Seminar: "Development of the media ministry in the UECB”

The leader of the seminar was a member of the media committee of the Russian UECB,  pastor of the church in Novocherkassk Vladimir Romanenko. In his opening speech, the he noted the importance of using media and the need for its development in our modern world.

The editor of the official website of the Russian UECB (baptist.org.ru), the editor-in-chief of the Word for You portal (word4you.ru), the author and host of Russian Christian Radio programs (rcr.ru), Denis Gostev presented the media ministry of the Russian Union of Evangelical Christian Baptists.

The speaker noted that the Christian community media should pursue three goals:

• Apologetic - Defense

“…always be ready for anyone who asks you to give an account of your hope, to give an answer with meekness and reverence” (1 Peter 3:15)

• Evangelistic - Outreach

“Go therefore and make disciples of all nations…” (Matthew 28:19)

• Unifying

“Let them all be one…” (John 17:21)

Further, three types of media representing the ministry of the UECB brotherhood were presented: print, electronic and video .

Today, the UECB publishes the magazine "Christian Word" quarterly, as well as monthly - the newspaper "Missionary News." The Decision Magazine, published monthly by the Revival Mission, and the Gospel Behind Barbed Wire magazine, published six times a year, is published by the Evangelical Appeal Mission.

Despite the rapid development of electronic media, print media continue to be in demand. They perform a representative function, acquainting society with the Good News and the life of the UECB churches. Plus, printed publications are in special demand today where access to electronic media is limited.

Among the electronic media representing UECB, the official website of the RS ECB - baptist.org.ru was noted first of all. On the pages of this resource you can get acquainted with the news of the brotherhood, announcements of events, official documents, interviews with ministers, electronic versions of print media, addresses of churches, photo and video materials, and you can also learn in detail about the various areas of UECB ministry.

Speaking about the electronic media of the ECB, one cannot ignore the Christian information and educational portal "Word for You" - word4you.ru . The content of the portal includes: news of the Christian world, announcements of events, interesting facts from the world of science, statistics, articles, photo reports, video conversations, information about churches and Christian organizations in Moscow, as well as audio sermons, of which more than 14,000 are published on the portal.

Speaking about video, Denis Gostev presented the video service of the Russian Christian Radio (RCR) - rcr.ru.

The video materials produced by the studios are divided into two areas: testimonies and thematic programs

The testimonies include the programs "Chosen" - testimonies of turning to God (hosted by Natalia Chernyakova - 297 programs) and "Life" testimonies of God's miracles in the life of Christians (59 programs).

Thematic programs of Russian Christian Radio cover a wide range of issues of theology, history and practice of Christian life.

• "Fundamentals of the Faith" - 20 conversations revealing the foundations of the Christian faith
• "Boundary" - searching for a boundary between concepts that are close in meaning, but different in essence (65 programs)
• "Messianic Prophecies" with Maxim Ammosov - Is it possible to obtain information about the Messiah-Christ using only the Old Testament? (9 programs)
• "Love and Youth" with Sergey Filinov - the principles of premarital relationships (15 programs)
• Chagim with Maxim Ammosov - a Christian view of Jewish holidays (8 programs)
• "Laws of Counseling" with Ruslan and Elena Nadyuk (5 programs)
• "Five" - ​​5 principles of the practical life of a Christian (17 programs)
• "Song of Songs" with Sergey Filinov and Maxim Ammosov - study of the book Song of Songs verse by verse (8+ programs)

The author and presenter of the above programs is Denis Gostev.

A coordinator of the youth ministry of the UECB, a servant of the Moscow Central Church, Sergey Meleshko presented the directions of church media ministry.

1. Social networks, mailing lists, website - regular publications under headings, informing about the schedule of services, advertising, mailing lists website development
2. Video - creating a YouTube channel, producing videos in series and one-time
3. Broadcasts – organization of regular live video broadcasts
4. Printing and informational stands - printing of booklets, periodicals, updating information stands, creating merch/swag for representation.
5. Audio - recording and publishing sermons, seminars, musical compositions
6. Onscreen Presentations - preparation and demonstration of presentations and slides

Sergey also presented practical steps to implement the above directions and noted that the most important condition for the successful work and development of media ministry is the presence of a cohesive and creative team of like-minded people.

At the end of the seminar, Vladimir Romanenko invited each participant to think about their place in the media ministry of their church and the UECB as a whole.

Denis Gostev also said that in March 2023, the Third All-Russian Conference "The Church and the Media" is scheduled to take place. Both active media ministers and those who have no experience, but have a desire to become part of this necessary and important ministry, will be able to take part in the conference.

More detailed information about the conference, including the topic and date, will be published on the official website of the UECB baptist.org.ru.