EMDC 2019 Executive Summary
The Eurasia Media & Distribution Consultation (EMDC) 2019 took place at de Betteld Conference Center, Zelhem, Netherlands, (08-11 April). Here are some “Quick stats” followed by remarks from the chairman, and testimonials at the bottom. Please do not post this summary, as a whole, on any sites.
EMDC History
● 1st —Sept 2010, Germany, 130 people (32 organizations)
No pre-EMDC training (just 3.5 days of EMDC)
● 2nd—April 2012, Germany, 200 people (70 organizations)
3 Tracks of pre-EMDC training (video/audio/web, 75 participants)
● 3rd—April 2013, Thailand, 224 people (81 organizations)
9 Tracks of pre-EMDC training (120 participants)
● 4th—April 2014, Thailand, 320 people (99 organizations)
11 Tracks of pre-EMDC training (194 participants)
● 5th—April 2015, Netherlands, 380 people (130 organizations)
15 Tracks of pre-EMDC training (201 participants)
● 6th—April 2016, Thailand, 450 people (138 organizations)
14 Tracks of pre-EMDC training (270 participants)
● 7th—April 2017, Netherlands, 420 people (146 organizations) (Special note: over 30 registrants were unable to attend due to visa refusal or visa-related issues. EMDC worked hard to issue paperwork for 110 visas.)
15 Tracks of pre-EMDC training (230 participants)
● 8th—March 2018, Thailand, 725 people (193 organizations)
18 Tracks of pre-EMDC training (490 participants)
● 9th—08-11 April, 2019, Netherlands, 602 people (210 organizations) (Special note: over 55 registrants were unable to attend due to visa refusal. EMDC worked hard to issue paperwork for 195 visas.)
27 Tracks of pre-EMDC and post-EMDC training (400+ participants)
● 10th—30 March -02 April, 2020,Thailand (pre-EMDC, 25-28 March)(post-EMDC 03-06 April)
General Information
● The Steering Committee comes from: Evangel Bible Translators, SIL, IMB, AIM Thailand Foundation, TEAM, OMF, Relay Trust, International Teams, Faith Comes by Hearing, Galcom Int’l, M2M, and Frontiers.
● EMDC is self-funded, depending on volunteer helpers and a small registration fee. This fee is waived for many nationals, and only $60 for early registrants. This year over 270 people did not need to pay a registration fee.
● Visas: Fifty-Five registrants were refused visas this year. With help from Wycliffe-NL, EMDC was able to provide paperwork for over 195 visas.
● Around half of the participants are on-the-ground language workers, church planters, etc, and the other half are service providers & media experts/providers. The “media providers” may include distribution that is technical (audio-visual, apps, social media, or devices) or human/ cultural (orality, local arts, trauma healing, Scripture engagement, etc).
● Two typical EMDC scenarios: One audio recording specialist came specifically looking for audio project he would record for free. He left with several projects lined up. In-country, national workers came with an idea for a local video/film and met the specialist organization that will help them realize it.
● A typical networking effort (conceived at EMDC) is the Gospel Resource Hub Project. This resource directory exists to serve all at EMDC and others with a public list of discipleship resources available in multiple languages. For info and links to the directory look here.
● EMDC rotates from Europe to Asia. A core of about 15% attend annually, allowing 85% of attendees to see it as a biennial event.
Pre-EMDC Training Information
● The Trainers and assistant trainers for pre-EMDC training came from 23 organizations.
● The 27 Tracks (found here) were: (1) Video 1; (2) Open Bible Stories (cancelled); (3) Audio/Radio (4) Culture meets Scripture; (5) Web Development; (6) Orality/ Storytelling; (7) eLearning: Content & Curriculum; (8) Mobile Production; (9) Mobile Apps for Ministry; (10) Scripture Engagement; (11) Culturally Intelligent Media; (12) Scripture Engagement and Trauma Healing; (13) Social Media; (14) Animation; (15) Research (cancelled); (16) Bloom; (17) Scriptwriting (18) Bible Modules (19) Audio Recording Techniques; (20) Cultural Awareness; (21) Simply the Story; (22) Weavers: Conversational Discipleship; (23) Film Dubbing; (24) Artificial Intelligence/ Chatbots; (25) Virtual Reality (cancelled); (26) Refugees and Displaced Peoples; (27) Community Health Evangelism (CHE); (28) Local Arts for Better Communication (EthnoArts); (29) Trauma Healing Level 2; (30) Media to Movements/ Follow-Up.
● Nine Tracks we added for EMDC 2018.
● A Training Closure evening allowed the various Tracks to display the audio programs, videos (parables, modern humor, etc), animations, apps, eLearning games, web sites (and more) that the students developed in just four days. Several videos were produced in Track 1 (Video) and Track 14 (Animation). The videos from Track 8 (Mobile Production) were done on mobile devices. Several persons in Mobile Apps (Track 9) produced needed apps for local ministries and languages. The Web Track (Track 5) went live with new language sites.
● Many connections were made in the Training Tracks what will lead in the months ahead to smaller, in-country training and production events.
● For a better understanding of the difference between pre-EMDC training and EMDC here is a brief explanation.
● Over 400 of the 602 total EMDC participants came for the pre- or post-EMDC training; once again the final survey showed that the training was highly valued. Training is the key!
EMDC 2019 Information
● Attendees came from 77 countries.
● Each day started with worship and a devotional brought by four men from Eurasia. This year included songs and Scripture in several languages.
● The three morning plenary sessions were: Know Your Audience: Understanding Worldviews (David Gray & M.Y.); Hear Your Audience: Trauma Healing (Bryan Varenkamp & S.D.); Reach Your Audience: Media Methods and Follow-Up (Jon Ralls & J.S.).
● Thirty Affinity Groups (based on geography, technical, and social themes), allowed the EMDC registrants to find each other and organize into smaller groups. This year a new idea to give time on the morning of Day 1 for this made for better connections.
● Fifty-two workshops/seminars were facilitated by specialists in four main domains: Technical, Media, Social (Orality, Ethnoarts, cultural insights), and Engagement (Scripture Engagement, research, marketing).
● Seventy-three organizations had tables/booths, displaying their written, media, software, and hardware products that service many minority languages.
● Twenty-two persons each day gave their interesting Minute-at-the-Mic describing (with slides or videos) their products, services, booth, organization, and willingness to partner! Always fast-moving and fun. We implemented a new idea to do a better job of helping people find the MATM presenters afterward.
● Several organizations gave free or reduced-price material: listening devices, Jesus Film DVDs, new DVDs (with material available for dubbing), new books (available for minority-language translation), solar-powered rechargers (Megavoice), beta-version LightStream Pockets (Renew Outreach), Comic Bibles (Kingstone), Mobile tech toys (MMF), Bible Scroll (Micro SD card duplicator).
● The Mobile Media Forum (MMF) gathered “media stories” and gave away valuable techie gift prizes to 10 individuals who sent in their stories.
● Faith Comes By Hearing had a daily what-language-is-this-verse contest and gave away valuable gift prizes to the winners.
● Taste & See asked for uploads to the Scripture Engagement site and gave a huge basked of “Dutch Treats” to the winner.
● Over 100 people were able to build/buy a Bible Box (or connect box or similar) for the cost of materials! These Bible Boxes are great tools and will be used all over Eurasia to dispatch the Scriptures in several languages.
● Monday night was the Mini-Film, Mini-Preview Party including sixteen new film products. All reviewed products can be seen on the EMDC server.
● The EMDC survey (the survey was optional; this year we removed most specific numbers) revealed that:
Many persons acquired key ministry contacts
Many new partnerships were explored or established
Many persons conceived or developed a new ministry product
100% were satisfied or very satisfied with the overall experience at EMDC (that is a first, but what it is what those who did the survey told us!)
93% will likely or enthusiastically recommend EMDC to colleagues
92% would likely or enthusiastically attend EMDC again
● Informal, free, networking time and affinity groups scored highest on the survey and proved, once again, to be a mainstay of the gathering. Several people had testimonials similar to this: “This was actually a great time of connecting and injecting a new enthusiasm for doing what God has called me to.” (see many more below)
● Two organizations had regional leaders’ meetings before EMDC. EMDC assisted in logistics, housing, equipment.
● For EMDC 2019, a prayer chart was organized and 24-hour prayer was lifted up by dozens of people in various parts of the world.
● The EMDC data base has 1040 organizations and 3,800 names and continues to grow. We appreciate the (210 organizations) that attended EMDC 2019. The Steering Committee agrees to continue this training / gathering as long as we feel that the Lord is blessing it and using it for Christ’s glory.
Special Thanks:
The on-the-ground admin team did a fantastic job and a big thank-you is due to Jaime, Jana, Jenny, Richard & Linda. Thanks to Carolyn and Smitty and the GEM EuroTeam. Special thanks also to Wycliffe Netherlands for helping with visas.
Thanks to GemStone Media, Heart2Heart Media, 10X Productions, AGWM Media, Create Taiwan, and TEAM for stellar leadership in video/animation training, including the loaning and hauling of tens of thousands of dollars’ worth of equipment. This could not have happened without the leadership of Lauren B and Alex K (EMDC Training Coordinators).
The other equally-appreciated Tracks were led by personnel from: Radio Worldwide, SIL, Kalaam Media, IMB, Simply the Story, Regions Beyond, Create Mobile, TWR, Weavers, Light Of Hope Media, IAFR, CHE Network, Megavoice, Kavanah Media, Team Expansion, and Crosswired.
SIL-MSEAG provided IT support personnel (Tim and team). Cru’s Paul K helped with the registration site.
Many organizations contributed with cutting-edge workshops that received high evaluations from attendees: AGWM, AIM, Chasm Solutions, CHE Network, Create Mobile, Crescent Project, Crosswired, Cru, Digital Bible Society, FCBH, Finnish Bible Society, Frontiers, Galcom Int’l, IAFR, IMB, haemeullrich.com, Kingstone Comics, Lagrave Agency, Light of Hope Media, Matchstick Media, Mexican Medical Mission, Relay Trust, Renew World Outreach, SIL, Team Expansion, The Seed Company, VSN, Wandering Sheep, Weavers, WEC, and 10X Productions. Their presentations can be found on the EMDC-Hub site (as well as previous years).
For any questions about EMDC, or any desire to assist with training, personnel, or finance, please contact info@emdcon.org.
Steve B. (for the Steering Committee), May 2019
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Testimonials from previous EMDCs, with EMDC 2019 testimonials on the bottom………
…EMDC training was very useful for me, and I learn some new things. Specially about telling story through radio or how to make a video clip. My suggestion is that you should hold EMDC every year. With blessings…N. A (Afg believer).
The EMCD was quite informative to me… It was a highlight to me to learn and work together at this conference. Among them missionaries from different countries. There was opportunity to share our experiences…it was very good to learn about how to create a website. (For instance things like inserting audio, video or photos, making links). P.A. (Afg believer).
What a magnificent time we had together …All the details were spot on …I’m keen to write, through you to all who participated and thank them for welcoming Brad and me, would you be happy for me to do this? Tom Treseder, founder Megavoice.
Your EMDC team and SIL colleagues left a great impression on our Pamir team.
Thank you again for welcoming us and letting us participate in the consultation in this way. Arley Loewen OM.
With this I would just like to thank you and the team for all the hard work that made a success of EMDC … I will recommend to our mission’s leadership to try to have a representative at each future EMDC. Pierre van Vuuren, Word for the World.
Just to say I think your organization of this event – including getting us there – was brilliant! Margaret Hill, SIL Africa Area.
Just wanted to thank you and SIL for a very successful EMDC . … Really appreciate the fact that many MMB’s and indigenous people were present. The choice of the speakers were excellent. I really enjoyed the daily devotions and the plenary sessions…. I clearly sensed the presence of the Holy Spirit throughout the conference. For me as an MBB it is extremely important to see that “Foreigners” are united in their efforts to reach the unreached. Blessings to you and your team of organizers. Pashto believer.
…was very encouraged to see the level of cooperation and communication that occurred between participants… PK, Cru.
….conference made significant contributions through helping us to widen our vision, developing partnerships; imparting knowledge and skills… SJ, Indian national organization.
… allowed good net work opportunities with wonder[ful] group of people with lots of expertise… national director TW Radio in Levant region .
(pre-EMDC) …everybody who attended the training were excited and confident about building a website. Kudos to Kalaam team. (EMDC): …**It would certainly help me redesigning and reshaping the way I/we approach media and distribution options**. B.V., Media worker in Indian national organization.
It was one of the best conferences I have attended during the last 20 years of ministry when it comes to location, environment, facilities and program. The time for workshops and interaction (affinity groups) was so excellent and the whole set up of ministry leaders and fieldworkers gave nice opportunities for connections on all levels. I see that the training part linked to the conference play an important role also for the whole set up of the meeting. See you next year! Bengt-Ake Bengtson, IBRA Media.
Big events like EMDC are expensive. But the benefits far outweigh the costs in cash. I found that not only did I learn valuable stuff in the sessions and seminars, but above all I met many new people, and made excellent contacts. I feel it is the networking outside the sessions and over meals and coffee breaks that makes EMDC so worthwhile. A huge amount of cross-fertilisation of ideas, and many new links with organisations and people. David Landin, MissionAssist.
The one word that describes my experience at EMDC 2013 is fantastic! I was overwhelmed by the opportunities for networking, learning new things and being challenged by what God is doing through my brothers & sisters outside of the Americas and Europe. Claude Pratte, FLN, Square One Canada.
It was a nice experience participating in EMDC, especially the pre-EMDC training, affinity groups and time for networking. We would like to thank and appreciate the organisers for conducting such a wonderful event. We came to know about many new updates in media & technology arena and how we could effectively utilize these tools for ministry. We would like to partner with EMDC in conducting similar trainings to equip the leaders in India. It was a privilege to take part in EMDC 2013. Khuda sab ko aashish de..! Joshy Kurian, Operation Agape, India.
I believe EMDC falls in a rare category where a solid hands-on focus brings indigenous and expat field workers together with service ministries to work on an array of ministry solutions. And with a strong focus to include workers from developing and restricted regions, I believe for ministries like DBS the importance to listen to the field will increase the importance of participation! Hannes Furter, Digital Bible Society.
EMDC provides a venue for the sharing of cutting-edge ideas and technology that advance ministry. It is a place that a person can both give (by sharing what he is doing) and receive (by learning and hearing of what others are doing or advances that are being made). As a first-timer to EMDC I will admit, I was skeptical that this would just be “another meeting”. However, I was very much surprised. It is one of the most beneficial conferences that I have attended. There were workshops for many different areas of ministry. I found several that were not only informative, but extremely pertinent. EMDC also provided the framework and the time to network with others. Thank you facilitation team for making this possible. Jamie, Field worker Central Asia.
It was wonderful to be with likeminded people, learning from each other and sharing together our particular expertise, experience and /or opportunities and challenges. I was impressed with the spirit of humility with which every one interacted with each other. I took back with me so much that could impact and enhance our ministry. Next time I will bring more members of the team, so they could be inspired, informed and impacted. Mayukha Perera, BTB Sri Lanka.
It was very good. I am blessed with EMDC. EMDC encouraged me and make me known details of evangelism through media. Cyril T George, Operation Agape, India.
EMDC is a good blend of fellowship with other believers, networking with ministry partners, and learning/upgrading technical skills. I have sent four team members over the past four years, and I am glad I was finally able to attend myself. David Blake, SIL Island Asia.
During the 2014 Pre-EMDC I took the Video 1 training track. I thought I knew about video, but was I ever wrong. Tom S and my video team leader Ernie did a fantastic job of leading me through the complexities of script writing, shooting, editing and the works. About 10 days later I found myself in South Asia, teaching a group of high school kids and their teachers about how to produce a video. Thanks to Pre-EMDC Video 1 training I was able to help them learn the process and produce a fantastic localized version of “The Prodigal Son.” We will premiere this brand new movie in a couple of hours – thanks guys! DA, media leader for South Asia.
EMDC was a blessing to involved with. I have not been in a better organized and run conference. I enjoyed my participation as well as the workshops I attended myself. A blessing in every way. Jon Melin, By Design Visuals.
Testimonials from EMDC 2015
It was a time of learning what God is doing in Europe and Asia. It was time to learn how to be even more effective in our ministry that cannot be local anymore. Truly happy to see collaboration going in area of media mission. Anatoliy Glukhovskyy, Re-Con Media, Ukraine.
EMDC is a very well-organized and executed conference. The meetings and workshops exceeded my expectations. The rich concentration of ministry partners, both new and existing, is a wonderful bonus. Lori Koch, Faith Comes By Hearing.
The EMDC provides an amazing opportunity to connect with, learn from, and share resources with brothers and sisters from around the world who have a shared passion to use the tools ever-changing technology to spread the gospel and make disciples. –Paul D. Bramsen www.rockintl.org.
This was my first EMDC but certainly not my last. I appreciated the incredible groups and organizations in the room trying to advance the Kingdom of God, just as I was called to do. I made significant new contacts, with possible future partnerships, and found useful technology to apply in my field context. The time away from the rigors of work, were refreshing for many of us, particularly the worship moments. EMDC was a completely awesome meeting and experience, and inspiring to those of us tired and overworked on the field. The Lord blessed all of us in attendance at the meeting in 2015. -Brian Chapaitis, SIL, Papua New Guinea.
EMDC was awesome! I learnt much more than I expected and now feel equipped with many new tools. My relationship with God has been refreshed and I’ve thoroughly enjoined connecting with and getting to know others at the conference. NZ, Eurasia.
EMDC was characterized by a beautiful, collegial spirit of openness and obedience to the Lord. Stephanie Kraft, OCI.
This is where I go to get the tricks of our trade – advancing God’s Kingdom! Chuck D, C Asia.
EMDC was a wonderful mix of meeting the Lord and also practical learning to enhance ministry. The staff of EMDC and De Betteld were outstanding and nothing was too much trouble. Thank you for your sacrificial service. Bryan Thompson, Story4All.
We came not knowing about the Kalaam or Scripture App Builder. We learned that Kalaam had a much better platform for our existing website. With the training given by them and Richard and Paul and team, we feel we have new exciting tools to share the scriptures. DD, North Africa.
It was wonderful to see what people are doing for the glory of God and to learn more about possibilities of Media in missionary work. Not only the good stuff was shared, but also the struggles. Furthermore it was a great event to grow spiritually, thanks to David, who spoke passionately about his experiences. If I had to describe the conference in one word, it would be “Enriching”. – Andrew van Ingen, Tele-Vie-Deo.
The online training track was specific to what I was needing in order to make our SIL Course more available to the wider world population. We were able to make a key contact with another dubbing offering through meeting with the representatives with Deditos. I am not sure this would have happened otherwise. I look forward to next year to improve my skills and abilities to enhance the ministry of VM. Ken Morton, Director of Vernacular Media Training.
Steve knows my name; he knows everybody. It was my first time at EMDC. I very much enjoyed learning about the various media initiatives, possible partnerships, and hands-on instructions for different media tools. What got me excited the most was seeing the incredible creativity and talent brought together, people of the various forms of Script. engagement, language and media creation/production ‘talk to each other’, and the huge impact this consultation has and can have when being carried back to the respective geographical areas… TP, Pioneers, Asia.
This was a good experience in sharing ideas and tools to advance the kingdom of God through media. I am glad I came and will invite others to this event as well. SH, M Ministry leadership.
The EMDC is like “Media Heaven”! Meeting so many people who are all involved in Media production or distribution for the Kingdom is so inspiring and enriching! In today’s society, Media is an amazing tool the reach the unreached and EMDC is a great place to learn from one another and to explore and share resources. Thanks again Steve, for putting this great conference together! You and your team did a great job! Simon, OM.
The challenge, encouragement and potential partnerships from wide varieties of people at EMDC is a defining moment for the ministry into which the Lord is leading me and a few others. Dan Suiter, GoldenRipe.
EMDC provided many opportunities for me to meet people face-to-face with which I had only met online. I was able to strengthen those ministry relationships by moving them from “acquaintance” to “friend”. Nancy Keel, Founder, BibleTransmission.
Attending the EMDC is a must for anyone involved in language and media content creation and/or distribution! The variety and quality of workshops offered was impressive and the sense of community amazing! Thanks to EMDC, I feel that I’m better connected and equipped to tackle the challenges ahead. Many thanks to the organizers and teachers who helped make this such a great experience! Bernard Wagner, The Omega Audio Bible.
We made a very significant partnership connection with unfoldingWord… It could make a very important change in our specific strategy, which has come at a very important time. Thanks again for all your work to make EMDC possible, which made this partnership connection possible. Todd Price, Roma Bible Society.
As a technology guy for LBT… I had been watching the rapid growth of mobile with fascination… I knew that I needed to talk to people with experience that could help me put all of those pieces together. So in 2014 I attended EMDC in Chiang Mai and joined the pre-conference training on mobile apps… Since then, with full support from LBT, I have been helping Richard with Scripture App Builder. Paul Federwitz, Lutheran Bible Translators.
I attended the EMDC 2015 in Netherlands last year. After the training I organized five days training in my country on how to use mobile phone for the kingdom ministry to encourage all our partners to use their mobile phones for gospel ministry. It was very useful to my ministry. T T, Language /Church Worker, Ethiopia.
Many un-signed testimonials like these:
●The new contacts made were awesome. A confirmation of the direction in my personal ministry was established. The Holy Spirit’s leading of the Body of Christ in these last days can be seen.
● EMDC is one of the most significant mission gatherings in the world.
● EMDC brought together just the right mix of people to refine and affirm a new mobile strategy that God has laid on my heart. I also had innumerable opportunities to network. Each day I prayed that God would lead to the right people and each day without fail He answered! Thank You Lord and Thank You EMDC team.
● Thank you very much for organizing and running this conference. It was great to see the various projects people are working on and to network with others. I really enjoyed the few days at EMDC and look forward to attending again in the future.
● Thanks so much for the organisers who put SO MUCH into this. It is a fantastic conference. I am leaving feeling encouraged, inspired and full of expectations for the future days. Thanks and look forward to 2016.
● EMDC is one of the best way to connect with other ministries/people that are working to get the gospel to the field using digital/oral methodology!
● I enjoyed EMDC because it was a very multicultural experience and a great opportunity to see how others are creatively using media for evangelism and discipleship. It was a good balance between providers and users. I was able to learn a lot of new information that will apply right now to the job I was recently assigned to.
● EMDC is a key event to attend for those who want to effectively distribute the Bible and biblical literature, translations.
● I really liked the way those different organisations come together and worked together. This sort of link is needed, as we can’t be proficient in everything needed ourselves. Particularly bringing together anthroplogists, linguists, techie experts, tool providers and funders in one place, together with simple field people who don’t know much like me, has been wonderful!
● Time spent at EMDC very worthwhile and worth every penny of the cost. The value received is much higher than represented by my answers in this survey.
● EMDC was the best conference I’ve attended recently. A great place to connect with people, learn about what’s going on in our area of interest and to be surprised trough some serendipitous cross-connections.
● I gained new knowledge at EMDC that will help in my work. The most important thing for me was making new contacts that I can potentially work with on projects.
● EMDC exceeded my expectations and it was a real encouragement. Thank you to everyone who helped make this possible!
● It was inspiring to see so many enthusiastic people gathered in one place, who were willing to share with others their product or their expertise for free for the sake of the Gospel.
● EMDC was one of those mind expanding events where I was challenged and inspired both spiritually and mentally. God brought me into contact with a number of future ministry partners. I am excited to share what I learned with my colleagues….
● Pre-EMDC allowed me to learn new skills that I will definitely use in my ministry. EMDC gave me the chance to connect with new media providers and some old friends as well. Its workshops and plenaries opened up my mind and spirit to many new truths as well!
● It was a wonderful conference for meeting with new peoples about all world and learning so many new things about ministry and so many things…..
● I touroughly enjoyed my time at EMDC. I learned a new Skill, taught by motivated teachers with a servant attitude. The workshops were overwhelming and I will need a few weeks to filter all the rich content to plan for what I will use in my ministry.
● Great work, team. What models of servant-heartedness and other-centredness. I particularly enjoyed my personal interactions with various members of the leadership team, where I wasn’t left feeling like “just another delegate”, one of several hundred, but that I had been valued and known as a real person, a friend and colleague. Love the atmosphere that this created.
● Pre-EMDC was really good and I will be able to use that in the ministry. The networking was really good and this has opened a number of possibilities for me to partner with others and help them out in their ministries. Yes you can use my name in the testimonial. Thank you very much for your hard work. NO conference is PERFECT but EMDC came pretty close to being perfect…
● I had a great time at EMDC. I learned about many ministries that are doing things that could possibly help me in the future.
One anecdote from EMDC 2015:
A national worker, doing IT work in a limited-access country came in 2015 for Track 9 Apps and Ministry. He had attended EMDC 2012, the first year we offered any training. We asked him if he ever used the radio/audio training he got that year. He responded, “I came in 2012 knowing nothing about audio. I returned to my country and the next day began recording. Now, our whole ministry calls me “Recorder Man”!
Later letter about EMDC 2015
Dear Richard [Lead Apps trainer],
Thank you for your training in EMDC 2015 .. On March 23rd [2016] we are releasing 10 New Testaments Noble Apps in Indian Minority Languages for limited release … All translations are under CCSA License .. I have used Scripture App Builder for the same .. God Bless your efforts !
Binu, Bridge Connectivity Solutions,
New Delhi – 110075, India
Testimonials from EMDC 2016:
This was my 2nd time at EMDC and it was blessing for the 2nd year in a row for me. Hearing what God is doing around the word, and how technology is being used to reach the lost is just amazing! Gulshan Lal, Asian Concerns Int’l (India).
The Time at EMDC was helpful for learning new skills, building useful relationships as well as enjoying good time. Steve and the committee are very brotherly and willing to serve others and sacrifice comfort to help others. Raafat Fawzy, The Spoken Word, Egypt.
The ideas exchanged, networking opportunities, fellowship, and teaching was beyond what I would have thought possible for a conference such as this. I have attended other media conferences and they were merely okay. This is the complete package. It is my goal to return for another great conference in 2017. Sherrie, Arabic Bible Outreach Ministries.
That was an incredible moment, I learn much many experience; about video production: pre-pre production, pre production, until post production. Great job for all of you! Nuel, FEBC Indonesia.
What took me so long to attend this conference?!? The number of new contacts and high level on networking interaction alone make this worthwhile for me. Finally, a conference that gathers together my peeps from all over the world! Tim Cowley, Expat Media Pro.
I was so pleased to participate in this gathering of several committed and talented people , who have counted the cost and made tremendous sacrifices to work in unreached people and language groups . I feel the room was full of very precious and gifted people with great potentials. Alex Abraham, Operation Agape, India.
I attended EMDC for the first time and really enjoyed being there. The sessions were good and the networking was helpful. The arrangements were excellent. Though the event is run by volunteers, it seemed as though it was done by professionals in event management. Joseph Vijayam, Olive Technology.
I think this is one of the most strategic missions conferences in the world. The diversity of organizations by the geographic representation is extraordinary! Clyde Taber, Visual Story Network.
Thanks so much to all who worked to make this EMDC happen. It was an amazing place to meet people, communicate on important topics, and learn about loads of new things going on. Steve Quakenbush, SIL Int’l Scripture Access.
I wish I had known about EMDC 2 years ago. I’m glad the Lord enabled me to come this year. I’ve got to tell others about this vital resource. Ed Travis, Kartidaya, Indonesia.
As a first time Pre-EMDC and EMDC participant it not only met my expectation it went beyond. Tyler Hewitt, Pioneer Bible Translators.
This EMDC was my 3rd. ….I am also of the opinion that the time to collaborate and join efforts is now – there is no time and place for selfish games to enhance our own little agendas. We are in this space now to make an everlasting difference and complete the task in our generation. Thank you for all your hard work and preparations in order to make this yet another memorable occasion. Johan Louw, Davar Partners International.
As a Bible translator, I had been doing only the written translation but by attending the EMDC I got new ideas about doing different things like video, audio, animation, oral story telling, different mobile media and many others which is need of our community. In our community there are few people who are literate, so for the illiterate people we could do different thing and engage people with the scripture. All these I knew after attending the Pre-EMDC and EMDC. Aqeel Munawar, P-stn.
The whole Pre-EMDC and EMDC experience was far beyond what our organization had envisioned. We came to learn and we LEARNED. We were blessed and recharged as no conference before has done. Each member of our team was blessed …from Cambodia to Phoenix, and South Sudan to South Africa …we are all better able to serve since EMDC. Thanks to all the EMDC team…you are amazing!! Steve Evers, In Touch Mission International.
I learned so many things that I didn’t know I needed to know! Also, I would recommend the full 2 weeks (pre- plus regular EMDC), to allow time for information and potential partnerships to percolate. …how often I would find myself sitting or standing next to just the right person at just the right time. This kept happening, again and again, in sessions, on outings, at meals. God’s hand was so clearly at work… This event was productive for me in so many ways, both personally and professionally; a true time of refreshing. Eshinee Veith, Lutheran Bible Translators.
I was blessed by EMDC 2016 and learn so many new thing, after meet God’s servant from all over the world and know how they are fulfill great commission Math 28:19,20 and also suffer for Christ, we are praying every day for them. Thanks. Rev.Manoj Malaki, Delhi India.
One of the most well organised conferences I’ve been to. Information has been great both pre an during the conference. Wonderful to see such a diverse lot of ministries attending. Richard Daniel, CV Global.
I found EMDC to be fantastically helpful for making new ministry connections and finding new resources, friends and partners. I highly recommend it for anyone involved in missions! Liam Savage, OneHope.
EMDC was an excellent opportunity to network, be trained and equipped for Christian Media Ministry! We will come back and use this gathering in Asia for training of our local partners, as well as networking! Hans Olofsson, IBRA
Testimonials for EMDC 2017
EMDC is a fabulous conference, with plenty of time for productive networking with like-minded people, for brainstorming with others about collaborations and products we might create together, and for celebrating the role that creative, culture-appropriate communication can have in ministry! Dr. Robin Harris, Director of GIAL’s Center for Excellence in World Arts, Dallas, TX
EMDC brings together many people who are at the cutting edge of mission effectiveness. Nowhere else have I seen so much real work experience and insight in one conference. It is worth attending for the trading, for the workshops, for the plenaries OR for the networking. Getting all 4 at once–just the best there is. Dr. Wayne Dye
EMDC is one of the most helpful conferences I’ve attended. Each time I’ve attended I’ve learned new tools, gleaned new insights and been encouraged through personal conversations. I have already and will continue to recommend it to others. My thanks to each of you on the Steering Committee. You-all did an amazing job! Dr. Amy West
EMDC destroys fear and suspicion, as it provide validity for participant. Ordinary, it can be difficult for me to send email from Nigeria seeking partnership from the people that I have met and discussed within these few days. But now, EMDC had made that connection easy. Pray God to blessed all of these platforms for His glory in Christ Jesus. Iliya Dachung Yakubu, Nigeria
I wish I had more time to attend EMDC conference as well, not only the training, but I may say even the training was beyond my expectation, I was really thrilled to see 3 of our Apps uploaded to Apple Store and are ready for publishing. This was really a blast, and thank you very much for all your help. You may use my name. Samy, Mediterranean country
God moved mightily, made ministry friendships for a lifetime. I was DEEPLY touched by the commitment to Jesus Christ of all whom I encountered. Believe many will be touched for the Kingdom though God bringing all together. My hat is off to [the EMDC] team for all their preparatory work. Art Ayris, Kingstone Comics
Really encouraging to see and hear the many things that God is doing through his people. Graydon Colville, GRN, ION
In coming to the EMDC, my prayer was, “Lord, there are more people here than I can handle. YOU connect me with the people and ministries with whom I need to network, for the furtherance of YOUR kingdom.” He did just that, in ways I never could have imagined. Paul D. Bramsen www.king-of-glory.com
Some testimonials for EMDC 2018
If I only could choose one international conference to attend, it would be EMDC, especially Thailand. In 8 days I found new partners, developed better understanding of social media ministry and was re-inspired by the breath of what God is doing in Asia. I will continue harvest the results of what I learned and who I met for many weeks to come. Duane Troyer, IMS
EMDC 2018 was fantastic! It was great to meet people from other countries who are serving the Lord under trying conditions, and be able to give them useful tools for their ministries. I got a lot of ideas about how to improve our media products. Fellowship and worship was heavenly! Gerry G., GRN
EMDC has been a new face of mission frontiers. It is a catalyst for future mission through media. It connects you with like minded missions and missionaries. It equipes you and challenges you as to what extent you can take your ministry and media hand by hand. I am blessed to be part of two EMDC in the past, hoping for more. – Pr. G B Amar TILL India & ARAADHAK Ministries www.araadhak.org
This was one of the most fruitful conferences I’ve ever attended – my first EMDC. God showed up in a powerful way – in connecting me to people I’ve been wanting to meet and new people that opened up doors to serve better. Being in the Digital space and in an engineering / product role – this gave me a chance to be 1 degree away from field missionaries / ministry and get first hand understanding / knowledge of how ministry is done in this part of the world. Sway Ciaramello – Jesus Film Project
EMDC 2018 was an amazing event! The organizational aspects put together by the team were phenomenal! The networking opportunities were enormous! Phil Kenney, FCBH
EMDC was such a FRUITFUL, WORTHWHILE and EYE OPENING event. I appreciate all the organisation, administration, prayer etc that was put into making it WORK WELL. Simply organizing accommodation alone would have been a nightmare so THANKS!! There are so many people behind the scenes that need to be thanked and so thanks to all those who did jobs that no one noticed. You helped make the event such a special time. Thanks to the steering committee for your vision. Unsigned
Some testimonials for EMDC 2019
This was my fourth EMDC. I never want to miss in future too. The best place to learn about media and distribution. Never stop keep going. Unsigned
Was just Amazing the spirit of Unity and Help. Unsigned
I was thoroughly blessed meeting and sharing brothers from other parts of the world. What I take away is a burden to pray for people in the closed countries. Secondly as SteveB put it, to remember that each person is the only one better at what they do. I should be willing to learn from everyone. Unsigned
EMDC might just be best thing SIL Eurasia does because it enables so much actual Scripture Engagement.Unsigned
EMDC was an enriching experience. The interactions with people across the board was encouraging and insightful. The training and workshops were informative and helpful for further directions in my work context. The emphasis on keeping God and prayer first above technology was heartening. Anil John, India
I came to EMDC with one plan in mind and God changed my direction through a post-EMDC track change. It’s a direction change that I would not have wanted to miss! Unsigned
I know of nothing like it. Where else can you find such people all together employing the most cutting-edge technology, research, the arts, oral research, media familiarity, and the like for the gospel? I don’t know of anywhere. Unsigned
The vibrant dedication to obey Jesus for the glory of the Father was inspiring. Unsigned
EMDC is a fantastic opportunity for collaboration and cross-pollination across groups and regions. Unsigned
EMDC is an extremely special conference. I love the spirit and feel privileged to attend. Unsigned
It was great attending EMDC. I really enjoy the atmosphere and hearing of what God is doing worldwide. It’s great meeting people and being able to give them material for distribution. It’s intense but worth every bit of energy. Thank you so much for organising this consultation. Be blessed. Andrew van Ingen, EO NL
EMDC 2020:
25-28 March (pre-EMDC Training)
30 March – 02 April (EMDC)
03-06 April (post-EMDC Training)
Thailand