IMM (BGMC Sunday, August 30, 2009)

How many love TV, Movies, CD's, Computers, and the Internet? I think most all of us enjoy some, if not all of these forms of media. IMM (International Media Ministries) is all about using these tools of the trade to reach people all over the world with the message of what Jesus Christ has done for them. Even though IMM is located in Madrid, Spain, they actually go into every country, even where missionaries aren't allowed to go, because of TV, radio and more!

IMM helps to train our missionaries and churches around the world and they use the word TEAM to do it! Let's recap what each letter stands for and how it's used to help:

• Train: for 27 years IMM missionaries have traveled to other countries to train people to make their own programs for radio and TV. They train radio announcers, TV hosts and cameramen! They even train teams to run their own media ministries.
• Empower: IMM empowers people - both kids and adults, to make a choice to live for Jesus. Half of the people in the world have not yet learned how to read or write, but they can watch TV, listen to radio, and listen to cassette tapes. IMM has produced tapes with Bible stories, bible lessons, scripture verses and dramas. All of these tools are used to help non-readers learn of Christ.
• Assist: As they help other countries set up their own radio and TV stations they also help them buy the equipment that's needed, set it up and then learn how to run it. They also help put all these different programs into the language of the country.
• Motivate: IMM loves to help motivate people and get them excited about new ideas! When IMM's director went to Sarajevo, Bosnia, to meet with church leaders, he learned they had been given a chance to put a show on TV...but there was no one who knew who to produce it. When one pastor saw IMM's short Bible story programs, the Parables of Jesus, he realized that these could work by replacing the story-teller's voice with a Bosnian speaking voice!

So as you go through this week, remember to pray for our IMM missionaries and the awesome work they are doing...pray for their safety as they travel around the world. Pray for more funds to help provide the equipment they need to set up TV and radio stations and all the programs they run. Finally, pray for God to give IMM missionaries and all missionaries creative ideas to keep spreading the gospel around the world!

GO 360! See ya Sunday!
Pastor Carrie