Lecture Summary
Here are the lectures from this year's Lausanne Media Engagement Forum.
Experience lectures filled with deep insight and innovative creativity at the forum!
Day 1 / 9.30 MON Media Awareness
presentation 1
Raising voices of influence through
the Lausanne Media Engagement NetworkRudolf Kabutz
The Lausanne Media Engagement Network empowers Christian voices to influence society the media with Gospel values. We focus on personal development in media discernment, equipping churches and communities, and enabling positive media engagement across all social spheres. Utilising a "tree model," we illustrate how an understanding of deep-rooted media influences can lead to fruitful outcomes through effective communication channels. Our desire is to support and collaborate with communicators, fostering a community that engages media critically and constructively for an impactful Gospel presence.
presentation 3
Media Choices for Awareness of Media Messages and Gadgets
Phillip Telfer
New technologies bring both blessings and burdens. How can we use technology for good without allowing devices to take control over our lives. Learn practical tips to keep media under our control instead of being under its spell.
presentation 2
Engaging with media critically and creatively
Lars Dahle
We need a threefold media engagement approach:
(a) Media awareness: We need competence in media literacy and media critique, to relate to media messages, media technologies, and media usages in a meaningful and relevant way and with Christian integrity.
(b) Media presence: We need to be present as salt and light in the whole spectrum of mainstream media, affirming truth, human dignity, and meaningful relationships, and modeling professionalism, authenticity, and relevance. We also need to equip talented Christian communicators to live out, share, and defend biblical truth in such shared public arenas with conviction and grace.
(c) Media ministries: We need to develop holistic and creative media approaches for communicating the biblical gospel through personal, church, and mission platforms and initiatives.
presentation 4
The Essence of Media Ministry
Hyun jin Yoon
1. The Mission Field of Our Time
2. The Land called Culture
3. A Rapidly Tilting Playing Field
4. Case Presentation
5. Essence of Media Ministry
case study
Key values and worldviews in the Disney universe
Margunn Dahle
The Disney Universe is a highly influential global media agent in the everyday lives of children, tweens, and teenagers. After a brief summary of significant values in this fictional universe as a case study, this talk introduces a three-dimensional worldview approach for media engagement in youth ministry and includes illustrations of how this three-dimensional approach to media engagement may be applied in youth ministry.
presentation 5
Engaging with media for involving young people
Mary Lee
If there is a media team in the group, how should the media team be established in God? What should be prepared and how should they move forward together? Through collaboration with Lausanne Media Engagement, I would like to share my training experience in media as young generation and how to form and work together with a media team comprised of the young people.
case study
Reading good books as an antidote to digital media influences
Maggie Gathuku
Nicholas Carr's The Shallows posits that the internet is leading to a decline in deep thinking and critical analysis. However, reading, particularly of complex and thought-provoking texts, can serve as a powerful antidote to this trend. Christianity is a book faith and draws not only the benefit of the message but also the medium- the book!
We belong to this present world saturated with media. How is the internet deteriorating our minds? How can reading counter the effects of digital media on our brains? How does the Gospel promise hope for the redemption of the mind?
1. The power of biblical meditation: Reading abstract texts requires sustained attention and concentration. This can help train the mind to focus on a single task for extended periods, countering the constant distractions of the internet.
2. The gift of a sober mind: Human flourishing is premised on the gift the mind as intellectual beings. Morality is a function of the mind as well. The internet inadvertently tainted with sin that depraves the mind.
3. Engaging the culture: Reading complex texts exposes the mind of the believer to intricate worldviews, complex sentence structures, and nuanced arguments. This can help develop and maintain the cognitive capacity for deep thought and analysis. Engaging with worldly ideas and arguments can stimulate critical thinking and analysis. Reading can foster the ability to evaluate information, propaganda, identify biases, and form evidence-based faith.
By cultivating a Christian mind, we can resist the shallowing effects of the internet and develop the depth of thought, critical analysis, and spiritual discernment that are essential for living a meaningful and fulfilling Christian life.
Day 2 / 10.1 TUE Media Presence
presentation 1
Engaging international students missionally through media messages
Euna Bae
Media, music, and entertainment culture have a powerful influence on young generation of this era. We should not view this influence merely as a trend or only from a perspective of darkness that binds this generation. Rather, from the perspective of God’s heart and plan for the nations and for the next generation of the nations, media, music, and entertainment culture can become powerful tools for God’s kingdom. They can effectively lead young people scattered across the nations to God, transcending geographical and cultural differences. We must reclaim these areas, which God has given us but which have been taken by the world, and they must be used as weapons to lead lost souls to salvation in the hands of Spirit-filled people of God.
presentation 2
Bearing witness to Christ in the marketplace of ideas
– Doing apologetics through media. (Acts 26)Lars Dahle
The Cape Town Commitment emphasizes that “we long to see greater commitment to the hard work of robust apologetics”. Christian apologetics has a key function both in pre-evangelism, evangelism, and post-evangelism contexts. (a) In terms of pre-evangelism, apologetics has the role of answering questions and objections to the Christian faith as well as the role of public agenda-setting.
(b) When it comes to evangelism, apologetics is commending the Gospel as true, good, and beautiful, and clarifying the truth-claims of Christ.
(c) In post-evangelistic contexts, apologetics is concerned about affirming and equipping the Christian believer. This talk explores how these key apologetic tasks may be done through media.
presentation 3
Media Relating With and To Children
– Involving Children in Creating Movies and Creative DiscipleshipPearl Ganta
To help children everywhere walk with Jesus, it's essential to understand their world and leverage innovative tools like media for effective discipleship. Neglecting to disciple children (under 18) leaves their faith vulnerable to being shaped by the world around them.
Children are not just the future Church—they are part of the Church today. They have the potential to lead, create, and share the Gospel through media, but they need intentional equipping and guidance. In this session, Pearl Ganta highlights the importance of involving children not just as consumers but as creators of media that shares God’s message.
Join this session to discover how media can become a powerful tool for nurturing children's spiritual growth, helping them develop their gifts, lead others, and make disciples in their own generation.
presentation 4
Global Mission Strategies and Examples
in Animated Contents for ChildrenJong ho Baek
His Show is a Bible animation project that commenced in 2011, beginning with the production of 24 Bible animations under the title "His Show Bible”. Since its inception, His Show has provided a wide range of animations, worship songs, and educational content to Korean churches. The His Show Sunday School curriculum, designed to serve church schools of all sizes from preschool to high school, offers a comprehensive 15-year program currently utilized by over 2,000 churches.
His Show is now extending its mission to global evangelism by localizing and disseminating the diverse contents originally developed for Korean churches into the languages of mission fields. This initiative began with the Mongolian language and is currently expanding to include Hindi, Vietnamese, and Portuguese, with plans to further broaden the linguistic reach.
This lecture will explore the impact of evangelism through contents and present case studies on the production of His Show's global mission contents.
case study
Using movies to address social issues
Making Films with other organizations to address social issuesAlex Ganta
Today, we’re diving into the impactful role of film in addressing social issues. Movies have an extraordinary ability to not only entertain but to spark awareness, ignite dialogue, and inspire change. When we collaborate with organizations dedicated to tackling pressing social challenges—whether it’s poverty, inequality, climate change, or human rights—film becomes a powerful tool for advocacy.
In this presentation, we’ll explore how films can shine a spotlight on critical issues, provoke deeper thinking, and move audiences to take action. We’ll specifically look at “Apnao-I too need a family” a short film created by my company in collaboration with other organizations. Film can be more than just art—it can be a catalyst for meaningful societal change.
case study
Media engagement for youth with the “Readership Challenge
Gathuku Kibunga
The Readership Challenge is an effort to help young Christians see the centrality of reading and literature in forming their faith. The Readership Challenge seeks to help students develop the lost art of reading beyond school requirements or just exams, pursue alternative entertainment to the largely decadent material commonly available, give students access to wholesome reading that does not compromise their Christian Walk, provide an antidote for the effects of digital entertainment, provide a way to keep kids engaged in worthwhile pastime as well as learn to internalize biblical truth packaged in contemporary contexts. Timazi Africa has been running this challenge since 2013 among High School students in Kenya. In this lecture, Maggie Gathuku will show a case study of this event and explain how it is done, citing impact over the years and sharing how the Korean Church may adopt some of the ideas for their teenagers.
presentation 5
Educational and Mission Strategies
through Media Communication in Multicultural SchoolsKyung jin Lee
This lecture will address the challenges associated with missionary activities in Korean schools and propose strategies for education and evangelism that leverage media communication within multicultural environments. It will emphasize the importance of respecting religious freedom and cultural diversity while highlighting methods to facilitate students' engagement with Christian values in a manner that honors their cultural backgrounds, utilizing digital platforms and interactive media.
Day 3 / 10.2 WED Media Ministry
presentation 1
Equipping “media users” to become “media contributors”
and then “media influencers” for impactRudolf Kabutz
We desire to guide media users to become impactful contributors and influencers, fostering a discerning engagement with media informed by Biblical principles (1 Thessalonians 5:21). We aim to create relevant, innovative messages with clear communication (Ephesians 4:29, Matthew 5:37), empowering others to share the Gospel's renewing power (Isaiah 58:12). By building a network of equipped individuals and Christian leaders, we seek to articulate and spread the Gospel effectively (Colossians 4:3-4), nurturing a media-savvy community that mentors key media influencers for communicating well for Christ.
presentation 2
Delivering God's Heart and the Gospel Message
to the World through FilmsKi Woong Nam
We express the grace that has been poured to CEO Nam Ki-woong and Connect Pictures, and through films that embody the heart of God and the message of the Gospel, we convey the healing and restoration that the Lord offers to those in the midst of despair.
presentation 3
Parenting in a Digital Age
Maggie Gathuku
The rapid evolution of technology has ushered in an era where families are grappling with the profound effects it brings. We find ourselves constantly immersed in the latest technological marvels, yet we lack a comprehensive understanding of their potential impact on us and our children. In this lecture, drawing from diverse practitioners and her own experiences, Maggie Gathuku underscores the role of each one of us in establishing and upholding appropriate boundaries for technology within our homes. She emphasizes the urgency of preventing technology from impeding our growth and that of our children in critical areas such as character formation, community building, and self-identity. This is especially crucial for children and teenagers who often seek validation in the virtual world of social media.
presentation 4
Equipping Pastors for Using Creative and
Innovative Media to Reach and Disciple People including Young PeoplePearl Ganta
This interactive workshop will provide pastors and church leaders to engage through creativity and media. Participants will learn how Jesus used innovative teaching methods and will explore creative solutions for modern ministry challenges.
Innovation in the church goes beyond simply adopting media and technology, it’s about using them effectively to disciple and equip all generations for the challenges they face today and in the future. Empowering the youth to lead will transform the church into a place where their creative talents are encouraged and used for God’s glory.
case study
How Do We Keep People in the Center of Outreach,
Instead of Focusing Only On the Media Technology?Philip Telfer
Jesus came to save humanity by taking on flesh and dwelling among us in person. Are we becoming overly reliant on technology and less adept at personal interaction? Learn how today's disembodied media is limited in being able to fulfil the Great Commission. Discover what Jesus taught about broadcasting and the difference between scattering seeds and making disciples.
case study
Pastoral Ministry and Personal Branding Ministry Through Social Media
Ye chan Hwang
Current trends in social media ministry and attractive personal branding strategies through the case of Korea's largest Christian channel, Churchsoulmate
presentation 5
How to tell stories and testimonies well through Media
Alex Ganta
This presentation will dive into the art of telling live stories and real-life testimonies effectively through media. Sharing someone’s personal journey—whether it's their struggles, triumphs, or moments of transformation—brings their experiences to life in a way that inspires, heals, and connects.
But capturing these stories well is more than just recording moments. It’s about conveying raw emotion, authenticity, and the essence of their truth in a way that resonates with an audience. We'll explore techniques to craft impactful testimonies, build emotional connections, and use media tools like visuals and sound to enhance their power, ensuring the story truly sticks with those who hear it.