HCJB Global, Feba UK Announce 'OneSheep' New Media Consortium

International (HCJB/MNN) ―Since when do sheep and unity work together?

Since HCJB Global and Feba UK have united in a special partnership called "One Sheep."

It's a collaboration that shares strengths and vision. Wayne Pederson, president of HCJB Global, explains, "Feba brings to the table the research and strategy they've created to use new media. What we bring to the table is the hardware and software and the know-how in creating the content for the new media."

Why re-invent the wheel? "Partnership is in our DNA," says Pederson. "Our mission statement is 'Serving with Global partners as the voice and hands of Jesus.'"

The collaboration came about because of some of the vehicles being developed for communication today: i-phones, i-pads, You Tube, Twitter, and Facebook. Pederson says it's a challenge to keep up. "Pray that God will show us how to use the new media to reach the next generation. We're all learning together on this, and in many cases, the commercial world, the secular world, the marketing world are ahead of us on this."

"One Sheep" has engaged a group of 20-somethings to help them visualize a new media strategy for outreach to the next generation. "It's absolutely critical if we're going to reach the next generation with the Gospel," Pederson explains. Traditional methods of sharing Christ may not reach them at all.

  

It could be argued that "the medium is the message." "We've got to be able to use these tools. Millennials are watching television less, they're listening to radio less, (and) they're getting their entertainment, their information, their inspiration and their communication with the new virtual media."

Effecting change and creating a dialogue space through the new media means the strategy must be regional. "Because our communication system has gone from 'few to many,' and now with the new media, it's 'many to many,'" notes Pederson, "each of our regions, each of our countries, each of our cities, each of our people groups is able to create podcasts to stream audio, to stream video in the language of the culture in which they are operating."

Teams won't just jump into the new media stream without help. Pederson says, "We are going to be creating a new media resource Web site that will coach and mentor some of our teams toward using social media in an excellent way. We're going to be presenting seminars and training events to build capability among our partners."

By jointly researching how young people communicate and consume media, HCJB Global and Feba will discover how to reach them with biblical truth. Together, the two organizations will learn how to present the Gospel in a rapidly-changing, increasingly-globalized and connected world. The group also welcomes other Christian organizations to join and participate.

The consortium will place a priority on projects that impact unreached and limited-access people groups. These groups are embracing new media, particularly that which is delivered via mobile devices.

The scope of the OneSheep new media consortium includes:

• sharing ideas, production, creation and delivery of social media content through the launch of OneSheep.org, a new media resource Web site
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• consulting, coaching and mentoring for project teams toward excellence in social media ministry
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• delivery of training to build capacity among partners and clients of both organizations in new media
• creating practical connections between online projects and offline ministry
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• filling skills and resource gaps in new media ministry.
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Lastly, Pederson urges prayer, prayer, and more prayer. "Jesus has called us to unity. That's the idea of the 'One Sheep' concept. We are all one flock. Our effectiveness in evangelism is going to be determined by how we can work together collaboratively and cooperatively to get the message out."

There's more here.

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Haiti (HCJB/MNN) ― Nearly two years after an earthquake shattered Haiti, the country remains fragile.

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9/11 Remembered

By Wayne Pederson
Special to ASSIST News Service


COLORADO SPRINGS, CO (ANS) -- Where were you on September 11, 2001? On that 9/11, I was involved in a meeting of National Religious Broadcasters in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Erwin Lutzer was keynote speaker. As we learned of the tragic attacks in New York, Washington, and Pennsylvania, we gathered the group and Dr. Lutzer began to teach of St. Augustine’s “City of God” vs. the “City of Man”.

A sight on 9/11 that we will never forget

This world is not our home. The City of God is real and permanent. The City of God is a heavenly and spiritual matter, as opposed to an earthly and political affair. The City of God was contrasted with and in conflict with, the city of men. But the City of God’s eventual triumph is assured by divine prophesy.

Our world has changed since 9/11/01. One can’t get on an airplane without thinking how our world has lost its innocence. And the attacks on our nation transformed America from the great benefactor of the world to a country fearful and suspicious of our international colleagues. Many call them “the enemy”

However, many mission organizations have chosen to not view people in these nations as enemies. Jesus taught to love our enemies and pray for those who despise us. He gave us the ministry of reconciliation.

A fireman surveys the devastation at the Twin Towers

In the last few years, HCJB Global has re-doubled efforts to proclaim the message of Christ through media and demonstrate God’s love through human care.

The verse I discovered in 9/11/01 rings true this 9/11. It’s Psalm 91:1. “He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.”

In fact, all of Psalm 91 is a statement of God’s shelter and protection. It might be good reading and reflection on this 911.

The Psalm goes on to state: “you will not fear the terror of night, nor the arrow that flies by day.


If you make the Most High your dwelling, even the Lord who is my refuge, then no harm will befall you, no disaster will come near your tent.”

This is better than taking your shoes off before your board an airplane. This is the calm assurance that God’s protection is worth more than the war on terror, or the TSA screenings.

---

Wayne Pederson is the President of HCJB Global (www.hcjb.org). As a longtime media professional, Wayne Pederson has a passion for reaching the lost through technology tools. In past roles, Wayne focused on media ministry in local communities through his years with Northwestern College Radio and Moody Broadcasting. He has also taken a national stage, serving with National Religious Broadcasters, Christian Music Broadcasters and Mission America. Wayne holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology and a minor in Radio/TV Speech from the University of Minnesota and a Master of Theology from Free Lutheran Theological Seminary in Minneapolis. He has served as an adjunct professor at Northwestern College and Bethel University. Wayne is a founding member of Need Him Ministries and serves on the board of National Religious Broadcasters. Wayne is married to Norma Pederson, and together they minister around the world to HCJB Global staff and partners. Wayne and Norma have two children, Christy and Michelle. They also are proud to have nine grandchildren. His e-mail address is: wpederson@hcjb.org

Libya transitions into hope

Libya (MNN) ― Mop-up operations continue in Libya after six months of civil war brought about the closing chapters of a 42-year-long dictatorship.

There are still daunting challenges ahead as the rebels try to build a Libyan state from the ground up. Wayne Pederson with HCJB Global says, "The concern of many of us that have been doing ministry in that part of the world is: 'What's next?' And, 'Could it be that something worse than Gadhafi could follow?'"

The system that governed the people had few checks and balances, which brings more challenges for solidifying unity among the tribes. Without unity, there is little hope for democratic change.

Pederson explains the perspective of the ministry and their partners at this stage of the country's rebuild. "Our hope and prayer would be that there would be a democracy created and that there would be freedom of religion and an end to the persecution of believers. There's a very, very tiny church in Libya. A friend from Libya told me there's about 4500 believers that he knows of, in all of the country."

Because Gadhafi crushed any civil society groups from forming, there's not much in the way of a transitional government root. Without leadership, there is a power vacuum forming. "What is it that's going to take its place. There's so much tribalism that the big question is: 'What tribe? What faction is going to rise to power, and what's their influence going to be over the freedom of followers of Jesus to practice their faith?'"

There's good reason for concern. A similar situation in Egypt was revealed during the "Arab Spring." Pederson says, "After Mubarak, there's even more persecution and limitations on the Christians--in particularly among the Coptics." He adds that already, "There's been more overt persecution and threats of violence against Christians. So, we don't know if this is going to make it better for believers. In some cases, it may make it worse."

And yet, there's hope. Libya's people want change. "By and large, I think you would find that followers of Islam arguably want to achieve peace, and they're looking for hope; they're seeking love." Pederson goes on to say that a common ground opens many doors of opportunity. "We are finding with our ministry and the ministries of others that are operating in that region that people are interested in Jesus as a prophet and as a great teacher, and they are intrigued by the concept that He might be the Savior of the world, the Son of God."

Libya ranks 25th on the Open Doors World Watch list of the top countries known for the persecution of Christians. Their history with believers has been a bloody one. Unfortunately, that's a trend likely to continue. "We've seen increased persecution of believers, because as the church has grown, authorities see the growth, and so they've stepped up opposition to stem the tide of Christianity."

In the drive for freedom, there is a yearning for something that frees the soul. Pederson says, "That's our task: to present Jesus in fullness, not only as a great prophet and a great teacher, but as the Son of God, the Savior of the World."
HCJB radio teams have responded by redoubling their efforts. HCJB Global added more broadcasts, more broadcast hours and more satellite coverage in order to reach more people with the Gospel. Pederson sums it up this way: "We feel that this is not the time to retreat."

An enthusiastic--albeit quiet--response provides the encouragement to keep going. Besides, Pederson says, the "bang" for the buck is huge in this region. "We know that we can reach over a million households in that part of the world with our budget of about a million dollars. It's still true that a dollar can reach a household for a year through media in that part of the world."

You can be a part of the equation for change in Libya, even as a new government forms. Pray for the freedom to follow Christ, but also pray for opportunities and open hearts.

Poverty battled with business

Haiti (MNN) ― The launch of a new entrepreneurship program in Haiti could mean more businesses and ultimately more jobs in a suffering economy.

Christian Entrepreneurs in Action was just launched last month in Cap-Haitien of northern Haiti. This program is grooming businessmen of Haiti to better the lives of Haitians in Christ's name.

The new program is partnering with HCJB Global, Partner's Worldwide, and eight other Christian Haitian businessmen. Together, since the launch of Christian Entrepreneurs in Action, they have provided jobs for 120 people.
This isn't the first time Christians have endeavored to train other Christian businessmen in Haiti. Partner's Worldwide has worked in Haiti by holding business training conferences.

A previous Partner's Worldwide conference took place in 2009 and was attended by 300 Haitian businessmen. Attendees were able to take place in networking and workshops. All the while, they learned how to approach business and entrepreneurship with a Christian mindset.

As evidenced by the positive reception of such entrepreneurial programs, more jobs and businessmen are in high demand for Haiti. Unemployment may still be as high as 70%, according to several estimates. Additionally, 80% of the population is below the poverty line.

To fight this depressing trend of extreme poverty, Christian Entrepreneurs in Action is currently working to recruit Christian business professionals. These business professionals would mentor and train entrepreneurs, and open doors for capital to start coming in for the program.

Bringing stimulation to Haiti's economy isn't the end goal. HCJB Global's mission statement for branches in Latin America state that they hope to "communicate the Gospel of Jesus Christ through education and discipleship."
Education in excellent business endeavors will do just that. When Christians can step up in the market of business for Haiti and start to employ needy members of the community, hopefully people will see their light in Christ set on the hill of business.

When others see Christians rising to high standards, it inspires higher standards in communities and makes people curious about the God who would instigate such passion in His followers.

Please pray for this newly launched program to recruit enough business mentors to train others to conduct successful, God-honoring businesses. Pray also that through business endeavors and life-action ministry, more Haitians would come to know the Christ who gives them the eternal riches of His kingdom.