www.creativecommunications.sg I Sept 2008

Wide Angle Productionsmaking compelling short films to impact lives around the world

in this issue

We’ve all had times when something that has been com-municated to us suddenly ‘clicked’ in our heads. The mes-sage makes sense, it resonates with our hearts, and we are compelled to respond.

It’s the same when we attempt to share the gospel with someone. We are all hoping that whatever we say some-how ‘clicks’ for the listener.

To be sure, God is ultimately the one who makes the message ‘click’ in people’s hearts! (1 Cor 3:6)

However, we too have a part to play! We have the God-given responsibility to make meaningful and effective connections with our listeners, so that it facilitates the sharing of the message of truth and hope.

Apostle Paul (in Acts 17) used the cultural context and language of the Greeks to make meaningful connections with the Athenians. He quoted their poets in his ‘sermon’ to establish common ground, making his message ‘click’ with them.

CreaComm has been called to the ministry of “bringing the unchanging gospel to a changing generation”. It is our desire that the very power of the gospel when presented and communicated clearly and creatively will lead people to say, “That clicked with me…”

As you read this very first issue of our quarterly newsletter, about how God has been working in and through us, we hope that it would inspire and encourage you that God is at work, and spur you on to make Him known wherever He has placed you.

Simon SeowMinistry Director

Creative Communications

from the Director

MakingtheGospelClick...

The GoForth National Missions Conference is an initiative to mobilize churches in Singa-pore to the call of the Great Commission. A few Crea-Comm staff had the opportu-nity to conduct an interactive workshop on how to use media to reach out to this generation of youth.

Partnerships

MakingtheGospelClick...

CreaComm had the privilege of partnering with Eagles Communications, who host-ed the Hearts Aflame Evangelism Confer-ence last month. We con-ducted 3 workshops, on how to use creative tools (music, short films and the Internet) for evangelism.

ForeRunner, our music min-istry was recently part of our Campus Ministry’s ‘Naked i campaign’. They did a total of 8 concerts on 7 local campuses, centered on the theme of love and relationships. In the com-ing months, they are working on building new bands, part-nerships and various ministry formats. (We’ll share more in the next issue!)

Wide Angle Productions (WAP) seeks to produce short films that can be used to ignite spiritual conversations. Just as Jesus told parables relevant to people of His time, WAP desires to tell visual stories to this visual generation that will meet people on their spiritual journeys and thereby bring them closer to knowing God. WAP also seeks to train those who have an interest in making/using films for evangelism.

(from left: Gabriel, Yvonne, Amber, Li Ling, Andrew, Carl & John)

Why film?Unlike performing arts, films only require an electronic video-playing de-vice to access them. Whatev-er is filmed today, when put together to form a coherent, compeling story, bears the po-tential to make lasting impact.

MakingtheGospelClick...

...in Alexandria, “I had an eye-opening experience interacting with some of them who come from places where Christians face hostile opposition...”

Egypt!A media training conference was held in Alexandria, Egpyt to train Campus Crusade staff from various “closed” countries on how to make short films for the purpose of evangelism and discipleship in their spe-cific landscapes. John Rajan Nair, ministry director of WAP, who attended the training and taught a lesson on writing, talks about his experience:

“It was a privilege being part of the training. I had an eye-opening experience interacting with some of them who come from places where Christians face hostile opposition. Some of the stories they shared in class about life in their countries were painful and heart-rending, as it could literally cost you your life if you declare that you’re a Christian in those places. Other than the wonderful friendships we enjoyed, this training also provided opportunities for us to work to-gether on future projects.”

MakingtheGospelClick...

The Parable Project (TPP) is a WAP ini-tiative that stems from its ministry goal to train others. Essentially a student film missions project, TPP’s aim is to

impart the vision of media evangelism as well as equip the students with basic filmmak-

ing skills, thereby enabling them to make their own short films and use them as tools for evangelism. The Project spans to 2-3 weeks.

This year’s TPP was a milestone for many of the participants as it was their first mission trip. Amongst them is Quek Ying Xiu, a recent Nanyang Techonological University Banking and Finance graduate. She shares, “Initially, I had some reservations before going on the trip, but the experience drew me closer to God. I also felt God’s love through my teammates.”

The short films made during last year’s TPP continue to impact lives despite the physical end of the Project. Two of last year’s short films made in English were screened in a church’s Mandarin outreach event. 7 people prayed to receive Christ, proving that God can use moving images to transcend language barriers and touch lives.

...in singapore, “Two of last year’s short

films made in English were

screened in a church’s

Mandarin outreach event. 7 people prayed

to receive Christ...”

TpP!

Every TPP ends with a screening showcasing the films made during the project. The screening at the end of ev-ery TPP is a testament of God’s greatness throughout the Project. Each student will tell you that the crafting of each short film, from the initial brainstorming of ideas, to the final touches made at the editing table, is a process guided by God and empowered by the Spirit. God never failed to pro-vide for every need (resources, actors, locations, etc.)

This year’s screening was at Sinema Old School, the only local cinema to-date that is devoted to screening Singapore films. The evening included an offering of 5 short films, and a dialogue session with some of the actors and directors of the various short films. Here are a couple of comments from the audience on some of the films:

“The stories highlight issues that are usually buried deep in our hearts.”

– CHRIS, on the film ‘The Perfect Race’ and ‘Double Vision’ -

“It reflected the essence of loss and hope.” – CLINTON, on the film, ‘Flowers for Her’ -

“Each student will tell you that the crafting of each short film, from the initialbrainstorming of ideas, to the final touches made at the editing table, is a process guided by God and empowered by the Spirit...”

TpP! continued...

CR

EDITS: Editor: Fong Li Ling Photos: C

aleb Kay, Daniel H

o, Raym

ond Yee Contributors: Sim

on Seow, Eeleen Lin, John R

Design: R

aymond Yee

next issueuu Hear how photos are being used as an evangelistic tool

uu “Snooze”, “Alternation”? What are they?

upcoming events uuSeptember hSeveral concerts by ForeRunner’s bands hVictor + Candy’s wedding

uu November hSoul2Soul goes on tour hGlobal Music+Creative Arts Leaders Summit (in U.S.) hJohnson + Yvonne’s wedding

uuOctober hMedia Training Conference (for East Asia)

uu December hVision + Fund-Raising Dinner

A ministry of Singapore Campus Crusade for Christmail@creativecommunications.sg

152 Paya Lebar Rd, #04-06, S(409020)Tel: 67475309

MGC ‘Making the Gospel Click’ is a quarterly publi-cation of Creative Communications, a ministry of Singapore Campus Crusade for Christ. We are committed to ‘Bringing the unchanging Gospel to a changing generation’ through music, short-film, internet and the creative arts.