Dear Christian Comic Arts Society Members,

Calvin and Carol Conkey

To the GLOBAL MEDIA NETWORK TRACK of the Chiang Mai, Thailand GLOBAL CALL2ALL CONGRESS!   

Next May 21-24th, approximately 2,000 leaders and delegates from around the world will be gathering for a Call2all Global Congress in Chiang Mai. Call2all is a global movement bringing together the body of Christ to finish the Great Commission. Over the last 5 years it has emerged as one of the leading networks in the world. 30,000 Christian leaders, from 1,400 different organizations, representing 160 countries, have participated in congresses around the globe. You can find out more about this movement by going to their website at www.call2all.org

Among the leaders coming next May for this Congress are the heads of key missions organizations and denominations, including the following from North America and Europe: Loren Cunningham, YWAM, Steve Douglass, CCCI, Paul Eshleman, CCCI, Roy Peterson, Wycliffe, Seed Company, Luis Bush, Transform World, Tom Elliff, IMB, Southern Baptist Convention, George Verwer, OM and more.

Many leaders will be coming from China (200), Korea (200) and from the other nations throughout Asia. Among these will be leaders of the main underground networks and senior pastors from a number of large churches.

The Global Media Network

The world's foremost media based ministries have come together to create a dynamic "Global Media Network" track that will run everyday of the congress. Those who attend this track will participate in workshop presentations by inspirational speakers, and be exposed to the latest media tools and strategies being used to reach the least reached peoples of the world.

Global Media Network track workshops will include topics such as: cross-cultural short films, internet evangelism, mobile media, animation, cartooning and visual arts for missions, media that transforms nations, and new technologies for media distribution. Pioneers from leading media ministries are all participating in creating dynamic and inspiring content for this media track.

We are believing that this time will be an historic strategic gathering of media professionals and mission and church leaders.  New ways to utilize media and technology to communicate the Gospel to all peoples will highlight our discussions.  New relationships and partnerships will be formed between media producers, mission agencies and churches for completing the task.

The 20/20 Vision Project

The 20/20 Vision will be highlighted at the Chiang Mai Call2All Global Congress. The Call2All is expecting 3000 participants from all over the world with a special delegation of emerging mission leaders coming from Mainland China. We would like you to join us at the Global Media Network track of this conference which runs from May 21st until the 24th, 2013. At the last Global Call2All in Los Angeles our Media Track was one of the most successful, both in numbers as well as in commitments. . Since that time the Media Track has evolved into one of the three major "Global Networks" of the Call2All, and Calvin and Carol Conkey have been asked to provide the leadership for this network. More information and registration.

The Cross-Cultural Film Institute

Directly following the Call2All Congress, stay on for the Cross-Cultural Film Institute. May 27th-July 6th, 2013. This is a 6 week intensive training program for media professionals and other skilled media people who want to learn more about producing films in a cross-cultural situation. The program consists of two weeks of lecture/workshop followed by a two week production in a 20/20 Vision unreached people group, with the post-production taking the next two weeks back in Chiang Mai. We look forward to some of you participating with us in this 6 week seminar. Also, please share this email with your staff and colleagues. This training would greatly benefit those who want to focus on producing other films for the 20/20 Vision peoples. Please email us if you are interested in registering for this seminar or if you know someone who may be interested.

"The Chiang Mai Call2All Global Media Network track is bringing together men and women with specific God-given skills and talents in the media world, who also share a passion to reach the Least Evangelized Mega People groups. God is weaving together each person and organization's abilities and vision into a beautiful tapestry of story and gospel truths in order to reach the least, the last and the lost." Quote from Jesus Film/New Media

Please don't miss this exciting Global Media Network track at the Chiang Mai Call2All Global Congress  http://www.call2all.org/medianetwork

Register today at: http://www.call2all.org and email us to indicate your interest for the Global Media Network track.

For more information contact the Global Media Network track co-ordinators:
Calvin and Carol Conkey, Global Media Network,  GMN@call2all.org

http://www.call2all.org/medianetwork

Do you want your life to make a difference in this world? Do you have a desire to be transformed by God and combine your love for media & the arts to share the gospel? Do you want to effectively reach out to the unreached peoples of the world? Then the Create International DTS in beautiful Chiang Mai, Thailand may be the right place for you!

The CIDTS starts the 4th of January 2013 and ends the 17th of June (applications close Nov 15th, 2012)

Contact the School Leader at cidts@createthailand.com for more information

or check out the school webpage at: http://www.createthailand.com/en/training/22-cidts/64-cidts

Are you a budding videographer? Like to get into editing short videos and documentaries? Looking for a way to empower your passion for mission with hands-on training and experience in video production? Why not join us for Media2Go 2013?

What is Media2Go?

Media2Go is a 6-7 week intensive media course and field assignment developed, facilitated, and staffed by Create Emerge (Create International).

M2G is a ‘feet-wetting’ experience in all aspects of documentary film-making—camera technique, audio, scripting and editing—geared towards individuals with a desire to document stories of transformation throughout the world.

M2G will provide an opportunity to experience working in a team environment, maximizing creative potential by blending complementary skills and giftings.

Invitation

We get pretty excited about our job: creating documentaries about people choosing to model their lives after Jesus in places most people try to avoid. Stories of ordinary heroes like these rarely make it into the mainstream media.

There are thousands of stories out there waiting to be told: stories that challenge, educate, inspire, awaken, and provoke response.

After seven years of going out and coming back with stories from Istanbul to Ulan Bator, Algiers to Amritsar, we feel like now is the time to send out the invitation that says ‘come with us’. The world needs more storytellers!

In April 2012 we ran our first Media2Go documentary training seminar which included a 2 week docu-trip outreach in Cambodia. We had 8 students from 6 nations, coming to us with a wide range of experience in mission and media.

It was an intense couple of months, chockers with teaching, hands-on production experience and a whole lot of doing life together in and out of the classroom. From the streets of Cambodia, to the late nights and early mornings behind the editing suites, Media2Go 2012 culminated in a film fest on the school’s final night, where each student had the opportunity to present their finished project to a jam-packed theatre (our dining hall).

The stories ran the gamut: some telling of hope offered to children trapped in cycles of poverty and injustice; others telling of land mine victims gaining employment and acceptance in a welcoming community; others portrayed the young generation of Cambodians teaching their own people the ways of Jesus.

Despite the frenetic nature of our first ever training seminar, we all survived (if only just) and learned a few things along the way. It’s all been a testimony to God’s goodness and faithfulness, and we’ve come away encouraged.  So much so, we’re already making plans for Media2Go 2013. Interested in joining us?

Topics we’ll be covering

Pre-Production / Pre-Trip Planning

Video Camera Operation

Audio

Photography

Post-Production

Creating with God

Biblical Understanding of Holistic Missions

Understanding Mobilisation

Dates

April 2013

Location & Format

• Pre-Trip Training Phase | 2-3 weeks* | Location Chiang Mai, Thailand

• Docu-Trip Outreach | 2 weeks* | Location TBD (most likely Asia)

• Post-Trip Training & Production Phase | 2-3 weeks* | Location Chiang Mai, Thailand

Pre-Requisites

Highly recommended: laptop with video editing software and digital camcorder or digital SLR camera.

Cost

To be determined

Application Process

Applications are being accepted for 2013.

*Dates, times, locations and costs are still being finalized.

Student Testimonies

“I always liked what the Create Emerge team does. Iʼve been impacted by the presentations, the films, and also the crew I met in 2007. Being in the film industry, I was very interested to see and put in practice Create Emerge methods during Media2Go. Safe, loving, lovely and personal environment, this seminar was a blast, and being able to put in image Christ-impacted life stories has been such a privilege and joyful creative process.”

DDC – France

“The Media2Go course is an absolutely amazing mind-blowing experience! I have never had any previous film making experience before this, and I have probably learned more in the last 6 weeks than I have in one year of school … spiritually, mentally, and physically. Itʼs been a jam-packed 6 weeks of learning, experiencing and growing deeper with Jesus.

…. “I can do all things through him who who gives me strength.” (Philippians 4:13) The girl that I ended up doing my documentary on would say, “God is not working in your mind box! God is not working in the box!” So true! At times we put God in a little box of what we think he can and canʼt do with us … but the truth of the matter is that God can do things with you that you never thought were possible. He can reveal things about yourself that you didnʼt know were there, He can give you skills in places that you had no knowledge …”

Jenn – Canada

“An information packed 6 weeks. Didnʼt think I could learn how to use such high-end equipment in such a short time. Was really impacted by the people I met and interviewed on outreach and am excited to see what impact our videos will have on others. Would recommend this course to anyone: both those interested in pursuing a career in film and those just interested in rounding out their artistic knowledge.”

Jillana – Canada

KB & AW– Create Emerge

by Joanne H.

"The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is preached to the poor." Matt. 11:5

From Chiang Mai city, our Create International DTS outreach team headed to the mountain tops, alongside a team from a local Chiang Mai Church. We visited a Karen village that they saw come to the Lord, from zero believers to now 70% being followers of Christ.

Fifteen years ago, when the village was in spiritual darkness, the local witch doctor decided that they all needed move up to the highest point in the mountains to get away from certain evil spirits. This put a heavy burden on the villagers to have to hike down 3 hours to their fields in order to do their work; then hike back to their homes at the highest point. They did this every day.

Old Witch Doctor Plagued by Evil Spirits

After the church team came to spread the Gospel, the village no longer needed to "flee" from evil spirits, so the church helped them move back to where they used to be, near their fields. The witch doctor also accepted Christ around a year and a half ago. Yet, evil spirits have appeared to him taunting, "Everyone here can become a Christian, except you!" Spirits in the shapes of men, women and children began visiting him more frequently. He became terrified, to the point where he was physically immobilized in his fear.

There is a big tree in front of the (now) village church where the former witch doctor had performed his spells and sorcery. As the CIDTS had spent some time hearing about this old man's story, someone on the team felt to lead him in a prayer of renunciation at the tree. The man was willing. He is blind in one eye, and only retains 20% vision in his other eye. He could barely speak at 90 years old. When we had asked him to walk, he could not even take one step. Lucy, our host, had to lift his feet up in order to put on his sandals. Someone carried the man all the way from his house to the tree. We led him in prayers of repentance and renunciation. Symbolically, with the village pastor, we held a rope as a symbol of the man's bondage. The pastor cut a piece, then handed it over to the man to complete the severance. He was "cut off" from his bondages! The former witch doctor whispered, "Hallelujah."

Once Set Free from Evil Spirits, the Old Man Walks!

We were about to carry him home, when he stopped us and mentioned softly, "I would like to walk." And ever slowly but surely, he began to walk up the hill! We could not believe our eyes! Glory to Jesus! The man got a bit tired, then sat down. He said to us, "I have not walked, or even been outside of my home, for over a year."

How beautiful to witness this former witch doctor now have complete joy in Christ. He has been made well. God used the location that cursed him to heal him.

Later that evening, we had planned on showing a movie -- "When the Storms Come," the Northern Thai evangelistic film by Create International. When we told villagers we had a movie, they gasped with excitement! Well, some of them had never seen a movie in their life!

We made invitations to each household, while others drove 3 hours away to fetch a generator. At night, with screens and portable speakers in place, the film began. We savored the faces and laughter of the people connecting with the messages of the film. They loved it, and it brought the Good News to them in a relevant way -- in a language and culture familiar to them. Though, 15 minutes towards the end, the generator ran out of fuel. One lady volunteered to walk in the dark to empty the fuel from her motorbike, so the generator could be re-fueled and they could finish the movie! That is dedication.

Villagers Gather to Watch the First Film Some of Them Have Ever Seen, and it is the Gospel Message!

"So do you have more movies?! they asked. "If you have, can we watch it now?!" Now it was quite late.

Perhaps for another time, the village pastor has invited our Create teams to come back to continue to model ministry and film-showings to 30 other villages in the mountainous area, some of which have not yet heard the Good News in a way they can understand. The Karen people are fired up to share the Gospel to their neighbors and other peoples in Northern Thailand. They desire to be mobilized!

On our final day in the village, the pastor asked our CIDTS team to run a church service at last moment's notice. Being good, flexible YWAMers, we obliged and it turned out to be a vibrant experience. All were enlivened throughout the testimonies, preaching, songs, prayer; even a kids' program using Create's Northern Thai animation clips. And in the end, we anointed every member of the church.

Showing the Northern Thai Film in the Village Church Service

We thought we were done for the weekend. Then, the pastor talked about a friend in another village nearby. Recently, this friend became a Christian, but also went to a tree and worshipped the evil spirits. Well, the evil spirits possessed him and he couldn't eat, drink or walk for some time now. At his house, all his relatives were gathered. While Sameh & David worshipped around the house, Fred and Tim led him in repentance, and then casted out his demons. Afterwards, they helped him up and he also began to walk. David continued to worship, while Sameh read Psalm 23 over the delivered man. We encouraged him to eat and drink to be strengthened. As the man bit into a piece of banana, he exclaimed it never tasted so good! His appetite returned visibly that moment.

As he ate his food, we encouraged his family to find someone to read the Bible for him regularly and pray for him. The pastor committed to follow-up. Before we departed, we prayed for the rest of his family and friends, and anointed them too.

"Oh, I feel the house is shaking… I feel like a new man!" he shouted. God delivered not just one, but two men from captivity, using us that weekend.

"Earth, tremble in the presence of the Lord, in the presence of the God of Jacob." -Psalm 114:7

It was an inspirational, uplifting time; and a great memory as outreach phase comes to a close. For more info on the upcoming CIDTS in 2013, visit www.createthailand.com/training  Email: cidts@createthailand.com

To get your own copy of the Northern Thai Evangelistic Film with English & Central Thai subtitles, or other evangelistic film & animation, mobilization & training videos, photo CD's, stock footage and more, visit our online store at:  www.createinternational.com/store

Free evangelistic resources for your outreaches can be downloaded from our website at  www.indigitech.tv

by Allyson B.

We were soaked before we even got started. I had predicted that arming DTS students with water guns and buckets was risky and I was proved right before I even entered the base. I turned to level the revenge only staff can on a student and found I was staring down the barrel of another staff member's water pistol. The epic shoot-out that followed was nothing less than expected during the Thai water celebration of the New Year.

New Year in Thailand is called Songkran. Following the traditional calendar of southeast Asia, New Year falls early in April. This ancient celebration, like everything in Thai life, begins with honoring family and inviting good luck for the upcoming year. The water represents a cleansing and the devout Thai Buddhists cleanse their household Buddhas with water and visit a temple to pour water as an offering. The throwing of water on one another originated as a blessing to share the proffered offering.

The modern festival has as much to do with blessing and offering as it ever did, but the gentle pouring of water on a loved one... well, that went right out the window. Songkran happens to fall right in the middle of the hottest weeks of the year. And Chiang Mai happens to be a city surrounded by a moat. And all the Thais and foreign tourists flocking to Chiang Mai for the holiday happen to like a good party. Put it all together and you have a three day city-wide water fight, the likes of which you will never find anywhere else in the world. And in this year of a lingering heat wave, we approached it with a bring-it-on attitude.

This year we were bringing something else, too. In 2011, Create International produced an evangelistic film in the Northern Thai language. The film, When The Storms Come, tells the story of a family dealing with some very prevalent Thai problems: alcohol abuse, violence and fear. A daughter, who has come to know the saving love of Jesus, travels home to her family, bringing a message of hope and help in time to prepare for a destructive storm that threatens their village.

At Create International, we work closely with cultural advisors when making a film to be sure that it is contextual and realistic for the people group. When The Storms Come has received excellent feedback. Once, I asked a Thai neighbor to watch it with me to see if it seemed authentically Thai. She shushed me through the whole thing. Every time I tried to ask if she liked it, or if this part or that was good, she wouldn't take her eyes off the screen and waved her hand at me to be quiet. In the end, she laughed at all the right spots, was transfixed in the serious moments and couldn't stop talking about Jesus.

For the holiday of Songkran, we took the idea of a water blessing and capitalized on it. We had over 1500 copies of our film made and put each one of them in a small waterproof bag along with a contextual Thai tract containing website links and contact information. We attached a small string, the type that Thais use to bless one another, and hung them around our necks. On the first day of Songkran, we grabbed 50 copies each and prayed over them, asking the Holy Spirit to guide us as we gave them away. We filled up our water guns and headed to find the action.

The nucleus of the celebration takes place at the moat that surrounds the old city. By 2:00 in the afternoon, it was barely contained chaos. Buckets of water were thrown on us while we were still on our motorbikes making our way downtown. People grabbed us as we walked, dumped buckets over our heads and pressed hoses onto our backs. The typical Thai reservation and politeness was nowhere to be seen. Perpetually respectful Thai children openly laughed at us as they aimed for the whites of our eyes. It was great.

The best part was when each skirmish was over. We wished them a Happy New Year and blessed them with a polite bow and the gift of a DVD. At one point I felt prompted to hang a copy around the neck of a little boy working a food stand with his mother. He looked as if I had given him a million baht and clutched the DVD like it was something precious. I can't stop thinking about him. Another staff member was led to give a copy to a monk on the steps of his temple.

Over the three days of the festival, we gave away all 1500 copies. Our fervent prayer is that the Lord will use these films to open the hearts of the Northern Thai people. Movies have a unique way of doing that, so we have great expectations. Join us in praying that the films make the rounds within family groups and friends.

And join us for Songkran next year. We'll need some extra hands if we want to unload the 3000 copies we're planning.

Calvin Conkey
International Director, Create International

Global Communication and Resources Centre (GCRC)
PO Box 46 Sam Yaek, Suanprung PO
Chiang Mai, Thailand 50201
International Mobile Phone: +66-801208030

Global website: http://www.createinternational.com/
20/20 Vision website: http://www.global2020vision.com/
Resource Distribution website: http://www.indigitech.tv/