The New Media Moves Fast!

Well, it has only been a few weeks since our return from Home Ministry Assignment in the USA last summer. And boy did we hit the ground running. Seems everyone is getting the "new media bug" and my little department and I are getting inundated with requests for help. That is good news... but it also caused my managers to realize that I needed more time to dedicate to new media. So, about a week ago I was relieved of my responsibilities over ALAS (satellite network) and SERVIR (radio agency). I will still be involved with partner relations for both, but I am greatly relieved to be able to concentrate on just new media initiatives.

Web page www.radiohcjb.org

So what kinds of opportunities are coming our way? We currently have four web pages that are in various states of re-design. We act as consultants for other HCJB Global ministries who are launching these pages, giving them suggestions for how to make their pages better, web page navigation tips, ideas on how to present their information, tips on how to make them interactive, etc.

About two weeks ago, I was also asked to take the leadership of a new internet initiative to reach Latin American youth who are on the fringes of the church. These are kids who have grown up in church but have been disheartened by what they have seen and are moving away from the church as an institution. We are still forming the approach that we will use to reach these kids, but this is completely new ground for HCJB Global in Latin America.

Facebook page for "HCJB La Voz De Los Andes"

We are still involved in Facebook initiatives. Last week we tested a live video stream that we were able to add as a tab on one of our Facebook pages. I even did a "remote" shoot of the "Open House for the Bible" event HCJB hosted last Friday and Saturday. We hope to eventually connect the live video from my iPhone to the stream that our fans can see on the Facebook page.

Then just this week, another missionary stopped by to "chat".  Together we shared our respective dreams to start producing video content for the use on the internet. Although he will do most of the video production, this effort falls squarely under new media because we will use the internet for distribution.

So you can be praying for my team and I as we try to keep all of these balls in the air. Currently I have three half-time people working with me on new media. Pray that we can prioritize our efforts well and get the most out of each opportunity for God's glory...

Thanks,

Doug