This year’s annual meeting theme reflects the significance and vitality of broadcasting in the changing times. The relevance of broadcasting transcends from this generation to the next. There are many voices and many platforms but there’s only one Message – It’s Jesus.

The pandemic halted the supposed in-person annual meetings in 2021, and 2022. And since the world is recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic and traveling across the globe is much easier with fewer restrictions, the 2023 Annual Meeting was pushed-through. 

Johannesburg, South Africa, became the venue of the annual meeting. The delegates stayed at the Capital Empire Hotel for four days, June 18-21, 2023. The original venue was in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC); due to the political and civil unrest, the organizing team decided to conduct the meeting at the north side of the cool city of Johannesburg – Sandton District. During the meeting the climate is at its lowest, ranging from 1°C to 20°C daily because of the winter season in South Africa, which made the stay cozy and comfortable.

The Rev. Miriam Magura, Central District Superintendent of the South Africa Annual Conference, delivered a short yet heartwarming message during the opening worship of the annual meeting.

She said: “Despite different languages, cultures, and traditions, go and make Disciples. The only way you can make disciples is through coming up with theories on Communications so that we can reach every person, both the rich and the poor”.

Rev. Magura challenged the delegates to continue learning and embracing new ways to spread the Word to reach more people to make disciples of Jesus for the transformation of the world.

The transition: From Radio Network to Broadcast Network

On the first day of the annual meeting, the official delegates unanimously approved and launched the new name of the United Methodist Radio Network, that is the United Methodist Broadcast Network. 

Mr. Pacome Nguessan, UM Broadcast Network Executive Secretary led the official launching and signing of the network’s new name.

Nguessan started the launch with a quick history and how did the team come up with the idea of changing the name of the network. He said, “In 2020 and 2021, we started talking about extending our mission, which is about moving to the broadcast. And in June 2022, during our virtual meeting, we all agreed to switch to UM Broadcast, which means we no longer have radio stations alone but we will also have all the other broadcasting media such as TV, social media, and live streaming.” 

Also present during the official launching are the executives from United Methodist Communications, namely: Mr. Danny Mai, Chief Operating Officer, Ashley Gish, Director of Strategy, Global Communications Technology, Dr. Michelle Maldonado Director of Seeker Advertising and Communications, Dr. Tafadzwa Mudambanuki, Director of Central Conference Communications, and other UMCOM Staff.

Dr. Mudambanuki inspired the Executive Committee and the delegates by saying, “You are ordinary people called by God to do extraordinary things through the United Methodist Broadcast Network”.

Danny Mai used the wineskin story as a metaphor to express his excitement and happiness about the network’s move and expansion.

He stated, “There is old wine and new wineskin. You can’t take new wine and pour out to old wineskins. We’re taking something new and we’re trying to expand. And I’m so happy, so proud that you all have chosen to expand your roles using a new wineskin to reach the new generation. The message is the same. Our story is the same. But we’re opening our own skills and abilities to reach the wider generation.”

Danny also thanked the group for approving the new name with expanded ministry scope.

“I thank you all again for raising your hands in agreement and saying we are now the United Methodist Broadcast Network. I give thanks to Jesus and I give thanks to God for the work we are in today”, he said.

Ashely Gish of the Global Communications Technology department congratulated the network for making a bold move. According to her, it will open up opportunities for the group as a network; to rethink the way they share the message and grow even their radio presence by having access to greater tools for broadcast.

Taking It to the Next Level. Ashley Gish, Director of Strategy, Global Communications Technology, presented the landscape of media. She said that we all changed the way that we communicate during COVID and instead of thinking of that as a disadvantage, she added that it is an opportunity to take advantage of the way that more people are communicating digitally.
Taking It to the Next Level. Ashley Gish, Director of Strategy, Global Communications Technology, presented the landscape of media. She said that we all changed the way that we communicate during COVID and instead of thinking of that as a disadvantage, she added that it is an opportunity to take advantage of the way that more people are communicating digitally.

After the signing and launching, Ms. Gish presented the current landscape of media, where there is growing access to technology. She said that the COVID-19 pandemic increased the digitization of communication. 

“We all changed the way that we communicate during COVID and instead of thinking of that as a disadvantage, this is an opportunity to take advantage of the way that more people are communicating digitally”, according to her.

She added that during the pandemic, media has become more integrated. The radio station is no longer just a radio station; it has social media channels too. Programs are being live-streamed; new technologies like Artificial Intelligence (AI), Augmented Reality (AR), and Virtual Reality are in the know and being talked about. She dropped this question, “How are these new technologies going to change the way we communicate with people?”

She also discussed the roles of United Methodist Communications particularly the Global Communications Technology in the life and ministry of the UM Radio Network.

“Our responsibility is to be your facilitated partner; we provide meeting logistics, we help to set up the meeting that you’re sitting in here now, and we also provide grants to help further your broadcast initiatives”, Ms. Gish said.

The accomplishments: Episcopal Areas Reports and Presentations

Eleven Episcopal Areas and the four founding members, namely: Voice of Hope (Côte d’Ivoire), Radio Kairos (Angola), ELUM 98.7 (Liberia), and Radio Lokole (DRC) were present during the annual meeting. They presented accomplishments, updates, and ministries as well as their improvement plans for their communication ministries.

The presenter from South Africa Annual Conference mentioned the power and significance of television in their area; it can shape people’s perception because it can be used to preach the Word of God.

Radio Ellum presenter said that 11 out of 15 regions in Liberia are being reached by the radio of the United Methodist Church. She said that Radio Ellum is engaged in staff capacity building to advance its vision to become Liberia Annual Conference as a great peacemaker in the area. They have had series of training in streaming, talk show hosting, writing and developing program skills training, and news script writing.

Radio Ellum is grateful to the Broadcast Network because they received USD 5,000 which enables them to acquire new equipment to strengthen their radio operations.

The Annual Meeting also included a special time for the United Media Channel (UMCTV) of the Philippines Central Conference. Mr. Noel Vincent Pechardo Miguel, Executive Director, shared and presented the mid to pro-level online programs of the UMCTV. 

United Media Channel- Philippines:  Mr. Noel Vincent Pechardo Miguel, Executive Director of UMCTV shares the accomplishments and current programming of the online channel. With a limited and small budget, the UMCTV produced quality contents for the Filipino Methodists locally and globally.

The UMCTV started in 2018. It is a multi-major platform devoted to the production and distribution of video content. According to Miguel, its service is comprised of volunteers that regard this online ministry as a personal ministry. UMCTV’s Facebook Page has more than 16,000 followers. The three Episcopal Areas in the Philippines (Manila, Baguio, and Davao) serve as the ministry partners and content contributors.

On the last day of the annual meeting, one of the presenters was the Baguio Episcopal Area. Mr. Kier Ocampo, Area Communications Director, shared the thriving ministries of his area. He said that during the onslaught of the pandemic, the Episcopal Office decided to stop buying airtime from a local radio station and focused on producing and distributing quality online content. Their online ministry reaches an average of 100,000 people monthly with a presence on Facebook and YouTube.

Other highlights of the annual meeting are the specialized talks led by the UMCom key staff. Dr. Michelle Maldonado talked about transitional broadcast media and social media. Allen Thurman taught the team the right video production with basic editing. And Matt Crum reintroduced the UMConnect as a useful tool for broadcasting.

Another Annual Meeting has just finished strong…

During an interview with Mr. Nguessan, he said that the annual meeting was a success. He encourages all the delegates to start using technology to update the way they are working. He added that the world is changing and it is imperative to adopt the use of technology to gain more reach. He also thanked everyone for attending and participating in the annual meeting.

Dan Krause, UMCom’s General Secretary, dropped a challenging message for the delegates.

“Continue to learn from each other. Explore and push ourselves in the new boundaries so that we can reach new people with the Gospel of Jesus Christ through new mediums…and reinforce those who are elsewhere on the path. Some people are already on TV, some people are streaming digitally, some are on the radio, and some are thinking about how to get in one of those three, just lend our knowledge and support to one another; this is why we are a connectional Church and why we have opportunities to come together just like this”, he said.

To our Lord Jesus Christ be all the glory!

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By: KIER C. OCAMPO, MBA
Communications Director
Baguio Episcopal Area.