Deeper Waters

4 minutes 30 seconds read

In each issue of Link this year we have been looking at different aspects of Deeper Waters, the exciting initiative to double the number of Unreached People Groups (UPGs) and places with whom we’re engaging as a movement over the next ten years. The initiative was birthed in prayer, and so, in the first part of this series, we looked at the importance of prayer; in the second part, we explored the importance of teams, realising that God’s ministry is a team effort. In this issue, we will have a look at the importance of media.

Alex, Area Leader for Pioneers Media, recently shared that, ‘Media is only a tool. We just need to make sure that we’re using the right tool. For some places you need an adjustable spanner, for others it’s a screwdriver.’

Mark, Pioneers’ International Director, agrees, ‘I continually hear stories from people in the hardest places, where you’ve got the church being persecuted; in the Middle East, in Africa, in Asia, media seems to be one of the tools. It’s not the silver bullet that’s going to fix everything, but it seems to be something that you would want in your toolbox to do ministry.’

So what do we mean when we talk about media?

‘Media is everything,’ Alex replied. ‘It can be this Link magazine, a prayer update; media can be podcasts, radio, television, and all of the stuff that happens online, in the digital space. When you talk about social media, people instantly think about Facebook, where people can see a post and interact. Sometimes media is a very simple advert asking one question – “Do you feel there is something bigger out there? If you’re searching, contact us.”’

He went on, ‘There are all sorts of different strategies in different areas. The key is, what is the best solution for that particular people group? Accessibility to media can vary significantly from place to place. We must be creative. A few decades ago, if someone had nothing and they were able to save a bit of money, they would want to get a bicycle, in order to provide transport; then it was a television. Now it’s a smartphone of some description, because people want to get online. But if you’ve got a really poor connection, the last thing you need is a big, fancy, colourful website with loads of videos; that’s just frustrating. A single page advert, with connection on something like WhatsApp, effectively a free service in many countries, can work really well.

‘In some contexts, you can do a lot online. Media is fantastic at providing information to people – researching a new computer, for instance; it’s also very good for when someone has come to faith – look at all the Bible reading guides, and even things that address preconceived ideas that have come out of someone’s previous faith.’

By itself, as Mark said, ‘It’s not the silver bullet that’s going to fix everything.’

‘It is still so important to actually meet with someone face-to-face. Imagine a team working in a particular area. The best use of media is to get those who are searching for the Lord, being prompted by the Holy Spirit, connected with someone on the team, who is full of the Holy Spirit.’ There is a personal, face-to-face interaction between the seeker and the worker; there is a possibility of community, and if the team is working towards church planting, and somebody comes to faith, well, it’s a ‘no-brainer!’

The media element is the connector, the bridge. Through using media, the team does not have to try and talk to a hundred and fifty people, of whom only two may be interested; they can concentrate on the two.

Pioneers Media carries out research exploring the felt needs in an unreached people group or place. Lots of questions are asked, including what is affecting them as a people group? – what is the socio-economic picture? – what stresses are they facing? – what are they looking for? The media team wants to share good news, but sometimes it is not perceived that way; it’s much better for the seeker to come searching. As far as any Pioneers team is concerned, they are relying on the Holy Spirit drawing people to them. If people are questioning things, they are not, at that time, recognising that the Holy Spirit is drawing them – they are simply looking for answers.

Without digging into specific UPGs there appear to be movements of the Lord in some of the really difficult, tricky places at the moment, in the deeper waters, where media is playing a significant part – in Central Asia, South Asia, the Arab world. In one North African country, the local Media Team, which recently saw three people come to faith from a Muslim background, is exclusively made up of local people who have come to faith; workers partner with them – they have got local knowledge and, as such, can avoid many pitfalls.

So when it comes to Deeper Waters, media certainly has a part to play – but the Holy Spirit is already at work.