“I think this is a retreat” said one. “No, it’s a media training program” said the other; “and is also a media workshop” added another participant.

These were the opinions heard at the Shalom Media Summit (SMS) that was organised at Bishop Lane Retreat Centre, Illinois during June 28-July 1, 2018. We too were quite unsure about the dynamics of the program. All we knew was God had entrusted this idea “Shalom Media Summit” with a plan and a purpose - He will show us the “whys” and “hows” of this special mission. Our faith was strong and we gave a resounding “Yes”. As young missionaries teamed up in this journey, we saw a greater purpose to that “Yes’’.

The culture is constantly and rapidly changing and everything we see on media today is not the result of an agenda propagated yesterday. It has taken root over many years; for the same reason it cannot be uprooted in a day or two, but an ongoing process. We can defend, counteract, give positive advices; but that is not the solution to bring about a change in media culture. Sowing seeds of faith, saturating the virtual space with Christian messages and actively guiding the culture today for an encounter with Christ is the only solution to bring joy, peace and love in our world today.

Only a person who has experienced Jesus and committed himself to Him can sow the message of true peace and joy, and bring others to Him. As a media ministry, it is not just about making Christ-centric programs , but also building young missionaries who can speak to the world using their gifts and skills in media production, writing, on- neon presence, music, in combination with their powerful emanating experience can change the world for good.

The youth are independent thinkers, influenced by ideologies as they seek connection. The internet and public media space are the greatest ‘mission fields’ today. More than I-2 billion people around the globe are on the internet. People from different cultures, countries, languages and religious backgrounds converge on this platform. Hatred, sex, violence, atheism and negativity abuse the internet space in a visually powerful way trapping the youth in a fantasy world. It is precisely here that the young missionaries equipped spiritually and technically through SMS can bring the hurting, broken, lost and lonely to their Savior Jesus.

SMS 2018 was organised precisely for this reason to empower the Catholic youth. We had the idea, the desire and the passion, but did not know how to take it forward or in what direction. Slowly but clearly, God showed us the way to prepare the young hearts to spiritually commit their talents to Jesus. Talks by missionary priest - Fr. Louis Merosne, Alex Gotay, Jenson Joseph, Chika Anyanwu and spiritual director of Shalom Media - Rev Fr Roy Palatty set the hearts of the participants on fire for the Lord.

Media sessions by creative director Ranjith Chandy, director of planning - Jithin Joseph, director of outsourced content - Sajiv Jose led them to a deeper understanding of the dynamics of our ministry. Media workshops by Ranjith Chandy and director of programs - Jerry George ignited the creative minds of our young audience. Music ministry by missionary couple band- ‘Out of Darkness’ and praise and worship led by Cyril Abraham helped the attendees to surrender their lives completely to God.

The witness of our creative team members: producer Ritzy George, program coordinator Donna Villa, executive producer Blossom Thomas, audio engineer Mesmin Santhosh, prompted the participants to even consider a media career for Christ. The audio-visual presentations, project presentations from the participants and panel sharing by the speakers imparted a passion for media evangelisation.

SMS was just a first step towards bringing much awaited change in the realm of media. 2000 years ago, a marginally obscure group became the most dominant religious force in the entire world because they dared to proclaim the Truth embodied in Jesus. The world is becoming increasingly screen-dominated, stay-oriented and mobile-saturated. Even after 2000 years, millions are yet to hear the gospel. It is our responsibility to contend the culture of death in today’s media.

God has entrusted us with a powerful media mission-Shalom Media- which has the potential to reach every person across the globe. The culture is in the hands of the youth and through SMS our effort as a media ministry is to strengthen these hands to boldly proclaim the gospel. The Youth represents a powerful voice of the Church. Let their voice echo in the digital space to seek out the lost children of God’s kingdom.