TV program production—our passion: Participants

A 3-day seminar is too short to learn production details for quality television programs. This was the observation of the participants to the TV production seminar organized by the communication department of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in central Philippines (CPUC), February 8-10, held at the CPUC headquarters, in Cebu City.

Devoted to skill enhancement, the seminar-workshop organizers and lectures employed theory and practice to learn the trade. “We aren’t here to be perfect but we come to catch the inspiration that we can do it for the glory of God and expanding His kingdom through television. Perfection, though, come through practice,” commented participants.

Pastor Anastacio Blasé, CPUC communication director, enlisted 39 participants from his region’s territory to go under the rigid training of three experts in video production. The lecturers were Nuelin Sanes, manager of Hope Channel Philippines studio located in Cagayan de Oro City; Johnster Calibod, chief editor of Hope Channel Philippines; and Arjay Arellano, a professional film director in the Philippines. Dr Jonathan Catolico, communication director for the church in the southern Asia-Pacific region (SSD), was also in the team of lecturers. He particularly guided the participants on the rightful use of copyrighted materials and adherence to media ethics.

The workshop enabled the participants to learn the use of a single or multiple camera(s), write scripts, prepare a story board, actual video shooting, directing, and video and audio editing. The workshop culminated with actual production of a Sabbath School study episode which was evaluated by the resource persons as “very good.”

The participants, communication directors and media enthusiasts in their mission fields, believe that “while the church in the
Philippines was quite late to use media for its missionary activities, employing them now will be to the advantage of the church.” This vision calls for resources dedicated to this method of proclaiming the gospel. “As communicators, let our passion go for programs that serve as alternative to morally wrecking television episodes,” participants further said.

As envisioned, Hope Channel Philippines is set to start production of programs for international and local viewing. The three regions of the church in the Philippines look forward to mustering volunteers with video production skills, including talents, who will commit themselves to helping produce a yearly one thousand or more 30-minute episodes.

Pastor Ron Genebago, communication director for the church in central Luzon, looking at the enormous challenge, calls for immediate implementation of the plans. “We’ll organize a pool of producers—to include graphics artists, editors, cameramen, and scriptwriters—and bring them to task,” he said during the producers’ meeting at HC studio, February 1-3. [AND Staff]

Myanmar Adventist Church holds health refresher course

A health program of the church is an effective tool in reaching out to the community with the gospel. Church members need to learn simple ways to attend to the health needs of their neighbors. To do this, church health leaders must initiate training programs that update volunteers with skills to do mission work.

On January 25-February 2, the Adventist Church in Myanmar (MYUM) conducted a health missionary refresher course that was attended by 49 volunteers, held at the Yangon Adventist Central Church. In tandem with the Adventist Southeast Asia Project (ASAP) and the MYUM health ministries department, the church pursued its objectives of equipping people to do missionary work more particularly reaching the un-reached areas of northeastern Myanmar.

In his opening address, Pastor Muller Kyaw, MYUM president, emphasized that “the medical work is the right arm of the church in evangelizing the community, and we believe that church work is enhanced by this ministry.”

“Church planting has been possible in several areas because we have first addressed the health needs of the community,” said Gavin Johns, MYUM philanthropic director and one of the lecturers.

Enthusiasm was high during the seminar and the participants openly appreciated the organizers for giving them the opportunity to learn basic health skills that “will go beyond our homes to the community.”

“We thank our health professionals who devote their time to train our volunteers. We are also indebted to our partners in the profession who continuously keep their interest in helping our beloved country of Myanmar,” concluded Dr Htwe Lay, MYUM health ministries director. [MYUM Communication Department]