Monday Memo Intro
I wish James had put it another way. Don’t you? In the very opening of his letter to Christ-followers who were scattered all over he says,
[blockquote author="" link="" target="_blank"]Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials.[/blockquote]
When. Not if. I would prefer that James had said, “ Consider life a joy, and IF any trials ever happen to come your way, well…that’s just part of life. This too shall pass.”
Nope. He didn’t say that. Under the Holy Spirit’s direction he said we will surely have trials. Various trials. Sometimes from all directions. And James said, as the J. B. Phillips translation puts it, “…don’t resent them (trials) as intruders, but welcome them as friends!”
I don’t know about you, but that’s hard.
Fred Smith, a wise mentor to many spiritual leaders, once wrote,
[blockquote author="" link="" target="_blank"]Some of us are trying to get away from difficulties. The sailboat needs breezes to move; the human being needs the winds of adversity for motivation. Our valleys test our ability to forget revenge and practice forgiveness.[/blockquote]
Sometimes that is not just hard, it is impossible. Someone wrongs you. Someone hurts your family. Unexpected trials…illness, accidents, death…take their toll. And we are to be happy?
Maybe part of the idea from James is to remind us we cannot live this life on our own. We need to depend on Jesus, His strength, His wisdom, His perseverance to see us through. And when we sense His provision and plan in our lives, even in the midst of hard days, we can be joyful.
Eugene Peterson says it this way in his paraphrase of these verses:
[blockquote author="James 1:2-4 (MSG)" link="" target="_blank"]Consider it a sheer gift, friends, when tests and challenges come at you from all sides. You know that under pressure, your faith-life is forced into the open and shows its true colors. So don’t try to get out of anything prematurely. Let it do its work so you become mature and well-developed, not deficient in any way.[/blockquote]
Hang on. Get ready to smile. There is a joy-filled trial just around the corner. Count on it. How will you respond?
Ronald L. Harris
President
PS...If you know a media ministry leader who would like to receive these Monday MEMO's from MEDIAlliance, please subscribe online here: http://medialliance.cc/prayer-newsletter-signup/
Something Big!
February 2013 MEDIAlliance Newsletter
Before there was a Conan O’Brian, a Jay Leno, or even a Johnny Carson...there was Steve Allen, the original host of The Tonight Show. Along with his quick wit, Allen possessed great musical talent, both as a pianist and a composer. One of his songs became the recognizable theme song for his own TV show. It was called “This Could Be the Start of Something Big.”
I have sensed God doing something in these days that could easily echo that theme. God IS up to something big. Even a casual reading of His Word reminds us of the greatness of our God; the magnitude of His creation, the enormity of His love, and the depth of His sacrifice for all. He is a big God.
It has also been my experience that the Lord’s assignments for us are part of His big plan, and are often overwhelming…apart from His power and His Spirit working in us. I certainly feel that in the launch of our new ministry in this new year. I could easily be overwhelmed by the enormity of the task…were it not for God.
MEDIAlliance International. Interesting mash-up.
Media: A means of communicating
Alliance: A merging of efforts or interests
MEDIAlliance: A merging of efforts and interests to communicate to the world the greatest story…the story of hope and love found only in Jesus Christ.
Message. Media. Mankind. MEDIAlliance
[blockquote author="II Timothy 1:1" link="" target="_blank"]...to further the promise of life in Christ Jesus...[/blockquote]
In early January 2013, MEDIAlliance International was born. After years of connecting and assisting Christian broadcasters through National Religious Broadcasters (NRB), the time was right to form MEDIAlliance, to give even greater focus and flexibility in assisting Christian broadcasters world wide.
The result…a ministry based on almost five decades of broadcast experience and over 10 years of connecting Christian broadcasters and communicators around the globe. MEDIAlliance International is focused on bringing the best in training, mentoring, networking, and encouraging Christian broadcasters.
We assist bold and dedicated communicators who serve in places where evangelical believers are in the vast minority…less than 2% of the population of their country, and often far less than 2%. Some face intimidation, opposition, and real personal danger as they use radio, TV, and the Internet to take God’s Good News to their spiritually needy world.
MEDIAlliance International partners with 12-14 ministries, representing over one million listeners, with broadcast signals that impact potentially over 100 million people with the Gospel. Some partners are established ministries; others are in the early stages of their work. All are intensly committed servants who seek to be more and more effective in changing hearts and lives for Christ.
Current Ministry Work
God has opened doors for ministry work in a wide variety of places. It has been our joy and blessing to come alongside broadcasters in the following locations and help them extend the impact of God’s message.
Albania – Radio 7 Tirana
Albania – Radio 7 Nord , Shkodra
Albania – Radio Emmanuel, Korce
Bolivia – Radio Mosoj Chaski, Cochabamba
France – Gospel Radio , Paris
Haiti - Radio 4VEH, Cap Hatian
India – Good News Television, Chennai
Indonesia – Radio Dian Mandiri , Bali
Kosovo – Radio 7 , Pristina
Romania – Alfa Omega Television , Timasoara
Romania – Radio Voice of the Gospel, Bucharest
Serbia – ELION Media Ministry, Belgrade
Sweden – Hope FM , Stockholm
Turkey – Radio Shema, Ankara
Sometimes we just check in with the leaders to see how the ministry is doing, and to see what we can do to help. Other times it is to answer questions, give direction and to make connections with US ministries for programming and other needs. Always it is to continue a strong relationship, so all of us get a sense of God’s big enterprise called Christian media.
Praise Reports
Russia – We’ve just returned from the Association of Christian Broadcasters-Russia Media Forum in Moscow. About 120 Christian broadcasters gathered there to learn, to discuss, and to be inspired in using media to share the Gospel. Several from NRB, including NRB President Frank Wright and NRB Board Chairman Rich Bott were there to encourage and strengthen these faithful servants. The attendees came from the far reaches of Russia and several of the former Soviet countries.
India – Plans are coming together to hold another Media Training Conference in September 2013 in Delhi, India. Last September there were about 100 in attendance at a similar conference, and early indications are that this year’s event will grow dramatically. MEDIAlliance is glad to provide guidance and coordination alongside Ashvin Dhyriam of Good News Television of Chennai.
Albania – Radio 7 in Tirana, Albania, has launched Radio 7 Nord in the northern part of the country. Based in the city of Shkodra, this new station is producing programming to meet local needs, and also carries programming from Radio 7 Tirana.
Kosovo – Amazing things are happening in this country. Though there have been challenges for the operating of Radio 7 Kosovo, God is opening doors for the first Christian television programming ever in this almost totally Muslim country. The media team placing programming on the most popular secular station in the capital city, Pristina, has found favor with the management of the station. Though not believers in Christ, they see great value in Biblical based programs, especially for their children and youth. And programs on the air just a few weeks are already generating amazing response from viewers. One person wrote:
[blockquote author="" link="" target="_blank"]This program is like a medicine for my mind, my body and my spirit. I never knew what could heal me, but now I do. I know I need God in my life.[/blockquote]
Over the next few months we’ll highlight some of the other ministries we are working with, and some of their prayer needs. It is exciting to see how the Lord is moving in other lands.
Humbled
While I was in Russia I had an unusual opportunity to see God’s hand in the midst of trials…and to see His faithful servants remaining strong. While not directly related to a broadcast ministry, there are some connections. More importantly, it shows the culture of Russia these days.
Two years ago I was invited to bring the message at the Holy Trinity Church in Moscow, pastored by Vasili Romanyuk. There were around 300 at the church, and the believers who worshipped there warmly received me.
Last September, after a long period of disputes with the local authorities that amounted to harassment for this evangelical church, police dressed like workerscame after midnight and bulldozed the church to the ground. It was a devastating blow to the congregation, they are not to be counted out. Since that time they have continued to meet at the site of their former church, to let the neighbors and the authorities that the Lord is above all, and their faith remains strong.
One of my prayers was to be able to stand with them at one of these services. God answered my prayers. Pastor Vasili asked me to bring a message at this outdoor service the Sunday we were in Moscow. I was deeply honored.
The day dawned bright, and the clear night had allowed the temperatures to drop to -15C, about 5 degrees Fahrenheit. When we arrived at the site I was surprised to see about 60 people shoveling a place for the congregation to stand on the snow pack for our service. All ages were represented, from young children to older adults. Some were passing out pizza boxes to open up and stand on as a bit of insulation from the chilling snow pack.
The Pastor led a prayer, and the singers led us in a song or two, including (in Russian) “Count Your Many Blessings.” The passage the Lord led me to for a brief message was from Job 12:9. In the midst of all the tragedy and trials in Job’s life, he is able to say,
“Which of all these does not know that the hand of the Lord has done this,”
Job was acknowledging that trials and trouble do come. But God is in it, or allows it, for His purpose. It was a moving time for me to see these people, now without the church they had build with their own hands, nod in agreement that God is in even this.
When I was in the old church, there was a photograph on the pastor's bookshelf that captured me. I was fearful that it had been lost when the church was destroyed. But I have just received a copy of it, and it graphically shows the depth of the faith of these people in Russia.
In this picture you see a pastor speaking to his congregation during Soviet days at their underground church in the forest. The people would wander into to the woods at an appointed time, assemble for church, then wander back to their homes so they would not be stopped by the Russian authorities. The pastor in the picture? He’s the father of Pastor Vasili, who can be seen as a young man in the upper left of the picture behind a tree. His brother, Nickolai, in front of him, is also a pastor today.
I think of the church in America, and I know we have much to learn from our Russian brothers and sisters in Christ. I pray that God will continue to use these dynamic believers, even in the difficult days that may come. And I pray we may remain as strong as they when we face the overwhelming trials that may come our way.
Finally...
The financial support for this ministry comes from folks who want to see lives impacted by the Gospel of Christ around the world, and who recognize the powerful tool that the effective use of media provides. Would you pray about helping us by giving to MEDIAlliance. Call or email me if you would like to support this international work, and would like to know more.
Photo Album for February 2013 MEDIAlliance Newsletter
[flickr_set id="72157670898834340"]
New International Ministry Launched
The coming of the new year brings exciting change. Medialliance International has been formed to continue the work of assisting, training, encouraging, and mentoring Christian broadcasters on an international basis.
After four and a half years as Senior Vice President for Strategic Partnerships with National Religious Broadcasters, I have launched this new non-profit organization with the goal of building strong partnerships and to expand this exciting international work. You'll be hearing more about Medialliance in the coming days. We look forward to what God has for us as we help "...further the promise of life in Christ Jesus...." to those around the world.
I am so grateful for National Religious Broadcasters, Dr. Frank Wright, President/CEO, and the entire NRB staff. They have been a tremendous help and great encouragement over these years. With God's guidance and favor, we have seen hundreds of media professionals and students from over 20 countries receive training to be more effective in their impact for the Gospel.In addition, the overall awareness of international opportunities has grown among those in the NRB association. And as a result, the spread of the Gospel through the media has been strengthened.
We are grateful for all that has been accomplished in His name, and look forward to new blessings and opportunities in the days ahead. Your prayers will be additional blessings as we take these new and exciting steps.
Monday MEMO Origins
One of the things that I feel strongly about is encouraging one another in the work to which God has called us. I have made it one of the main facets of our ministry through MEDIAlliance International. As I look at the Bible, particularly Paul's writings, I see how often he encouraged those early Christ-followers. Paul said we could (should) imitate him as he imitated Christ.
Though we often encourage the various media ministries we have worked with directly, along with what we do at regional training conferences, I have felt there is more encouragement we could give. When I managed KCBI Radio in Dallas I wrote a Monday Memo that, along with needed information, had words of encouragement based on what God was teaching me in His Word.
For sometime I have wanted to launch something like that for MEDIAlliance. So, here we go. For the most part this will be brief insights and encouragement from Scripture. We will occasionally share thoughts of great Christian leaders, but will mostly give you a brief look at what I am learning on this faith journey.
My prayer is that God will use it to encourage you, strengthen you, and prepare you as you lead others in ministry. You are in a strategic place in God's plan. Many days you face greater challenges than I will face. While I may have a thought that lifts your spirit or resets your resolve to serve Christ, I know that the ultimate encouragement comes from the Lord and His Word.
By the way, if you would rather not receive these, you can opt out without my feelings being hurt. I know how busy you are, and how many demands there are on your time. If these are helpful, my prayers are answered. If they do not meet your needs, feel free to let me know and I will remove your name from the email list.
Otherwise, look for of these Monday MEMO's in your inbox sometime on each Monday. May God bless all of us through this process...for His glory, and for His purpose.
Ronald L. Harris
President
PS...You are invited if you lead a media ministry. If there is someone in your organization, or another person you would like me to include, just give me their name and email address. I will be glad to add them to the list. You may also subscribe online here: http://medialliance.cc/prayer-newsletter-signup/