Our Ministry
An Update from the Executive Director
Rev. Dr. Don Johnson
Several months ago I received a call from the producer of a series distributed to PBS stations called, “Visionaries.” The series is presented by WGBY in Springfield, Massachusetts and narrated by actor Sam Waterston. The program focuses on telling stories of positive change by profiling organizations that are making a difference in the world. They had come across our organization while doing research through the web. That led to the call to me.
After several follow up calls to determine if we fit their profile of non-profit organizations to highlight, they decided to work with us to feature our ministry on their program. It means that they will film in three of our ministry locations over the course of two days in each site and then edit what they have filmed into a half hour documentary that they will release across the country on public television outlets.
As you might imagine, the opportunity to have our ministry featured on public television across the country is unique and an opportunity we could not pass up. The benefits go beyond the promotion of our ministry. We will receive benefits from having our ministry filmed by state of the art technology that will enable us in the future to better tell our story at a time when innovation in technology is changing the landscape.
As we all know, the world around us is rapidly changing. More and more people are getting their news and information via the internet. Some people who study trends even visualize information coming more and more through the internet, e-books etc. It is for this reason that we as an organization will need to be aware of this change and adjust so that we can tell our story more efficiently and in ways our donors acquire information. The technology left with us as a result of our relationship with PBS will be a crucial step for us in telling our story better.
By the time you read this, the project will have begun. Please pray that God will bless this filming venture as well as our efforts to raise the funding necessary for the project. We estimate the cost to be around $100,000 for filming, editing, logistics etc. The sites selected for the video shoot are on-board the MV CHRISTIAN in Southeast Alaska, the LIGHT House campus ministry at Haskell Indian Nations University in Lawrence, Kansas and the Olympic Peninsula ministry in Neah Bay, Washington.
On another matter, we are in the process of devising a partnership with Zion Lutheran Church in Fairbanks, Alaska that would have Pastor Dave Sternbeck and his wife, Rosemary, serve as associates with the congregation and to accomplish broader ranging mission outreach to Alaska native people in central Alaska. This is still in the early stages of development and we will have much more to share later.
We are very appreciative of your faithfulness in supporting this ministry. May God bless you!