(Nov. 4, 2011 - by Harold Goerzen) HCJB Global and Feba UK have united in a partnership called “OneSheep” to collaborate in providing new media skills and resources that help reach unbelievers with the message of new life in Christ.

“Our rapidly changing world expects instant information, especially the younger generation,” said HCJB Global President Wayne Pederson. “This consortium will strengthen the capacity and creativity of both HCJB Global and Feba UK and empower both organizations to better reach the youth of today.”

“While radio continues to be of huge importance, newer forms of media are increasingly vital as we seek to engage with communities in many different situations around the world,” added Jonathan Frank, Feba UK’s chief executive officer. “In choosing to work with HCJB Global as we invest together in this consortium, we are looking forward to sharing the experience and inspiration that each of us brings, so that together we can be more effective in God’s kingdom work.”

Ellie Brecunier, HCJB Global’s international new media coordinator, said she’s excited about the OneSheep consortium, a name inspired by the biblical parable in which the shepherd leaves his flock of 99 sheep to rescue the one lost sheep—a picture of God’s love for sinners.

“The agreement will help us avoid overlapping our efforts,” she explained. “It’s a vision to do new media together with excellence. And now we see the convergence of ministries with similar backgrounds and similar visions to be reaching out to today’s world through new media.”

By jointly researching how young people communicate and consume media, the mission agencies will endeavor to reach them with biblical truth. The two organizations will work together to present the gospel in a rapidly changing, increasingly globalized and connected world. The group also welcomes other Christian organizations to join and participate.

The consortium will place a priority on projects that impact unreached and limited-access people groups. These groups are embracing new media, particularly those that are delivered via mobile devices.

Curt Cole, one of HCJB Global’s vice presidents of international ministries, said the ministry has been experimenting with the use of new media in all of the regions. “In Latin America, for example, we have 10,000 Facebook friends, 80 percent of whom are active,” he said. “Africa is the fastest growing mobile phone market in the world, and through training we’ve been able to empower students in West Africa to use their cell phones for ministry.”

Cole added that Janine Rembas, an HCJB Global missionary serving in Thailand with Spotlight English Clubs, a program that teaches English as a second language, joined the mission’s new media team on Nov. 1. She is currently in Ecuador to hold training sessions but plans to return to Southeast Asia where she will serve in her role with new media.

Here are the key tasks of the OneSheep new media consortium:
• Share ideas, production, creation and delivery of social media content.
• Serve as consultants, coaches and mentors to help project teams achieve excellence in social media ministry.
• Provide training among partners and clients of both organizations in new media.
• Create practical connections between online projects and offline ministry.
• Fill skill and resource gaps in new media ministry.

Started as a sister ministry to Far East Broadcasting Co., Feba UK is part of a network of eight autonomous Feba organizations that works to develop innovative approaches to address issues facing people in Africa, South and Central Asia and the Middle East.

Sources: In Christ Communications, HCJB Global, Feba UK