The Power of Story and its Modern Day Delivery Channels
I came upon this image of our founder, Reverend Richard Wurmbrand (circa 1960s), portrayed as being engaged in delivering what would by today’s standards be considered an antiquated radio broadcast, and I was simultaneously captivated and transported to another time and place. It was 1971 on any given night of the week in Siloam Springs, Arkansas. I was a teenaged student working as a disc jockey at the campus radio station of John Brown University, reaching out nightly to the over five thousand residents of Siloam Springs, a charming Arkansas town about 85 miles from Tulsa, Oklahoma. The university was (and still is) a proud southern Christian institution with a great faith heritage that, in those days, was renowned for its specialization in media, music and broadcasting (my fields of study and, ultimately, expertise).
In those days, my radio “station” (and I use the word advisedly, relying on my failing memory for some of the detail) was a one-man operation consisting of two turntables, a bank of eight-track cartridge machines (now I am showing my age), a “ticker-tape news-wire” service, one RCA speaker cabinet (mono, of course), and an old RCA “tube/ribbon” microphone. The tube transmitter with antenna was hung off the back of the chapel building that housed the radio station. It would be an exaggeration to suggest “The Voice of Canada” (that was my “handle,” if you’ll excuse the adolescent self-adulation) was a hit in town, but there were many who listened in as we mixed James Taylor’s Fire and Rain with the truth of the Gospel of Christ expressed through a range of Christian programming.
It’s hard to imagine the advancements in media technology since those humble analogue beginnings, and the power that has been placed in the hands of many modern-day communicators by accessing the global phenomenon of digital media distribution. You may recall my article, The Media as a Shepherd, which was published in the September 2013 issue of our VOMC newsletter, wherein I concluded that digital media (in all its present forms) has become, in part, a deliverer of anti-truth messaging due to its quality and ubiquity – to the extent that it now portrays an alternate reality. In the article, I referenced the following Scripture passage of Ezekiel 34:1-2 (NKJV) to emphasize my concern over the potential corruption in the realm of persuasive “storytelling” which is increasingly prevalent today as the media becomes likened unto a shepherd leading a flock.
“And the word of the Lord came to me saying, “Son of man, prophecy against the shepherds of Israel, prophesy and say to them, ‘Thus says the Lord God to the shepherds: “Woe the shepherds of Israel who feed themselves! Should not the shepherds feed the flocks””
Now hearken back to the foregoing mention of Richard Wurmbrand’s image. In and of itself, the real-life story of Richard and his wife Sabina was powerfully transformational in any format. But Richard had to subscribe to the mediums and delivery platforms of his day in fulfilling his vision to not only serve those who are persecuted for their faith in Christ, but also to faithfully honour them and our Lord by telling their story (in respect to VOMC) to the Canadian church. To date, Richard’s book, Tortured for Christ, has sold over ten million copies, revolutionizing the “Western” church with a “wake-up call” to reality.
My September 2013 article, which also referenced Ezekiel 34:23-24, reminded us that God will overpower the false prophets who, by contrast, tell compelling and tempting stories to lead us away from the truth.
“I will establish one shepherd over them, and he shall feed them — My servant David. He shall feed them and be their shepherd. And I, the Lord, will be their God, and My servant David a prince among them; I, the Lord, have spoken.”
Today, VOMC has access to a world of modern technologies and a unique prowess in telling the transformational stories of those who have been, or are being, persecuted for believing and following Jesus Christ. We also have God’s unlimited perspective on creativity in the art of storytelling, as we are literally akin to “The Creator.” In the months to come, I will continue to share with you some of the unique opportunities in media and communications that we are exploring as a ministry. May the Lord God bless and keep you and your family as you faithfully strive to serve with us in God’s VOMC mission.
- Doug
