It's Not About the Techonology

A World of Technology

     "It's not about the technology." That was one of my favorite mantras while I was the Media Director for HCJB Global in Latin America and I drilled it into our staff as often as I could. And it sounds pretty strange coming out of my mouth, being that I am an engineer and worked on state of the art radar technology in the defense industry before going to the mission field 20 some years ago. Even now, as I do research on how to use the new technologies of internet, cell phones, and mobile devices to communicate with people, I have to remind myself that its not about the technology.

     So what is it about? It's about having a message, a saving message, that we need to communicate to a world that hasn't yet heard the news. In days gone by, that communication had to happen face to face, or maybe by writing a letter. But the messages traveled slowly and two way, long distance conversations were laborious. Radio and television changed all of that. Suddenly, we were able to communicate around the world, into remote areas, behind political and geographic borders. Today we are seeing a new revolution in communication technology... rapid two-way communication using the internet, cell phones, and mobile devices.

      But it is still about the message.... We can sometimes get wrapped up in the latest and greatest technology, but what good is the technology if we have nothing to say? Knowing how to communicate the saving message of Jesus Christ effectively is still the most important thing. If you can't do that, the technology won't do it for you.

     So how are you doing? When was the last time you articulated the Gospel to a friend or neighbor? Can you respond with love when someone ridicules your faith or argues with you about the authority of the Bible? Remember... it's about not about the technology... it's about the message.

Doug

Heroes of the Faith... Do You Have One?

     Do you have one? A hero of the faith, I mean.... Do you have one? We often answer that question by going to Hebrews 11 where the Bible lists its faith "hall of fame". There are plenty of " big names"  on that list.... Abraham, Joseph, Moses, David... But what strikes me most about this list are all the "little people" who made the list. They aren't named. We've never heard of them. They didn't make it into the pages of scriptures. They are the unsung heroes of the faith.

Clemente, wife Cecilia, and son William

     When I was asked that question as a younger man, my answer would always gravitate toward one of those well heroes of the Bible. In recent years, those names have been replaced by others. One name is Clemente. Clemente is the Ecuadorian pastor/evangelist who helped us plant the church in El Tablon. He doesn't get paid to be a pastor, but he definitely has the gift. He made my list as I watched him resign from his steady employment from our radio station (HCJB) and walk by faith for his daily sustenance so that he could be available to serve the Lord, where ever the Lord would lead.

     Another name is fast becoming a part of that list. His name is Jose. Here is a man who, as he matured in his faith, decided he needed to begin telling the truth about some things in his life. It cost him his job. Yet he remains faithful to the Lord and although he is passing through difficult days, he has not questioned the wisdom of his decision. His confidence that God will provide for him astounds me.

     I have worked closely with and mentored both of these men. I have seen their lives up close. And I stand humbled by their faith. In John 14:12, Jesus says, "... the person who believes in me will perform the miraculous deeds that I am doing, and will perform greater deeds than these, ..." I wish I had the faith of Clemente and Jose... but I rejoice in seeing them exercise their faith.

So who are your heroes of the faith?

Doug (& Ruth)

We Are All On a Journey...

At the Nikkel Media Works Studio

     We just arrived home from a 3-week trip from California to Indiana/Michigan and back. It was a great time of seeing people. We decided to drive so that we could see more people and stop more places. Ruth figured out that we slept in 9 different beds, did 6 presentations of our work with HCJB Global (in 8 days), had 3 family reunions, saw over 100 friends and family that we have not seen in a long time, attended a wedding, attended a desert night, attended a Ladies Luncheon (Ruth), traveled over 5,000 miles, did 2 college visits and met with the staff at HCJB Global's Nikkel Media Works where I (Doug) will eventually work when we return to Indiana.

     It was great to see many of our friends, family and supporters on this trip. We are constantly reminded of the great group of people that God has put together who stand behind us in prayer and finances. If you want to be a part of that team, we would love to hear from you.

     I think the really exciting news is that just last night we were talking to a family from the Spanish congregation from our church here in California. As we talked, Ruth and I realized that their daughter had not yet made a commitment to follow Jesus even though she is scheduled to be baptized on Sunday. Well we were privileged to be able to help her understand how to do that. We didn't expect that to happen when we talked about getting together, but it just reminds me that we need to always  be ready to share our faith. I would challenge you to think of someone near you... maybe a neighbor, a coworker, or a family member... and begin praying that you will have an opportunity to share your faith with them.

Doug & Ruth

Reality Check

     I met with a well respected Christian media professional last week. I have attended some of his talks from time to time and I like the way he thinks "out-of-the-box". I think I even share his perspective on conventional Christian media. I was a little nervous though. I wanted to run past him some of my ideas for using new media to reach the up-and-coming generations. I have had this dream for a couple of years now and as I began to share it with others through our presentations, etc, I have begun to wonder if this is just a crazy dream or if this is really something that could work. I was beginning to have my doubts... 

     L.A. is a great place to network with Christian media professionals. Many of them work in the secular media, and I am sure they have some great ideas of how Christians should or could use the media to more effectively tell others about Jesus. I was not sure if my ideas would fit into this environment though or if I would be shot down immediately because I really didn't understand the media world. So I had to get a reading. I needed a reality check...

     It was a short meeting...only about half an hour. I had driven longer than that one-way just to get to the meeting. But I got my answer. Total excitement and support! In fact, he kept asking me what he and his company could do to help us. "Whew! So I'm not crazy..." But then it hit me.... "If I'm not crazy, then there has be a way to make this work..."

     That has become my new motto.... I don't know how we are going to realize this dream. Just the thought of it is daunting as I think about the many obstacles that we will have to climb and overcome. But we must be headed in the right direction. So where do I begin? Networking.... Sharing my ideas with other like-minded media professionals and finding ways that we can work together. I left that meeting with a couple of introductions to other media people who might be interested in just this kind of ministry.

     Will you pray for us as I begin talking to people, gleaning ideas from experts in the field, and putting some shape and form to this "not so crazy" idea? We will certainly need all the wisdom and knowledge that we can get, and the best source of that is from our Lord Himself....

Doug

Waiting for the Shoots...

     When I was young I remember my parents had a garden. In the spring, we would all go out and cultivate the earth, make nice little rows in the ground and plant seeds in those rows. Then we would wait.... and we would wait.... and we would wait... It seemed like we waited forever to me as a child. Every day I would go out and look for the first signs of growth... those first shoots of green that would break through the top crust of earth and tell me that our labor was not in vain.

Half-Time Devotions

     The Apostle Paul uses the example of gardening in his first letter to the Corinthians when we talked about spiritual growth too. He said "I planted, Apollos watered, but God was causing the growth". Well, Steve and I, and many others have been planting seeds and watering those seeds all year long during our indoor soccer games. Several of the players seem interested in spiritual things. We have shared the good news of salvation with them and we have invited them to church on several occasions. Now it is time to let God do the growing.

     We are taking a break from our games for a couple of months. We know that God is not taking a break though. He is growing those seeds even though the shoots are still below the surface and unseen. We watch for those first signs of sprouts every Sunday morning... maybe someone will come to church today.... maybe we need to wait another week.

     Please be praying for the men and women who played with us. We are confident that God is causing those seeds to grow. ... not that we want any glory from it. Paul goes on to say in First Corinthians "... So then neither the one who plants, nor the one who waters is anything, but God who causes the growth." Here are some names to help you pray... Luis, Ramon, Sandra, Victor, Irineo, Jose, Eric...

Thanks,

Doug