Oklahoma professor applies video skills to Italian mission field
Professor and Hope Communications volunteer Mike Bruce conducts an interview on the streets of Rome, Italy. Mike captured video during a trip as he helped create advocacy materials for evangelism in the country.
Mike Bruce’s day job involves working as an assistant communications professor at Oklahoma Baptist University. Recently, though, he stepped off campus to meet the media needs of International Mission Board (IMB) workers in Italy.
Mike traveled to the country as a Hope Communications volunteer to assist IMB workers Marc Hooks and Paul Vosteen in documenting the spiritual status and culture of the people. Marc and Paul are based out of Russia and Germany, respectively, and both serve on the European Peoples Forward Communications Team.
“This trip was a great opportunity,” Mike said. “I’m excited about the opportunity to partner with IMB personnel through Hope Communications to provide media services to field missionaries in Italy.”
The group traveled through the country with their cameras to capture images for advocacy videos and slide shows that encourage volunteer involvement in Italy’s 20 regions and the Vatican City. In Naples they met with workers who reach out to Neapolitans, and in Rome they observed how missionaries interact with university students.
Together they created the Viva Italia vision trip video, which takes viewers through parts of the country and tells how believers in America can make a difference in Italy through prayer and by going on a Taste of Italy Vision Trip, Sept. 30-Oct. 11.
“When a pastor (or) volunteer … sees this (video) they will immediately see the need and know how they can respond,” Paul said, “so that if/when they do come to Italy, they will know where to start and who to start with.”
In addition to the Viva Italia initiative, Hope Communications provides another route volunteers can take to be involved in missions. The network is a growing body of volunteers who want to use their creative talents to meet the needs and tell the stories of international missionaries.
“Media professionals (and enthusiasts) in America … can play an important and active role in overseas missions,” Marc said. “Every skill and craft can be used for reaching the world for Christ, and Hope Communications allows them to use those skills on a global stage while at the same time continuing their work in the local (American) church.”
Learn how to be a part of this volunteer network at HopeCommunications.org.
Those interested in the Taste of Italy Vision Trip can go to the Viva Italia Prayer Initiative Web site or e-mail viprayer@gmail.com for more information.
Posted by Natalie Kaspar on May 4, 2009
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