Call2All Global Congress / Media Track

We will be serving with Carol and Calvin Conkey to organize the upcoming Media and Missions track at the Call2All Congress in Long Beach, CA on November 29 - December 3. This strategic gathering will focus on reaching the least-reached with indigenous media. Chuck Quinley will be joining us as well. Learn more by looking under the Event calendar. Let us know if you can come.

Launched a Kid to College

Shirine and I spent a few days this week taking our oldest child to college this week. We are sobered by the "letting go" process. We realize this is a huge part of life. May you experience God's grace when it is time to let go of something He has entrusted you with.

Left to Tell

I just got off the phone with Mary Beth Minnis. She is mobilizing prayer for the film, "Left To Tell." Already there are 50,000 who have "liked" the Facebook page. Check it out at "Pray for Left to Tell" on Facebook. They are hoping the film will be funded and filmed in the next year.

Mobile Ministry Forum Consultation

The Mobile Ministry Forum is making plans for a small gathering this December 11-13 in Philadelphia. If you are interested in getting more info, keep an eye out in the Event calendar.

2011 Edinburgh Summit Sessions

We've made available a handful of the sessions from the 2011 VSN Summit in Edinburgh, Scotland. Learn more about story, social media, advice from veterans and more. Take a look at the titles listed below and enjoy. Special thanks to Ted Cox and Jim Meyer for their able videography.

Visual Artist Community Growing

It has been very encouraging to see visual artists with a deep kingdom commitment join the VSN community. Kristen Borrer, Marge Malwitz, Debby Topliff and I had a great conference call the other day just getting acquainted. We're looking at hosting a forum on "Taking Missional Art to the Ends of the Earth" on September 29. Keep an eye on the event calendar for updates.

What is Your Role as a Leader?

Hat's off to Seth Godin (again) for crisply saying something we should believe. "Leaders lead. Is that too simple? Writers write. If you want to be a writer, write. And be sure to have people read what you write. And leaders? Leaders lead. If you want to be a leader, go lead." (I used to say the same thing to Shirine when she talked about writing).

Prayer for Rob Hoskins

Rob Hoskins is one of the co-founders of the Visual Story Network. He is a man of faith, integrity and a personal inspiration to me. He recently contracted e-coli only to find out he also has prostate cancer. Please join me in praying for God's healing and complete restoration of Rob.

VSN Overview Video Available

The VSN Overview video is available for viewing and free download at www.visualstory.org/overview. This 3:27 video combines the "Yuseff and Andrea: Why Visual Story?" video (2:40) and a brief explanation of the Visual Story Network.

All About Storytelling

"This generation coming of age in this digital society doesn’t see or perceive much difference in types of media...The actual tools used are irrelevant. It’s the end result – the storylines, the messages – that matters. This generation thinks in pictures, words, and still and moving images and is comfortable mixing them all in the same space." N. Bilton, I Live in the Future, p. 12.

2500 Connected Communicators

As I seek God for what He has for us in the next three years I sense many exciting developments in the visual story movement. Presently we are about 900 people in 49 countries who connect with one another as we seek to give everyone the opportunity to encounter Jesus and His kingdom. I believe we will grow to at least 2500 strong by the end of 2013. What are you trusting Him for?

How's Your Baggage?

Thought provoking piece posted by Clint below. We've all got stuff we'd rather not have. Are you serious about "owning" your stuff in order to deal with it before God? God loves to have clean vessels He can fill...so we can overflow to the ends of the earth. Take a look at the video...and your heart.

Southern California Crew Needed

Joey O'Conner and his team are looking for crew for a three day shoot in Southern California starting May 25. See his post below for more info. Joey is one of my all-time favorite people. You won't regret working with him!

How's Your Motivation?

Pearls from Seth Godin: "There's an entire system organized around the idea that we're too weak to deliver effort without external rewards and punishment. If you only grow on demand, you're selling yourself short. If you're only as good as your current boss/trainer/sergeant, you've given over the most important thing you have to someone else. What do you do when no one is looking?"

Silicon Valley

I'm at Mt. Hermon Conference Center near San Jose, California for the GCIA conference (www.gcia.info). Great time with leading lights in Internet ministry. We'll be helping with the Mobile and Visual tracks on Wednesday and Thursday.

Global Christian Internet Alliance

I'm at Mt. Hermon Conference Center near San Jose, California for the GCIA conference (www.gcia.info). Great time with leading lights in Internet ministry. We'll be helping with the Mobile and Visual tracks on Wednesday and Thursday.

Visual Story Trainer Consultation

24 of us gathered from 3:00 - 8:00 at the Los Angeles Film Studies Center in Hollywood on April 29. A BIG thanks to Rebecca Ver Straten-McSparran for hosting us! It is inspiring to be with global innovators like the Conkey's, Quinleys, JESUS film leaders, Gary Stratton, Paul Luebbers, Kurt Tuffensdam, Diane Wigstone, Charlie Matz and others. Check out the images in the slide show.

First-Ever Story Trainers Consultation

Can't wait to meet with 20 global innovators on Friday. A first-ever "Visual Story Trainers Consultation" will take place at the Los Angeles Film Studies Center. Create International, the JESUS Film Project, Act One, 168 Project and others will explore how we can see a global movement of visual story training take place for the kingdom. We may be able to stream portions.

Anime JESUS Film

"My Last Day" is 9-minute animé short created by The JESUS Film Project. Barry Cook, director of Disney's Mulan wrote the story for My Last Day. Animation was created by Tokyo's renowned STUDIO 4C. Check it out below. It is available for free download at www.globalshortfilmnetwork.com. Good work!!

He is Risen! He is Risen Indeed!!

I pray you will be able to enter into the sacredness of this weekend. Take a look at some of the videos below that may help you. The resurrection changes everything.