vision to recognize the need to harness the power of the smart phone to share the gospel. It requires vision to recognize the power of a media resource that is shared from one person to another as a doorway to discuss spiritual things. It requires vision to take our eyes off ourselves and see the need of the 900 million people in Asia Pacific who do not know Christ and need to hear His message. Through the media resources and training of AP Media, we pray that Christ followers everywhere catch the vision of the power of a story told through media. Millions of people are surfing the web right now, looking for a video to watch or checking their social media. In the midst of all the things shouting for their attention, shouldn’t they be able to find the one thing that can bring them true purpose and peace? That is the power of media when combined with the gospel. Would you pray with us and for us? •
Pray that the newly released Asia Pacific Media app will be found to be a useful ministry tool for evangelism and discipleship.
•
Pray for the upcoming training seminars in Vietnam, Myanmar and the Middle East.
•
Pray for the next Asia Institute for Media in Ministry scheduled for April 2019. Once again, many nations will be sending participants.
Asia Pacific Media, His Message, Multiplied, TOGETHER! [12.] AP Media MISSION / apmedia.org
HIS MESSAGE, MULTIPLIED Through AP Media’s digital ministry tools and training, we are expanding our reach into Indonesia, Mongolia, Cambodia, Taiwan, Philippines and Myanmar. Most of these resources can also be accessed by Filipinos living in many nations of the world, including the Middle East and Europe.
Filmmaking
Web and Social Media
Print Publication
Radio Ministry
Video Production
Media Training
REACHING ASIA PACIFIC 2018 - 2019 ANNUAL UPDATE [13.]
Watch “Bulong,� as well as all the videos in this issue, in our digitally enhanced version of Mission at apmedia.org.
HOPEX MULTIPLIED Sometimes you feel that no one understands. You feel you are all alone, and what floods your mind is not good. Someone understands and cares about you. God is there, friends are there and especially our family. The DigiTract “Bulong” (Voices) begins with a young man whose inner voice is telling him he is worthless. Feeling trapped, he rebuffs his friends who try to help. “Bulong” is a thought-provoking portrayal of the truth of Ecclesiastes 4:12: “A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer” (NLT). The message is clear: Don’t go through depression alone. And the message to friends and family is just as clear: Don’t give up on your loved one! These short film tracts are designed to be viewed on YouTube or downloaded to smartphones or tablets and then shared with friends. Your partnership helps us produce each $800 DigiTract — an eternal investment in reaching students across Asia Pacific with the love of Jesus Christ. Thank you for partnering with us to see His Commission, Multiplied in the lives of each person who sees this video and even more to come. November/December 2016 e-Issue [9.]
[16.] AP Media MISSION / apmedia.org
Introducing the New AP Media App:
A WORLD MINISTRY IN THE
PALM OF YOUR HAND —Bill Snider, Director— For years, AP Media has struggled to make evangelistic videos and stories accessible to people. Distribution was our number one problem. Then came the smartphone and something called “apps.” A Christian leader said recently that the smartphone was the one of the greatest inventions for sharing God’s truth since the Gutenberg press. I believe it! Over 89 percent of all content that people access on the internet comes through apps. That fact motivated us to make our content more accessible. Earlier this year, AP Media launched our own app for Android
and iPhone. Now, anywhere in the world, people can access AP Media content, view it and share it. This is a mobile witnessing platform for any believer to use. With over 10 million Filipinos working in nations around the world, the AP Media app is being used today in the Middle East, Europe, Asia and America to share stories of hope, to listen to the latest radio programs, and use our “DigiTracts” as a 21st century witness to youth and young professionals. The gospel message in creative form is now in the palm of your hand. Pray with us that the app will be a powerful tool broadcasting hope around the world. 2018 - 2019 ANNUAL UPDATE [17.]
You gift will help train a Media Missionary to Multiply the reach of His Message — transforming countless lives. with Christ’s Love.
[18.] AP Media MISSION / apmedia.org
2018 - 2019 ANNUAL UPDATE [19.]
HOW YOU’RE HELPING US
REACH ASIA PACIFIC MYANMAR— * A production workshop was done for workers in Yangon. * A new video studio is being constructed in October for new production work. * Several testimony videos were produced and shared via social media.
INDONESIA— * A media workshop for church planters introduced them to websites and social media pages that can help them share God’s Word.
WORLDWIDE— * We did a one-hour presentation to Muslim ministry practitioners from 20 nations on media resources to reach their people. * We did a two-hour workshop presentation to mission leaders from 100 nations in Madrid, Spain, on “Empowering Missions Through Using Media.” [20.] AP Media MISSION / apmedia.org
CHINA— * AP Media staff offered a short workshop on Using Social Media for workers from cities across Mainland China at Asia Pacific Theological Seminary.
JAPAN— * A full-time media worker will return to Japan in mid 2019 to start production of contextually relevant materials for the church.
VIETNAM— * We trained a video producer from Vietnam. * Received invitation to do a media workshop for leaders in January 2019.
PHILIPPINES— * Our new Asia Pacific Media app was introduced in May. Now our materials are available anywhere through smartphones. * THE BRIDGE, a movie that reaches out to SE Asian followers of Islam, was voicedubbed into a new language. This group of over 1 million people has less than 1/10 of 1% who are followers of Jesus.
CAMBODIA— * We trained two Khmer workers in video production. * We did our first Media workshop for pastors and media workers in Phnom Penh.
* There was a Social Media presentation to pastors at the AG national conference in April. Close to 700 pastors were introduced to using social media for their ministry outreach.
2018 - 2019 ANNUAL UPDATE [21.]
Thank you, Partners!
FOR HELPING US MULTIPLY
MEDIA MISSIONARIES IN ASIA PACIFIC For every missionary that we train, we want to put tools in their hands to help them multiply the impact of the gospel in their homeland. And every day, as you faithfully partner in prayer and financial support of this ministry, you make it possible. Whether we are building production studios in Myanmar, voice dubbing one of our movies to reach Indonesia, or equipping a missionary to reach their community through training sessions like the Asia Institute for Media Ministry, what we are seeing is just the beginning of a greater mission! It cost approximately $100 to supplement the cost of training a media missionary who, without your help, might not be able to walk forward in his or her ministry call. Thank you for giving your best gift this month to help us multiply the spread of the gospel across Asia Pacific — SO ALL MAY HEAR.
Fall 2018 Annual Report [23.]
JOIN ASIA PACIFIC MEDIA Mobile U.S. Connect —Text APMEDIA TO 95577