Gospel multimedia exhibition plan, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Thank you for visiting this blog post. Here after is a plan for setting up a gospel multimedia exhibition on June 2013, in Addis Ababa Ethiopia. I would appreciate your comments and support in any way. Blessings!

THE 10 COMMANDEMENTS MULTIMEDIA EXIBITION

The 10 Commandments multimedia exhibition is a photo and short films exhibition structured to share the gospel of Jesus Christ using the 10 commandments. The exhibition will be set in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia on June 2013.

Objective

The objective of the event is

• To use the visual media to creatively share the gospel of Jesus Christ to the traditionally religious young people of Addis Ababa

Summary of the Event

In the multimedia exhibition, various photographs depicting the 10 commandments will be shown. The photographs aim to let viewers ask themselves whether they have ever kept the 10 commandments. The photos will show viewers that in one way or the other that they have transgressed the law of God. By breaking the law, viewers shall realize that they are sinners. (For detailed examples look below under the title, How to portray the 1o commandments in photography)

During the photo exhibit, silent short films will be shown on a screen. The Silent videos aim is to let viewers realize that by failing to keep at least one law, that they are guilty of all. “For whoever keeps the whole law and stumbles in one point, he has become guilty of all.” James 2:10. The videos will show that people can never keep the laws of God and earn righteousness by themselves, whatever energy, passion, work they apply. "… For from within, out of men's hearts, come evil thoughts of lust, theft, murder, adultery, wanting what belongs to others, wickedness, deceit, lewdness, envy, slander, pride, and all other folly. All these vile things come

from within; they are what pollute you and make you unfit for God." Mark 7:20-23.  'No one is good—no one in all the world is innocent.” Rom 3: 9-10. These videos purpose will be to create a need for a savior.

 After viewers see the photographs and the silent movies they will be ushered to the next part of the multimedia exhibition which will be, short God videos/gospel videos. Viewers will sit and watch the videos on a laptop privately wearing earphones. These videos will depict salvation is not by work but by faith and the only way to salvation is Jesus Christ. “For by grace are ye saved through faith, not of yourselves...not of works.” Eph.2:8, 9

At the end of the show, viewers will meet team members to discuss if they have any questions, team members will share the gospel with them and they will be handled free Bibles (Orthodox, Catholic and Protestants version). 

Target audience

The primary target audience of the multimedia exhibition is urban religious youth. The event secondary target audience is the general public of the city.

Why the 10 commandments?

Christianity is the most common religion in Ethiopia, followed by Islam.The 10 commandments are available in every religion, if not in religion, as moral values to all people, even to atheists. The Bible tells that the law of God is written on the hearts of man. People intrinsically know right from wrong. Thus by using the 10 commandments one can easily relate to any individual.

Ethiopia is traditionally called a Christian nation. Though, the nation is traditionally religious, there are millions of people who have never heard the gospel of Jesus Christ. Basically, the belief that one can be saved only through his/her good works is so common among the society. Religious people believe they will earn salvation by trying to keep the laws. Though keeping the law is good by itself, people can never earn salvation through  keeping the laws, after all we are living in a fallen world, no human being can keep the law by his/her efforts, this is why we need a savior.

Thus, the multimedia exhibition aims to use the 10 commandments to alert the target audience that they are naturally never good enough to do all good works, and keep God’s laws by themselves. This exhibition portrays the 10 commandments in photographs to make people realize that they fail to keep them. Short videos will also be used to show that whoever fails to keep the law, are subject to the wrath of God, punishment of eternal hell. After viewers are

made aware that they are sinners and they need a savior, they will see another short video that tells the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Side Event

A jazz music will be played outside of the exhibition hall, to call attention and attract people walking by the exhibition area. This will also entertain the audience already present at the exhibition.

Why Photographs and films

We live in a most opportune time in the history of the Church when a great opportunity exists to share the gospel. For 1500 years, preaching was the primary means to share the gospel message. For the last 500 years, print media was able to fasten the spread of the gospel. We are now living in a visual age of films, photographs and music videos. Today the language of a growing number of people worldwide is visual story.  Studies indicate that, every day, four out of five people on this planet are molded by visual story. 1 million videos are watched daily on You Tube while 200,000 videos are uploaded per day. Research suggests that people learn, accept and retain messages more easily when they are presented in visual form. Visual media can show complex ideas in a short period of time in format that can easily be understood. It can be used to connect religious theories with real life events.

The world is growing more media-saturated and sophisticated, while people are becoming more visually oriented. Thus, this multimedia exhibition aims to visually portray the gospel through this powerful media and captivate the hearts of men, women, youth and children,

How to portray the 10 Commandments in photography?

1. 1.    “You shall have no other gods before Me”

Jesus tells us that the first and greatest Commandment is to love God with all of our heart, soul, and mind (Matthew 22:37,38).

An idol doesn’t have to be something tangible; anything that takes the place of God in our life serves as an idol, whether it be our job, a person, possessions,etc. To place love for another (including ourselves) above God is idolatry.

Ex. of photographs: Money, Relationships, Career, Drinks, Tech Addiction

1. 2.    “You shall not make for yourself a carved image”

The use of the words “To me God is . . .” is an idolatry,you make a god to suit yourself, one devoid of reference to sin, righteousness,and judgment. You make sure he or she likes the things you like and hates the things you hate. If you like lust, so will your god. If your god doesn’t mind lying and stealing, then you can lie, steal, and lust to yourheart’s content. Your god will fill your heart with joy and your spirit with song . . . right up until Judgment Day.

Some scholars say one of the reasons Jesus resurrected is that people won’t worship his body. In order to avoid confusion and theological arguments the messages of the visual images will be simple and to the point.

Ex. Bowing ‘Don’t bow down to anything but God

            A person’s hand carving sculpture

            Destroying idols

 Statues

1. 3.    “You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain”

Ex. Swearing by making a cross on hand

when something goes wrong, we say, ‘Oh, G-d!’”

1. 4.    “Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy”

Ex. People resting

(contrasting 2 pictures in one)

1. 5.    “Honor your father and your mother”

Eph 6:2 Col 3:20

Ex. Elderly portrait

1. 6.     “You shall not murder”

Jesus said, “You have heard that it was said by them of old time, You shall not kill; and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment:But I say to you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment” (Matthew 5:21,22). The Bible further adds that if we hate someone, we are murderers (1 John 3:15).There are many who would like to kill, but refrain because of fear of punishment.

God counts them guilty of murder.

Ex. Hate photos, Self hatred

Abortion: “He slew me not from the womb; or that my mother might have been my grave” (Jeremiah 20:17), and God vowed to punish those who “ripped up the women

with child” (Amos 1:13). God, the Creator of life, commanded us, “Do not shed innocent blood” (Jeremiah 7:6).

When people does not perform their professional duties right, for instance in profession of medicine, it is indirectly committing murder.

1. 7.    “You shall not commit adultery”

Ex. Lustful eyes

Taken off cloth trouser, shirt, stocking? condom pack…by bed side

1. 8.    “You shall not steal”

EX. Taking office materials

Bribe

1. 9.    “You shall not lie”

Ex.

10. “You shall not covet”

Ex. Same business shops, next to each other, like ‘kasanchis’

Time Frame

Countdown to the show

January- February # 4 MONTHS TO SHOW:

• Develop  team
  • Team selection / Skill team, sponsorship team and event organizers
  • Bonding and planning retreat
    • Bonding/ story sharing
    • Define the purpose of your exhibition. What do you hope to achieve?Sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ through multimedia exhibition
    • Create an Exhibition plan, pre-show, at-show and if necessary follow-up plan
    • Photography assignment

March # 3 MONTHS TO SHOW:

• • Photography assignment

•  Develop a budget (Refer budget section)

• Research and identify which venue will best suit for your event
• • Brainstorm for Video scripts, set up production group, develop story board/ shot list
• • Produce silent Videos
• • Begin thinking about accessories, giveaways
• • Critque videos

Movie night, the team will view and discuss on different short films and gospel videos.

April # 2 MONTHS TO SHOW:

• • Photography assignment
• • Brainstorm God Video scripts, set up production group, develop story board/ shot list
• • Produce God Videos
• • critique videos
• • Register and reserve your venue
• • Reserve Jazz band
• • Design banner, invitation card, posters

Develop catalog and pricing sheet, for photographs on sale/ Have receipt ready

May #1 MONTHS TO SHOW:

• Decide with team on title of the exhibition

•Selection of exhibition photographs

• Finalize Videos after accommodating comments given by the team during criticism

• • Order printing of banner invitation card, posters, post cards for sale (made by the photographs)

• • Discuss on how best to display, develop exhibition hall map

• • Print photographs
• • Framing
• • Prepare labeling for photographs (Title, Photographer name)
• • Have furniture, lighting, laptops,…and also other requirements ready
• • Assign people to coordinate the opening event
• •Write a press kit and send it to relevant journalists
• • Send out an e-mail or postal mail inviting people to the event
• • Create FB Event page
• • Develop check list

June AT THE SHOW:

• • Set up (hanging photographs, setting projector, laptops), decorations
• •Arrange part of a team to stand at different positions
• • Have a team outside of the exhibition with compelling message which is short, sharp and to the point. Be clear and concise
• • Make sure team are well prepared. For the entire time of the show, they are ambassadors for your God
• • Conduct daily meetings with team and have a de-briefing at the end of each day to review results and problems
• • Capture the moment! Photograph the event. Assign a team member to do so.
• • Enjoy!
• •After-show preparation: Send thank you message for volunteers, sponsors and others

The exhibition will be conducted for 3 days. It will begin with opening cocktail on Friday night and continues till Sunday night.

Location

Considerations when selecting the location:

• The size of the place and of course, make sure if there is a good space to display the images, such as a well exposed and lit wall, and that there is not too much visual or audio distractions.
• Need to have decent light, especially at night for the opening event
• Need to have a convenient access and adequate parking space or transportation
• Check that soft drinks and food are permitted for drinks and snack at the opening.
• Check what options are available to hang the frames. Check for example if you can put nails into the wall, or if there are hanging racks already in place. Make sure you check with the facility manager

Alarming Statistics - There are over 1000 groups (tribes, races) of people who have never heard the gospel even once. 94% of ministers are preaching to 9% of the world population,  while 6 % of ministers are struggling with the remaining 91% of the world harvest.

Budget/ sponsorship list---coming soon!