Walk His Trail Interview Cont.

EGM’s Walk His Trail: Bill Oechsler Q&A

Q. Why is it important for pastors to present the Walk His Trail Movie Message Series at this time?

A. While the story may be more than half a century old, it continues to positively impact individuals, families and communities. The Walk His Trail Movie Message Series can align with ministerial programs, cut across cultures and generations and reach out beyond the church to those in the surrounding communities. It’s a way of helping congregations experience this true and incredibly inspirational story in a new way and, perhaps, for the first time. Of course, the real impact of this program will be realized in the teaching and preaching experiences at the local church level.

Q. Does the Walk His Trail Movie Message Series stand alone, or are other resources required?

A. Designed specifically for pastors as a teaching/preaching resource, the Walk His Trail program contains three-parts that can stand alone or work as a complete “movie message” series. Creative and archival assets from the making of the feature film and two documentaries help illustrate and dramatize essential biblically based themes and messages. Of course, we expect some will be drawn to learn more about and dig deeper into the story. For them, there are our three films, assorted videos, books, journals and much more. 

Q. What would you personally like people to take away after experiencing the Walk His Trail Movie Message Series?

A. While on a mission trip in the mid-1980s, I met a woman who recounted an amazing story of her life in the Amazon jungle living with the tribe who had killed her brother. Her name was Rachel Saint. Some 20 years later, the ad agency where I worked helped to launch Beyond the Gates of Splendor and End of the Spear. Now, a year ago, I was part of launching The Grandfathers here at EGM. And just recently I accompanied Steve Saint and his son, Jaime, on the Walk His Trail UK Tour. After almost 30 years, the story continues to challenge, inspire and encourage me. I simply desire the same for others.  

This may be used with permission, credit given to EthnoGraphic Media 2012 www.egm.org

ICRS Orlando 2012

Hello Media Friends,

Make plans now to attend the International Christian Retail Show July 15-18 in Orlando, FL, where you can connect with leading Christian thinkers, artists, and ministry leaders. We will have compelling stories to share that will be trending topics for your audience, including fair trade in action, a Christian film festival and inaugural film awards, new consumer research by the Barna Group, new fiction research sponsored by Thomas Nelson Inc., children’s trends research by childhood education expert Mary Manz Simon, and more.

Christian stores help provide the economic network that enables such broad production and distribution of Christian ideas, new voices, and missional outreach that supports missions, churches, ministries, and other service. 

According to various studies, Christian consumers say they learn about resources in Christian stores almost as much as they do from friends and family.

Because we value your work and respect your need for efficient work areas, you will have access to free wireless Internet in the media room if you wish to post daily stories, access electronic media kits, or check e-mail. Free beverage refreshments are provided. 

ICRS 2012 Orlando is the place to connect with leading voices regarding the Christian faith and tradition – including every aspect of the Christian Retail industry, ministry, and business leadership that will interest your audiences.

Fair Trade:

A special emphasis on fair trade business will include hands-on demonstrations by fair trade beneficiaries whose lives have been changed by ethical business practices. The Fair Trade in Action exhibit shows how stores are and can be participating in economic development in emerging economies – development that often helps people escape prostitution, drugs, human trafficking, and other ills common in impoverished nations. Christian stores, as partners in ministry, enable many missional programs dedicated to local and international ministry service funded through store proceeds and programs. Fair trade items have been a recent addition to many stores and this project will encourage more retailers to get involved.

ICRS Film Festival:

Take the opportunity to enjoy premieres of upcoming feature films and DVDs that are part of the new Resonate Film Festival at ICRS. This will include comprehensive information on all Christian film media events at ICRS. The inaugural Resonate Film Awards will be presented to highlight new films that bring positive life messages to a struggling culture. 

Children’s Trends:

In a time when some parents delay naming newborns until they check domain name availability -- the first step toward Internet identity -- the family is being reshaped and redefined. Mary Manz Simon, Ph.D. and early childhood education expert will explore implications of screen-hopping digital natives at the beginning of the digital age in a special session featuring research findings and product-trends examples.

New Research:

Thomas Nelson commissioned research on Christian fiction readers and will reveal surprises regarding reading habits, especially among young readers. CBA commissioned consumer research that includes how Christians’ media usage is changing and how they relate to new media technologies. 

Award Ceremonies & Concerts:

Author groups will present top literary awards to leading authors, and important keynote speakers will talk about writing and publishing issues at key events, such as The Christy Awards, The Golden Scroll Awards, and more. Check the Exhibitor Events schedule to gain insider looks at new releases, national projects, programs, and to meet the authors and artists behind them. Check out the New Voices concert after Sunday’s worship service to see up-and-coming artists you soon will hear online and on the radio.

We hope to see you in Orlando. If you need help or have questions, please check with Marianne Filary (mfilary@tbbmedia.com cell (616) 540-3679) or Diane Morrow (dmorrow@tbbmedia.com  800-927-1517, cell (817) 319-9805) of The B&B Media Group.

Safe travels to Orlando!

Curtis Riskey

CBA Executive Director

Beth Wiseman Bio: Her Personal Crisis

When a personal crisis tested and strengthened her faith, award-winning journalist Beth Wiseman was advised by her agent to consider writing a Christian novel, particularly an Amish one. Encouraged by her agent’s urging, she began exploring the Amish lifestyle and soon developed a great appreciation for the more peaceful way of life. In 2008 Wiseman wrote her debut novel, Plain Perfect, featuring the Amish lifestyle within the context of a fictional love story. It was a bestseller, as have been all of the full-length novels and novellas she has written since. 

While Need You Now is Wiseman’s first non-Amish novel, she is confident it will not be the last. She is already making plans to write a second contemporary novel in the near future. Like Need You Now, it will also be set in small-town Texas, a familiar background she thoroughly loves exploring and writing about.  

Wiseman’s previous releases have held spots on the CBA (Christian Booksellers Association) and the ECPA (Evangelical Christian Publishers Association) bestseller lists. In 2010, she received the INSPY Award for Amish Fiction (chosen by blog reviewers). In 2011, she received the Carol Award and was the Inspirational Readers Choice winner for her book Plain Paradise. Her novel Seek Me with All Your Heart was the 2011 Women of Faith Book of the Year. In addition, Wiseman has been a Retailers Choice Finalist, a Booksellers Best Finalist and a National Readers Choice Finalist. Prior to becoming a novelist she received many honors for her work as a journalist, including a prestigious First Place News Writing Award from the Texas Press Association.

Today, she and her husband are empty nest parents of two grown sons, enjoying the country lifestyle and living happily with two dogs, two cats, two pot-bellied pigs, two chickens and a single pygmy goat in a small community in South Central Texas. Along with writing, she enjoys cooking, reading, traveling and watching good movies. Her favorite pastime, however, is spending time with friends and family. 

In her first novel not set in an Amish community, Wiseman spins her well-honed characters and setting into a thought-provoking message that not only makes the reader ponder his or her own relationship with God, but also sheds light on the little-known disorders of using self-injury as a way of seeking relief and high-functioning autism. Need You Now is the perfect read for anyone who has ever questioned life and God’s will.

*The first half of the book will be made available in digital format (e-book) to readers from all major e-book retailers for only 99 cents.

Need You Now by Beth Wiseman

Thomas Nelson/April 17, 2012

ISBN: 9781595548870/320 pages/paperback/$15.99

www.ThomasNelson.com - www.BethWiseman.com

Walk His Trail Interview

EGM’s Walk His Trail: Bill Oechsler Q&A

Q. What led to the creation of the Walk His Trail Movie Message Series?

A. The Walk His Trail Movie Message Series was inspired by the true story of five American missionaries speared to death in the Amazon jungle in 1956. We captured the fullness of this transformative story in three films, Beyond the Gates of Splendor, End of the Spear and The Grandfathers. Our desire is to freely share this incredible story with as many people as possible. We also want to serve pastors by gifting them with a unique teaching and preaching resource based on the story. Finally, we hope that the themes and messages will have a meaningful, lasting impact on those experiencing it. 

Q. You are sending pastors a teaching and preaching resource that includes elements from three of your films. Why not just make the films available for event screenings and DVD sales?  

A. The Walk His Trail Movie Message Series explores the themes of sacrifice, reconciliation and heritage. These are especially relevant to biblical teaching and inspirational preaching. It’s really an excellent resource for pastors to share this remarkable story with their congregations and communities. Using Steve Saint as the first person narrator throughout the series only strengthens its meaning and significance.

Q. How exactly is the Walk His Trail Movie Message Series being distributed?

A. We plan to mail a free copy of the DVD-based program to 50,000 pastors in the United States. Again, there is absolutely no cost to these 50,000 U.S. pastors. 

Q. How can you give 50,000 copies of the program away at no cost?

A. As an educational nonprofit, EthnoGraphic Media relies on the contributions, underwriting and sponsorships of others. A generous donation made the Walk His Trail Movie Message Series possible. The donor—who wishes to remain anonymous—was inspired by the story and wanted to ensure others could to experience it for themselves.


This may be used with permission, credit given to EthnoGraphic Media 2012 www.egm.org

Testimony on iTunes

www.ourcircleoffriends.org/

The companion worship CD, ‘A Place To Belong’, was birthed out of the knowledge that music is so often used by God to solidify a written and/or spoken message.  Dawn Yoder and I have been blessed by the friendship and songwriting partnership God’s given us, and songs like Let Us Bow Down, Lifting My Praise Up and I Found Grace (Circle of Friends theme song) are reflective of how, by finding a place to belong, we are inspired to share encouragement, while keeping our focusing on worshipping in ‘Spirit and in truth’.  We’ve selected the beautiful new worship anthem, Thank You For The Cross, co-written by our producer John Hartley (Matt Redman, Tim Hughes, Chris McClarney, Leigh Nash, Sheila Walsh), to give thanks and celebrate Jesus having given us ‘a place to belong’ through His sacrifice at Calvary.

This new Circle of Friends CD is available online through lifewayworship.com and iTunes – it can also be purchased through your local Christian retailer.

We’d like to thank our friend and ministry partner, Craig Adams from LifeWay Worship, for taking note of what God is doing through our music and the Barbour book A Place To Belong.

DVD series FREE for pastors

Does your pastor blog? Free DVD series to any pastor who will post a review on their blog by June 8. Forward this offer to your pastor today! ______________ Pastors Click Here to complete your request. The deadline for posting your review is June 8. Please send links of your review to rroberson@tbbmedia.com (Only available to residents of the U.S. & Canada) Feel free to share this offer with other pastors. A Heritage Born of Sacrifice and Reconciliation 50,000 U.S. Pastors to Receive EthnoGraphic Media’s Teaching/Preaching Resource Throughout the world, spring signifies a time of renewal and regrowth. For Christians, the season reflects the promise of new life through the crucifixion, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. This May, pastors will receive a special gift to support their efforts in meeting the spiritual, emotional and relational needs within their congregations and communities. The Walk His Trail Movie Message Series from EthnoGraphic Media (EGM) will be given away free of charge to 50,000 U.S. pastors. This three-part series offers an innovative way to teach and preach about deep sacrifice, true reconciliation and a lasting heritage. The Walk His Trail Movie Message Series was inspired by the true story of five American missionaries speared to death in the Amazon jungle in 1956. EGM captured the fullness of this transformative story in their three films, Beyond the Gates of Splendor,End of the Spear and The Grandfathers. The spirit of these films and this program is best revealed in the words of Mincaye, one of the tribal killers: “We acted badly, badly, until they brought us God’s carvings. Now we walk His trail.” “While the story may be more than a half century old, it continues to positively impact individuals, families and communities,” explains EGM’s president, Bill Oechsler. “Our hope is that the Walk His Trail Movie Message Series will align with ministerial programs, cut across cultures and generations and reach out beyond the church to those in the surrounding communities,” Oechsler continues. “It’s a way of helping their congregations experience this true and incredibly inspirational story in a new way and, perhaps, for the first time. But the real impact of this program will be realized in the teaching and preaching experiences at the local church level.” Designed specifically for pastors as a teaching/preaching resource, the Walk His Trail program contains three parts that can stand alone or work as a complete “movie message” series. Creative and archival assets from the making of the feature film and two documentaries help illustrate and dramatize essential biblically based themes and messages. Steve Saint, son of one of the martyred missionaries, serves as a first-person storyteller throughout the series. Recalls Saint, “Over the years, many have sympathized with our loss, but they could never have imagined our gain.” Of course, pastors have the option of disabling Steve’s narrative to lead the message themselves. The Walk His Trail Movie Message Series is a one-of-a-kind program with the ability to draw large, diverse audiences into the church, connecting on a heart-level around the messages of sacrifice, reconciliation and heritage. Beginning in late May 2012, 50,000 U.S. pastors will begin receiving the complete DVD program. EthnoGraphic Media is an educational non-profit organization that explores the critical issues of our time. As a community of artists and filmmakers, EGM uses media to tell true stories of hope and compassion in the midst of suffering and strife. EGM believes that gaining a deeper understanding of the human condition inspires positive action. Other film projects include Little Town of Bethlehem, The Grandfathers, End of the Spear and Beyond the Gates of Splendor.

Globequake Q&A Continued

Q. How would non-Christians benefit from reading Globequake?

A. In addition to working and teaching in churches, I am also a leadership speaker and management consultant for businesses and other institutions. I present management and employee workshops based on the principles outlined in Globequake, but without “religious-speak.” That’s because these principles are applicable everywhere. They don’t belong to any one culture, but are ancient, enduring, and relevant to all. 

Q. What is your greatest hope for the book?

A.  My greatest hope is that readers would see that the Kingdom of God and its eternal principles are our true and only hope midst a world in upheaval. I would hope people would grasp that biblically revealed Kingdom principles are not “religious” truth reserved for theologians and preachers, but for everyone—church leaders, parents, school administrators and teachers, politicians, corporate executives, their managers and employees. Finally, my hope is that readers will take practical steps to implement the Kingdom principles described in Globequake, and find strength and stability while the world around them is in upheaval.

Q.  Is Globequake a “gloom and doom” book like so many others on the current upheaval or do you give your reader reason for hope?

A. In the introduction to the book, I wrote it was my prayer that the reader would see that the end of the journey for a person anchored in Christ is the realization and consummation of hope— no matter how hard the shaking along the route.

The joy on people whose worldview is framed by Christ as they ride the roiling tsunamis spurred by the Globequake is not because they live in denial, or simply don’t know what’s going on. They do know, at a level the rest of the world doesn’t. And in that knowledge they have found the kind of hope that gives them strength, sanity and stability in a crumbling world. Hope is being sought by all of us and just as it has been present in all of turbulences that have occurred throughout our history, it can be found in this current Globequake. 

www.ThomasNelson.com

www.WallaceHenley.com