“So what is so international about International Media Ministries?” I have been asking myself this question recently. What make a ministry organization international?

Certainly, we point to all of our international activity. The programs we have produced over the years are being viewed by millions of people. We have programs licensed in over 30 languages. People from Russia to South Africa, from Iceland to New Zealand have received messages of hope about salvation through Christ. That makes us an international ministry, right?

How about all the training we have done? We send people to places like Bangladesh and India. We have established training centers in partnership with ministries in Romania. We are assisting in the establishment of a TV channel in Malawi. For sure, all of this activity qualifies us to wear the label “International”.

I have come to an understanding that doing things “out there” is not what makes us international. It has more to do with what is going on within us as a team and the attitudes we nurture. So here is what I believe are essential attitudes/practices of an international ministry.

Open your heart to people and their cultural differences

When Gwen and I were the directors of ISFM/Chi Alpha, we learned to be curious and ask good questions. Becoming a learner is key to opening your heart to people of other cultures. We are opening our hearts to the nations as we actively pray for them. Getting a heart for the world doesn’t happen by accident. We meet for prayer everyday and focus on one nation each day. One tool that facilitates this practice is the book, Operation World by Patrick Johnstone and Jason Mandryk, 6^th edition (an updated 7^th addition is now available.)

To open your heart also means opening your door. At IMM, we are looking for every opportunity to welcome people into our building. We, as a staff, are predominately American and the tendency to become an American enclave is a constant concern. Having both guests and staff from a variety of cultural backgrounds constantly in the building exposes us to the daily issues of being an international community.

Invite people to the table

It has been said, “If we always agree on everything then one of us isn’t necessary to the decision.” Leadership studies show that the quality of decisions most often improves when there is additional input from qualified people of different backgrounds, be it educational, social or cultural. When we are making important decisions about projects it is vital for us, at IMM, to gain the perspective of those who will be showing the programs in their culture. When we are planning events, getting ideas and input from those who might be participating from diverse cultures can enrich the effectiveness of the event and ultimately result in more people coming to know Jesus.

Humility wins the Day

In 1 Cor. 9:17-23, Paul shares his strategy for communicating the gospel. I see this passage as a pattern for my cross-cultural service. First, I must know who I am in Christ. Second, I must identify with the people I desire to communicate with. Finally, I must have the right motivation. All of this is wrapped in Paul’s humility to serve Christ.

Visual media can be enticing. Our work up on the BIG SCREEN is an allure. At IMM, we want to produce excellent materials and I believe we deliver on that desire. At the same time, we have no illusions about our programs ever making millions or becoming famous. Our motivation is simple. We want to put a visual gospel within reach of those who have yet to hear the story that changes lives. Developing programming for those people isn’t glamorous or lucrative. It is needed and so we hope to humbly serve the Lord to that end.

This, I believe, is what makes us international.

I have on my desk a small stone. The friend I received it from once shared a devotional with a group of workers about the monuments built during the time of Joshua. They were built in remembrance of all God had done to get the Israelites into the land of promise. This stone reminds me that everything God has been in the past is a testimony of what He will be in the future. The God of the Bible: the faithful, true, powerful and gracious God, loves this world and longs to bring forgiveness, hope and joy to each individual.

As I write to you, this stone on my desk reminds me of the faithfulness of God’s people. The people who have prayed in the past are the folks who will again stand with us in the battles we are facing now. The work we are engaged in requires much prayer, for there is much opposition. However, at the same time there is much opportunity.

I want to invite you to download our IMM prayer guide and encourage you to set aside 31 days to make International Me­dia Ministries a special focus of your prayers. In this small prayer guide you will find the People, Partners and Projects with whom IMM is involved. Each day also has the prayer needs of an individual nation listed. Someone once said, “Prayer is the real work, evangelism is just the mopping up.” We appreci­ate you and ask you again to join with us in prayer.

Thank you for being committed to the work of God through IMM. Together we are putting the gospel within arms reach.

Yours Because I’m His,

Jerry and Gwen Gibson

I was standing among heroes. Walking slowly among the crosses I was humbled by the sacrifice made by so many men and women for the cause of freedom. Those who died did so never knowing the enduring impact of their actions; yet they acted because they believed in the cause. They had faith and a belief that their contribution to the effort mattered. I was grateful to stand in that place and remember them.

Tunisia is home to one of 17 U.S. WWII military cemeteries and is the only one in all of Africa. This sacred soil was a gift of the Tunisian government to the U.S. for bringing freedom to this land, wrenching it from the hands of cruel men, dictators, who took rather than gave.

I was honored to walk among these fallen heroes

I was standing among heroes. I listened to men and women who had given up home and all it’s comforts, choosing to live away from the joys of being with family and friends because they believed in an eternal cause. They believe in a cause of eternal life and no sacrifice is too great to deliver the message of freedom. This was a reunion of Christian workers who have faith and a belief that their contribution to His effort to see people come to freedom mattered. I was grateful to stand in that place and be counted among them.

They were two experiences yet similar feelings. Tonight, I am grateful for those who stand with us in support and prayer to tell the story that changes lives. In the midst of struggle and even sorrow I can say it matters. To those who are coming to truth, to our heavenly Father and to me, your efforts matter. You are my heroes.

We have a big announcement, as I’m sure many of you have already seen on Gwen’s Facebook page. We are going to be grandparents! I have been waiting for this news for sometime. Congratulations to Bethanee and Daniel Esqueda!
I get asked if I’m ready to be a grandpa! The answer is an unequivocal, “YES”. I just read Proverbs 17: 6, “Children’s children are a crown to the aged.” While I’m not sure I’m excited about being grouped with “the aged”, I am looking forward to being “crowned”! Please keep Bethanee and Daniel in your prayers AND us. Living overseas just got more serious! This will really raise the bar in terms of our commitment to serve.

I’m really excited to let everyone know that IMM has a new look on our website. Go to imm.edu to see and interact with our team and projects. You can download our 31-day prayer guide too. (IMM prayer guide ) This is our effort to raise the bar in terms of our communication with you, our partners. (More about that later.)

Thank you to all of you that make it possible for Gwen and I to follow the Lord as messengers of His truth. We are honored to partner with you to take creative media to a borderless world.

“My people have a proverb…” I heard this phrase many times over the ten days that my African friend, Pastor Philemon Salam Saba, spent with us here at IMM recently. Over the past few days, I had learned to listen carefully to the words spoken by my new friend because of the years of wisdom behind them. “He who beats the drum does not know how far it goes.” Those words are still ringing in my ears weeks after hearing them for the first time.

Pastor Philemon Salam Saba is the lead pastor of a congregation of 2,000 in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso. He came to IMM to help us record a French version of “Open the Bible: The Gospels”. Within six weeks of his coming we completed a version for the 115 million French-speaking people in 31 countries of Africa.

We give ourselves everyday to the task of “beating the drum” at IMM. We beat the drum with hearts of faith that the sounds will fall on open ears and hearts. You too are beating a drum with your life! You just don’t know how far that influence will be carried. Know this, your influence is reaching to the nations of French-speaking Africa because you are standing with us as faith partners. Thank you for your faithful part in telling the story that changes lives.