African media and Christianity explosion in focus at ACM conference

Africa is experiencing explosive growth in media and technology and as “the beating heart of world Christianity” says influential writer, filmmaker and media consultant Phil Cooke, who will be keynote speaker at the Association of Christian Media (ACM) conference in Gauteng  from June 7 to June 9.

“The combination of those two events cry out for a generation of Christians who understand media and who can tell the gospel story in a media driven culture,” says Cooke who advises many of the largest and most effective churches and non-profit organisations in the world through his media company, Cooke Pictures, based in Los Angeles, California.

The theme of the ACM Conference, which will be held at the Willow Park Conference Centre, will be  “Ignite Your Media Future”. Participants will have an opportunity to discover ways to use media and ministry to transform the lives of people; grapple with the role Christians play in the changing media landscape; and meet media producers and distributors from many media fields.

Cooke says: “Two major explosions are happening in Africa right now. First – a media and technology explosion. Within a couple of years, there will be more mobile devices on the continent than people, and that connectivity will have a massive impact on the culture.

“Second, Africa is rapidly becoming the beating heart of global Christianity. The combination of those two events cry out for a generation of Christians who understand media and who can tell the gospel story in a media driven culture. This is not the time to be silent.”

Phil’s wife, Kathleen Cooke, will also participate in the conference. She says: “There has never been a time in history, as now, in which our culture worldwide is being driven by media and technology. If we want to reach the world for Christ we must be educated and leading in the use and understanding of technology and media. I look forward to meeting, sharing ideas, and insights, with pastors, media professionals and industry leaders and inspiring the next generation working in South Africa who want to use media and technology to reach the world for Christ and become culture changers. Want to change the World? You need to be at the Association of Christian Media Conference – South Africa!”

The ACM (previously known as the Association of Christian Broadcasters) is a network of Christian broadcasting organisations and individuals that have a vision of reaching people with the Gospel and are willing to share their resources and expertise. A large number of Christian radio and television stations and their program producers in Southern Africa are members of the ACM. Gateway News is also a member.

Confrence registration forms can be downloaded here. More information is available from Natalie Turco at natalieturco1@gmail.com. Registration fees for the full conference are R2 000  (shared room) and R2 500 (single room). Day visitor fees are R1 000 (3 days), R750 (2 days), R500 (1 day).