I know for myself during this time something changed in my life. I started to talk about media missionaries to anyone who would listen. I, too, was convinced that if we were going to change the world we were going to have to tackle the issue of the ever-expanding media culture. I believe the key is to train, equip, and develop media missionaries who will enter into mainstream media to create art that reflects God’s glory and truth.
As I started to talk to people, most were convinced I had lost my mind. Why would we want to send our young people into such an ungodly environment? What good would come of it, and how could God use entertainment for any good whatsoever? But, again, God was doing something. He has his plan regardless of whether or not we agree with it. In fact, I hadn’t even read Bob Briner’s book and would not discover it for another five years.
Looking back now, you can clearly see the hand of God at work. The evidence is overwhelming. Not only was God moving to call Christians to Hollywood, but he was also moving on the hearts of nonbelievers to produce material that reflected Biblical values. In 1999 alone, more films were being produced that related Gods’ truth than in the entire decade. Was this by accident? Or was it a move of God’s Spirit? Something was happening.
Also during this time, several Christian ministries like Act One and Hollywood Prayer Network opened their doors. And more Christians felt the tug to enter into the mainstream arena of entertainment and media. They may not have clearly understood what a media missionary was supposed to do, but they knew God was moving in some fashion.
Maybe you are part of this new movement. Believe me. You are part of something big. It is perhaps our last best hope. Nothing happens by accident. I’m convinced God has a plan for media, and it is part of the next great revival to sweep our culture. In fact, I’m not sure revival will come without a response to our current media culture crisis.
So here’s my advice. If you believe you are a media missionary, or if you are already working in the industry and trying to understand what your purpose is, don’t let anyone talk you out of your determination to be a media missionary or to try and change your direction. Don’t compromise. Stand firm and be determined to follow God’s plan. After all, his plan is the best plan. Trust me. There will always be somebody who will come along and try to convince you that you are on the wrong path or that’s it’s impossible to serve God while working in Hollywood or the mainstream entertainment industry. Don’t take the bait.
Here’s what I think God is saying to us. Make sure that you have been called to be a media missionary. The calling is essential and is a necessary requirement if you plan to work professionally in the entertainment industry. Here’s what a media missionary is not about. It’s not about a genre. Whether you make a comedy, a drama or even positive value or family-friendly programming isn’t important. Don’t get caught in this trap. It’s also not about a rating. It’s not important if the project you are working on is rated G or R. That’s not the issue. It’s also not about whether or not the project contains Christian content or not. You can make a film that is more Christian in nature than most “Christian” films which contain overt Christian themes and content.
A media missionary sees no division between the sacred or secular. It does not exist. All forms of entertainment and media are capable of reflecting God’s truth and glory. That’s what God is trying to get across to us if we are willing to listen. In fact it’s very Biblical.
For the media missionary, everything therefore becomes an act of worship to God. This is a revolutionary concept that will transform your life if you will truly understand it and embrace it. The entire idea of a media missionary starts with this concept.
Here’s where we get off course. When we fail to allow the Holy Spirit to control and direct our lives, we start to focus on what we want instead of what God is doing. As a result, we become ineffective as media missionaries. That’s not what God wants. Sure, we might create media that’s positive or uplifting, but is that really going to make a difference? God is moving, and something is happening in the entertainment industry. We need art that reflects God’s truth. In order to do that, we must come to the place where we see God at work in the entertainment industry. He’s already there at work. All we need to do is to adjust our lives to fit his plan and join him in what he is dong. It is never the other way around. When we do this, we are functioning as media missionaries. It’s not about what we want or what we think will be successful or commercially viable. We must leave that up to God.
His Spirit has been pouring out for nearly 20 years. He is looking for a generation of committed Christians who are not concerned with their agendas but only with what God is doing in the world. Media is the battleground for the 21st Century. It more likely will be the determining factor for what the Body of Christ will look like in this century. You are part of something huge. Be encouraged and determined to follow this pathway even though there will be challenges and obstacles. Something is happening in our culture, and it is the rise of the media missionary.
If you feel this is talking to you, let me know. That’s why we are here at media missionary school—to help you in your journey. Contact me at harold@surfthezone.com.
God is moving and pouring out his Spirit on Hollywood and the entertainment industry. But here’s the question. Is this movement continuing to expand and grow or has it reached its pinnacle? I don’t believe there is any clear indication either way. But I am convinced there are five key points that will determine the future of the movement.
1. When the Body of Christ tries to take control of what God is doing, then the move of God will end. This is a fundamental truth. Every major move of God or revival has ended when man has tried to take control. The movement then becomes more about what we want than what God is doing in the world. In other words, it becomes man driven rather then Holy Spirit driven. Why do we feel the need to institutionalize movements or turn it into a programs? Instead of trusting God, we turn our focus to logic, reason and understanding.
History teaches us that God uses the most unlikely people to start his revivals and movements. But as the move of God matures, we decide we must legitimize it by taking control and bringing in the PhD’s and others that we think are qualified to manage what God is doing. It happens every day in churches and ministries throughout the world. And it can and will happen to what God is currently doing in Hollywood and the entertainment industry if we don’t guard our actions and motives.
2. This movement is not about projects but about people. We must invest our time, energy and resources into developing people as media missionaries. The movement stops when it becomes about projects. A film or television show may have a very short shelf life or lasting impact. But a media missionary’s career could span thirty to forty years. Imagine the influence one person could have over a lifetime of work. If the movement has any lasting impact, it will be in the form of the people who emerge from the movement.
3. This movement requires a commitment to education and training. What will be the story of these future media missionaries? Do they have the ability to express God’s glory and truth in their work? Without training, it would be like sending a fireman to a fire without a hose. What would be the point? It’s not enough to teach future media missionaries how to direct, shoot or edit. They must understand their role and purpose. Hollywood and the entertainment industry can be a harsh environment. They also must understand how to survive in this industry. The entire point of our ministry here at Media Missionary School is to help raise up, equip, train and support future media missionaries.
4. This movement will not reach its full potential until the local church becomes involved. So far, there is no evidence that suggests the local church is actively involved in what God is doing in the entertainment industry. That must change. Without boots on the ground or the local media missionary actively working in the local church, the movement will eventually come to a standstill. Their work is essential. The local media missionary does not have to be a media professional but can be someone who has a burden for the media culture crisis and has a calling to reach his or her church so that the Church can be engaged in what God is doing in Hollywood and the entertainment industry.
In my new book, A Media Culture, Crisis or Opportunity, I have laid out practical solutions for the local media missionary so they can empower the local church to become actively involved in this movement. By creating film nights, prayer groups, film camps and mentoring programs, the local media missionary will provide the resources which will allow this movement to grow and expand.
5. Christians working in Hollywood and the entertainment industry must recognize their responsibility to this movement in order for it to grow and expand. Currently, Christians who are working in Hollywood have many different views about their role and purpose. We need a clear direction that allows us to mobilize and commit to a common goal and strategy. Some estimate that over 5,000 Christians are working in Hollywood. But only a few hundred are functioning as media missionaries. How do we reach the others who go to work every day but are not connected to the community of believers working in the industry? Or how do we get everyone on board with a common goal and strategy? This movement will grow only if current Christians who work in this industry decide to give up their personal agendas and commit to what God is doing and mentor the next generation of media missionaries.
That’s why we need Media Missionary School as a base training ground where future media missionaries can be equipped and trained in all aspects concerning how they can join God in what he is doing in Hollywood and the entertainment industry.
God is moving and at work right now. Are we ready to get prepared to join God in what he is doing or to provide support for those who are called by God to go into this mission field? The future of this movement depends on the answer to these questions.
