Mission Magazine Spring 2018

Letter from

Bill

BILL & KIM SNIDER ASIA PACIFIC MEDIA DIRECTORS

His Commission, Multiplied Thanks to you, our AP Media partners, the Asia Institute for Media in Ministry (AIMM) was a resounding success! More than 44 from seven countries journeyed to Baguio, Philippines, to be trained in either media production, social media or launching a Christian publication.

The result? Forty-four media missionaries have returned to their home churches equipped with the ability to present the gospel in fresh, exciting ways. Their focus: to grow their church using media.

In this AIMM Highlights issue of Mission magazine, we are pleased to present some of our students’ works-in-progress that they put together during the week.

Not only did the students attend workshops, but they were also actively engaged in utilizing what they were learning as they put together a final team project.

It’s incredible to think how God multiplied the learning that happened in the week we had together! I wholeheartedly believe that media multiplies the Matthew 28:19 mandate — diligence and obedience will be rewarded as these missionaries move into places of eternal influence.

Thank you for your faithfulness that is being multiplied through training a generation who will do even greater things.

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–AIMM–

Meet Our Students “We are on a mission to bring Christ to the communities and media is an effective tool when we use it right. I discovered various tools to make creating publications easier and started using them. We now have a clear mission statement and a media strategy to reach more people.” —AIMM Student

Partners, I would love for you to have had the opportunity to witness this year’s Asia Institute for Media in Ministry meet these students face-to-face.

Honestly, the skills and the time that you help us invest in these media missionaries is equivalent to 3-credit college intro to video, social media or publication course.

Forty-four people have been ignited with a vision to see His Message, Multiplied by producing culturally relevant media to engage the churches, communities and home countries that they serve.

And that “iron sharpens iron” learning didn’t stop on the night when students received their course certificates. The learning, encouragement and camaraderie continue via our Facebook-based class groups for years to come.

Here are a few student-produced video testimonies in which you will meet Jehannah, Gilly and Kathrin and find out how they want to use what they have learned in their ministry when they return home.

[4.] AP Media MISSION / apmedia.org

MEET MEDIA MISSIONARY

Jehannah

“Our church is still small, but we have big dreams, especially with the help of media ministry. Attending AIMM is costly for someone like me, but it is really worth it. You get to enrich not only your mind and skills, but also your attitude and your social circle — and especially your heart for the ministry of the kingdom of God.”

MEET MEDIA MISSIONARY

MEET MEDIA MISSIONARY

“I like taking photos, but I don’t have a background in media ministry. I am really interested in it, though. I found out about AIMM from a Facebook post. I find my experience here at AIMM very helpful for my discipleship ministry. Through media ministry, I can make the Word of God available to all the people out there.”

“I attended AIMM because it’s important that we produce good media. I have stepped into a new area that needs to be explored. It enlarges my vision. It’s not all about getting the skill, but especially about catching the vision and getting motivated. It’s about knowing God is on our side as we step forward in using media in our churches.”

Gilly

Kathrin

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AIMM MEDIA MISSIONARY SPOTLIGHT

Living has its ups and downs.

This is the nature of life.

REACHING THROUGH THE PAIN —Sarah Chan, Myanmar—

I saw a little light coming from the window. I realized that God had given me another new day. But I opened my eyes and I was in pain.

I wished the pain would disappear like passing clouds in the sky, but it only kept me focused on the sadness that surrounded me.

When I first came to Asia Pacific Theological Seminary (APTS), I prayed every day to God to give me wisdom, knowledge in my studies, good health and financial stability.

I diligently studied because I was afraid of failure, but was struggling because I did not have a proper understanding of the English language.

As time went by, my desire to pray had diminished. I focused too much on my studies and sleeping. I did not have personal devotion time for several months. I did not say a

single word of thanks to God for bringing me to APTS. I just focused on what I wanted to do.

For a couple days, I lay in pain, alone in my apartment — no one was there to take care of me. I tried to take medicine to get better. However, when I woke up, I didn’t feel any better. Sadly, the medicine was not working at all. In fact, I was feeling worse, so I took another dose. This time, I added two different kinds of medication. I tried to sleep again.

After a long sleep, I woke up again with pain in my head.

The sickness took a turn for the worse. I had a hard time breathing. I could not move. I thought that I would die at this rate since no one was around me.

In this moment, of desperation I called on the name of the Lord to heal me. I asked for forgiveness, and I felt His healing presence. Here’s what I’ve learned.

• We can be ourselves in the presence of the Lord. He is waiting for us to pour out our burdens and hurts. When you are in pain, remember that God is there. We must invite His presence into our troubles. He always answers when we call on Him. • We all have struggles. The best way to deal with these things is to come to the Lord with a sincere heart and lay them down. We don’t have to pretend that everything is okay in our lives.

• I exist because He loves me. And it was during this time of pain that God taught me a precious lesson — to always bringing everything, every day, to Him .

It is the nature of human beings to call on God only when we are in need. We forget Him when we have everything.

But God wants to have a relationship with us always.

“For in him we live and move and have our being...

We are his offspring” (Acts 17:28, NIV).

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—AIMM VIDEO GROUP SPOTLIGHT—

Thirst

—AP MEDIA STAFF— “Thirst” is a DigiTract project-in-progress produced by an AIMM Video Group. It emphasizes man’s search to find joy, peace and satisfaction in life. It demonstrates the human desire to satisfy that thirst by making destructive life choices. Addiction, riches, fame and sex are all on the bar’s menu.

The question is clear: What are you thirsty for? The answer is just as clear: Living Water found in a relationship Jesus Christ is the only true source of refreshment.

The closing scene falls on the verse: “But those who drink the water I give will never be thirsty again” (John 4:14, NLT).

The DigiTracts short film video template is also easily adapted to other topics. Media missionaries are empowered to customize this format to tell their stories of faith through social media.

Thank you for praying as the final version of “Thirst” reaches its release date. Pray that it will impact many lives for the Kingdom.

And pray that every one of the AIMM Video Production teams is inspired to create many more life-changing film projects.

Click on the link above to view “Thirst.”

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Watch Utang

Novem

graceXMultiplied Where can we find the payment for the debt we can’t pay?

The latest AP Media-produced DigiTracts which focuses on a modern-day illustration of the Easter Story poses this question: How did Jesus pay a debt for sin that we could not pay, The scene opens with a lady walking home at night from work. As she suspects she is being followed, she quickly steps into her apartment and locks the door.

As she turns on the light, her eyes quickly fall on a table full of bills and an eviction notice.

However, out of the blue, a mysterious stranger shows up at her door and her life is changed forever.

This story reflects the truth of 1 John 2:2: “He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world” (NIV).

It has been viewed on social media over 120,000 times and provided to churches across Southeast Asia for their Holy Week services.

These short film tracts are designed to be viewed on YouTube or downloaded to smartphones or tablets and then shared with friends.

Each DigiTract costs $800 for AP Media to produce — an eternal investment in reaching students across Asia Pacific with the love of Jesus Christ.

As you support AP Media, you enable us to provide resources like DigiTracts which are offered free to the public and for church use.

Thank you for partnering with us to see His Commission, Multiplied in the lives of each person who sees this mber/December 2016 e-Issue [9.] video and even more to come.

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SPRING

—PRAY FOR AP MEDIA—

Myanmar Studio Project Update Not only is AP Media continuing to train a new generation of media missionaries, the Myanmar project to build a studio that will broadcast the gospel in an area heavily influenced by the Muslim world is moving forward! This is an exciting milestone. The studio will be used to produce stories of freedom — testimonies of many Buddhists on their life-changing decision to follow Jesus.

• Pray that the construction of the studio is completed on schedule (by August). Our national leaders are taking care of all construction.

• Pray for Dr. David Lee as he travels to Myanmar to work with local leaders to identify and purchase construction materials.

• Pray for funding to equip the facility. Fortunately, video equipment is becoming cheaper. Still, with two cameras, lighting, appropriate audio and other equipment that will enhance what we can do, we are still looking at approximately $20,000.

• Pray that the facility will be able to start producing video content by this fall.

• Pray for the provision for our $400 daily operating expenses for AP Media. This base of support is what enables us to continue providing training like the Asia Institute for Media in Ministry.

[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

April/May 2017 e-Issue [13.]

—THE BRIDGE—

SO ALL MAY KNOW —BILL SNIDER—

Over a decade ago, AP Media worked with a ministry called Sword Productions to produce and voice-dub two films for the Southeast Asia Muslim world.

The movies — “The Bridge” and “The Flood of Faith” Both productions present powerful testimonies of a small group of believers who survived as they served God in a region where they were the persecuted minority.

For the last 15 years, a couple serving in the Southern Philippines has consistently used it for evangelism.

Because of its effectiveness, recently it was dubbed it into Bahasa to reach the people of Indonesia.

Now, once again, AP Media has the green light and is translating this resource for a people group of over a million in perhaps the most militant area in our region.

Other than the “Jesus” film, we believe that this will be the only Christian drama produced in their language in a context they will understand in their part of the world.

To complete this project, we need to raise approximately $7,500 in production costs. This budget includes transportation, accommodation and food for voice talent, We also need to rent studio time, and love gift offerings for talent, a voice coach, other personnel and distribution.

Thank you for agreeing in prayer and in financial support of this project! With your help we can take the gospel where it has never gone before — reaching 1 million souls for eternity!

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Thank you, Partners!

FOR HELPING US BUILD BRIDGES IN SOUTHEAST ASIA 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.

This month I ask you to prayerfully consider giving a gift of any amount to offset the $10,000-a-year project investment in the Myanmar media team and their mission goals.

Just designate your gift in the online giving at apmedia.org/give to “Myanmar Project.” And if you would like to contribute specifically to any of the equipment needs above, feel free to note that as well.

Thank you for giving your best gift this month to help us move forward in Myanmar and continue to grow in our efforts throughout greater Southeast Asia. No matter the size of your gift, you are indeed impacting lives for eternity.

How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them?

—Romans 10:14 (NIV) [22.] AP Media MISSION / apmedia.org.

Fall 2016 / Summer 2017 Special Edition [21.]

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