Evangelism
"In India, film and television provide an escapist fare, that make the teeming millions who live under poverty line, to escape into a mirage of unreal hope".
Cinema is the medium of the masses in India. India is the largest producer of full-length feature films. Over 1200 titles of three-hour duration are produced every year. They are exhibited through 13000 theaters and touring cinemas that draw a crowd of over 25 million people everyday. Now DVDs too carry these films to the privacy of homes. Hundreds of television channels and cable-operators depend on films and film-related software in their programming.
Yet, there is some awareness in recent years to use visual-media as an excellent pre-evangelism tool. There is a need to lead our people from this stage of awareness to the other progressive stages of comprehension, on to conviction and finally for dynamic action. Possibilities of a multi-media approach to evangelism with visual-media playing a vital role are to be explored and employed for plentiful harvest.
Broadcasting
Broadcasting Christian films and serials is a great challenge in India where government calls the shots on their evangelistic content. Majority of private channels are also not sympathetic towards Christian programming. Appropriate strategies are to be found as in the case of 'JONI' broadcast in the year of the disabled through the government-controlled national networks. Slots made available for Christian programs during Christmas and Easter are to be used gainfully with musicals. Such programs are broadcast overseas to Indian audiences too through Indian channels. Ingenious ways of packaging Christian films in serial format need to be applied. In this way, "Candle in the dark" the story of William Carey found its way into a private channel in 8 episodes titled as "Life's fulfillment".
Film Festivals
Premieres of new films and film crusades and festivals with gospel films of renowned Christian filmmakers are held all over the country for evangelism and for the spiritual revival of Christians with results of conversions, follow-up and church planting. Christians trained in film evangelism and village evangelism, are given hands on experience at these events and to counsel and lead respondents to Christ. Film Crusades using end time films are much in demand. Children's film festivals are proving a great vehicle to draw children and youth away from the evil effects of secular soft-porn movies of the country.
India Media Leader Prayer Calendar
The convergence of film, television and comupter aided by the internet and mobile phone has a new breed of media leaders added to the old guard in the industry who wield tremendous power. Celebrities, television programs and the music industry influence culture. Media leaders and cultural influencers shape our society. They need our prayers for God's guidance and wisdom to make decisions to uplift media to inspire people for lofty moral standards. As member of a pluralistic society that has strong relegious traditions and beleifs, religion does play an important role in their lives. How can they be drawn to a personal God of love, truth, justice and righteousness? Hence a prayer calendar.