Challenging people to do new things even before our inspirational movie goes into production is a benefit of casting vision for the project. We did that with the “Ordinary People, Extraordinary Purpose, Unimaginable Impact” workshop at the Chinese Missions Convention in Baltimore on December 28, 2024.
We learned beforehand that the majority of attendees would be young adults. OMF (U.S.) mobilizer Erin K., who is in charge of the entire English program, coordinated our workshop with this goal: “I want this to be a creative, interactive experience that will challenge participants to give their lives fully to the Lord, whether that means a life of service overseas or a life of sending others with their prayers, time, talents, and other resources.”
By Ken Haron with Half Crown Media, who has a diverse background in media production over four decades in the U.S., Latin America, and Asia. He and his wife first met in Ecuador, South America, and they live in Colorado.
Jennie Fung welcomed the workshop crowd, introducing Jamie Taylor (James Hudson Taylor IV) who then shared two stories from Hudson Taylor’s life. The attendees were given time in smaller focused working groups to apply their own interests to process how to convey the story creatively through storyboarding, set design, music, wardrobe selection, social media, discussing how to do film budgeting for scenes, strategies for following up with viewers for discipleship, or considering ethical matters in missions.
From participants at each table, we were able to see their artwork, hear suggested music cues from their phones and summaries from each table’s leader. After the workshop, we received positive feedback. One person wrote: “Prior to this workshop I thought the only way to serve God overseas was in traditional medical work or church planting. Now I see I’m already equipped to serve with what I have!”
It was a beautiful reminder that our main goal is not to make a movie, but to inspire a new generation with a story of God’s work in ordinary people, accomplishing extraordinary things for His glory.
And thank you to all who have been praying for and giving toward the Hudson Taylor movie project!
Photo taken by the Half Crown Media team.
