We talked to three of the attendees at the Assembly of Representatives’ meeting on May 20, 2024 to find out more about who they are, what motivates them to contribute as representatives and what items they’ve found to be most interesting about this work.

– Of course, good organization is needed

How have you prepared for the meeting?
“After I had read all the documents and written down my questions and comments, we had a meeting with the representatives from BCC West-Nederland, our local board and elders. Together, we went through the documents and discussed the different proposals presented, their implications, and our questions. The Netherlands has collected all questions from our local churches centrally and sent them to the BCC Federation. We received answers to all our questions and comments and thus had enough information to make all decisions today.”

– Indicates that the work is moving forward

Which items have been the most interesting today?
“There were several items that indicate that the work is moving forward. Perhaps not so exciting, but still important milestones on the way forward: The issue of all local churches becoming members of the BCC Federation, and the new committee researching volunteer work are particularly interesting.“

How have you prepared for the meeting?
“Several trustees and the board of the local church in Connecticut go over the case documents together. In this way, we gain an understanding of the items and are better equipped to implement them when decisions are made by the Assembly. If we have any questions or suggestions, these will be collected and submitted before the deadline.”

– Very interesting to see how the organizations work together towards a common goal

How do you prepare for the meetings?
“We are sent case documents to read well in advance of the meeting. Then the board of the local church invites the local elders to a meeting where we go through the items to be presented. We can also submit questions and input on items to be presented. This makes us feel heard and seen, even as a small local church in the larger community.”

The launch of digital mission has already taken place years ago. Several of the digital channels that have been in operation have already achieved high viewing figures. But now the initiative is gaining momentum in new areas. With funds from the mission collection, new opportunities open up to help fulfil the mission Jesus gave all disciples.

The result of the collection, which has been ongoing in the months leading up to the feast, is massive. Over NOK 26.8 million has been raised by members for the Hidden Treasures Foundation Publishers to drive digital mission. The list of donors includes over 100 churches and fellowships. The collection was budgeted at 25 million. It is the Assembly of Representatives that decides what purpose the collection will be used for, based on proposals put forward by the Elders.

– The task we have been given by the Elders is to put the church in “Go therefore” mode, Espen Kyllevik says referring to the great commission. He is the producer of the feast.

– We are experiencing a tremendous response. Many have been waiting for this. Everyone we talk to thinks it’s fantastic that what we hear at each meeting, and not least our songs, will now be much more accessible out there for anyone who wants to find it.

Go therefore – digitally

Since 1912, the Hidden Treasures publication has been published monthly. Even during the Second World War, when paper was rationed, production was kept up.

The magazine was to function as a snowplough, “because people can’t see the road”, Johan Oscar Smith wrote to his brother in December 1911.

From the beginning, the publication had most of its readership outside what was then the beginning of the church. Johan Oscar Smith encouraged people to spread the early issues of the publication.

The need to be able to see the way and spread the message of a life of sanctification is highly relevant today. The time has come to continue the line Johan Oscar Smith held from the beginning, to reach as many people as possible who have an ear for the truth, also on digital platforms.

Where can we read the publication?

A new website for Hidden Treasures is already in the making. The content on the site will be new and old literature, media and video content as well as study tools, which can spread the gospel and provide guidance in living in sanctification, as the Bible and Paul encourage us to do.

The funds will be used for publishing digital content. The existing paywall will be removed, making content easier to find, easier to share and easier for search engines to pick up.

According to the plan, the new website will be up and running in the autumn of 2024. We look forward to updating our readers at bcc.no and bcc.us.

New song from Shillong Chamber Choir

The film also launches a brand new song produced by the Shillong Chamber Choir, a multi-genre choir based in India.

“We are thrilled and grateful that they wanted to join us in this collaboration. We know they have a personal connection to the message, and it shows in the performance,” says Elise.

The song is based on Psalm 121, which Mordecai also quotes in the film.

“This is a wonderful psalm that provides enormous comfort, help and strength when facing the storms of life,” says the producer.

Part two of the story ready for the fall

The team is excited to present part 1 of the story of Esther, but is also continuing to work on part 2, which will be ready in the fall.

“It’s important for us that now that we’re telling this story, we have to do it properly. We must include all the characters and the events that unfolded. That’s why we’ve divided the story into two parts instead of compressing it,” says Elise.

The first part is more about Esther’s inner struggle. She had to leave everything that was safe, her environment and her people, and go into an unknown world with an uncertain future. But she didn’t go alone; she had God by her side, and her faith and trust in Him kept her safe. Everyone could sense that there was something special about Esther; she had strength and grace about her. Part two is about the struggle that arose after she became queen. With an external enemy that threatened the entire existence of the Jewish people. In faith, Esther gained the strength to stand up for her people. And God was involved and controlled it all in a wondrous way.

Part one of the film is included in the interactive time travel concept and is available from May 3, 2024 onwards.

Part two of the film is planned to be ready for screening in autumn 2024.

See a small taste of the film HERE.

Interested in learning more about Bible Kids’ time travel concept? Click HERE for more info – or go directly to the time travel yourself at THIS LINK.

By Kjetil S. Johnsen

The reading plan is now available in the popular Bible app from YouVersion, which has over 600 million downloads. Through a 3-day reading plan of key Bible verses, the significance of the temple for Christians today is explained. The collaboration with YouVersion represents a shared desire to make the Bible’s content accessible by combining the Bible texts with unique films from the game.

Arve Solli, head of the team developing the video game, hopes the reading plan will be thought-provoking and inspire many of the users of the Bible app.

“We hope the reading plan will help close the gap between modern technology and ancient scripture. Quite simply, it will inspire today’s young people to read more of the Bible,” says Arve Solli.

The game attracts attention in Canada

Arve was recently interviewed by the Canadian talk show 100 Huntley Street. He hopes the game will be well received among young people:

“Reading the Bible is one thing, but we also believe that understanding the context in which it was written and why Jesus used the examples He did, can have a huge impact. If they can also get a sense of the events, and what is at stake, and become immersed in the Bible stories, we believe they will understand the meaning of Jesus’ message much quicker.”

This is what the reading plan contains

The plan starts by exploring the role of the temple in ancient Israel. It was a holy place where God dwelt among His people, but commercial exploitation by traders was a major deviation from the temple’s intended purpose. It is written about Jesus in the Gospel of John 2:13-16:

“In the temple he found those who were selling oxen and sheep and pigeons, and the moneychangers sitting there. And making a whip of cords, he drove them all out of the temple, with the sheep and oxen. And he poured out the coins of the moneychangers and overturned their tables. And he told those who sold the pigeons, “Take these things away; do not make my Father’s house a house of trade.”

Jesus’ radical act of cleansing the temple is a powerful testimony of godliness and purity. These values are equally relevant for believers today who are called to be a temple of the Holy Spirit.

The reading plan includes unique videos from the game universe, taking readers back to the time of Jesus and giving them a first-hand experience of how we believe the events in the Bible unfolded.

Read the full reading plan in the Bible app here and feel free to share it with your friends.

Recently, I sat down with Phil Lee who is the lead project manager on the North American side of the planning committee and Rob Cheetham, who has responsibility for the feast content. Both are from Ottawa, Canada, and they are communicating both remotely and in person with other volunteers from the seven churches that are involved in planning.

Phil, what was your reaction when you learned that North America was being offered the opportunity to contribute and plan for the Brothers Conference?

 “I initially had mixed feelings of anticipation, excitement, but I think most of all, thankfulness. We from North America have traveled to Brunstad so many times over the years. However we are always there as ‘guests,’ with others doing most of the planning, and organizing of the many tasks that make such a large event run smoothly. 

To have an opportunity to work with many people from different countries, cultures and languages at Brunstad and contribute in a tangible way to an event is very special. As we began the project, I realized how much work it takes. This gave me such a greater appreciation for the effort that goes into making these events the best possible for our friends.”

Event planning for BCC events begins six months before the event date. This is an important aspect for the North American team, because they are planning the event entirely remotely in collaboration with two guides who work for BCC Event. This must present some unique challenges.  

“I think we all understood from the beginning that the international aspect of this was going to present a unique set of circumstances and challenges. However, everyone just dove in and worked. We were determined and confident that there was nothing too challenging to overcome.

One challenge that is actually quite significant is that the team in North America is spread all over the east coast from Connecticut to Delaware, Ohio, Michigan, New York, Ontario, and as far west as Manitoba. These events are usually managed by a team in one location, but we are spread all over. Endless early morning Zoom calls and a myriad of messenger chats resulted. There are many times that it would have been so much easier to have been together in person but we leverage technology for what we could. We do enjoy the few times we can meet as a team during conferences at Victory (in New York State). It is always special to see our ‘Zoom buddies’ and to have the chance to plan in person!”

Phil, did the event staff at BCC have any guidelines for you as you went through the process?   

“To begin with, we met with the representatives of the organizing team from BCC Events that we would be liaise with. This was the producer and the project manager. We were provided a framework for the organization we had to put in place locally here. The various roles and the general associated responsibilities were described to us in general level detail: Vision, Concept, Production, and Execution.

Of course, technology plays a large part in this type of project. Early in the process we realized that the organization at BCC Events was also very much still under development. At one point, it became painfully clear that we were really off track and to be honest, quite, quite lost. However, with really good communications, the teams on both sides of the ocean were able to identify the gaps in the process, and within one week the Miro template we were working on was overhauled and relaunched. Immediately, things worked so much better and we again found our way. That was an interesting experience of problem solving and teamwork.”

Phil, in the past few years at Brunstad, there has been a noticeable effort by BCC to encourage diversity and to celebrate the many cultures that make up the members of BCC. Through food, and activities the participants are able to experience and share other cultures and to gain an appreciation and understanding of unique aspects of their international members. How will you be choosing to share North American culture at Brunstad? 

“We are unique as people, and as lands. We all have so many different life’s experiences and these perspectives can bring out a totally unique flavor to an organization. This year, we will have a giant outdoor rib fest followed by a corn hole tournament. Though, I have to say, finding good quality ribs in Norway is a bit more of a challenge than it is here in Canada!”

Rob Cheetham was responsible for overseeing the organization and content for a feast meeting that took place during the event.  During these feasts, the entire group gathers for edifying messages delivered through sermons and testimonies, music and songs and multimedia content.

Rob, what was the theme for the feast? How did this become the theme (what was the process)?

“The theme chosen was ‘Hammerslag og Lovsang’ (‘Hammer blows and songs of praise’ in English). The first step in the process was initiated by a video message sent to all the local congregations in which one of the church elders asked for ideas from all members, both male and female.  The goal in doing this was to encourage participation in the brainstorming period and to gather many different ideas before choosing the final theme. 

The theme we chose was a representation of the whole work we did together to plan this event. The sense was very clear to urge the congregation to offer ‘sacrifices:’ their time, body and thoughts to serve the others. The hammer blows represent the work that is being done wholeheartedly and joyfully, so that each person can participate in the blessing that comes from being part of the work (the songs of praise that result from such a life).” 

When you were planning for the feast, how did you take the theme into consideration?  

“The theme affected many aspects. The film subject and the questions we prepared for the brothers to answer were of course in connection with the theme. The songs that were selected for the choirs to sing were related to the theme. And even the color scheme and font and the graphics selected were done with the theme in mind.”

How did the planning and execution go during the event?

“There are always challenges and unexpected things to deal with when planning for a event like this. We had a schedule and a timeline in mind – but we also needed to be flexible, and be willing to change things with little notice. When everyone working on such a project is focussed on fulfilling their responsibilities and working together to overcome challenges that arise then it creates a good environment and the participants notice this.”

Following the event, I caught up with both Phil and Rob. Back from Norway now, they both agreed that overall, the event went really well, despite some challenges with planning an international event from afar. 

They reported that participants really enjoyed the classic American steak and ribfest, the American style games, and especially the theme evening. And while they are looking forward to perhaps being a little less busy for awhile, both are also excited for the next time they can contribute to events in the future.

By Berit Hustad Nilsen

In recent years, BCC has invested in producing content for children, especially animated films about Bible stories. Over 50 films are already on the Bible Kids YouTube channel as well as on our app BCC Media, and more are being produced each year. Our wish is for the Bible to be accessible and brought to life for children.

Perhaps one of the most exciting stories is precisely what happened at Easter over 2,000 years ago. Click on the animated film below to see this explained in a simple and illustrative way.

Long Tradition in Celebrating the Easter Holiday

For over 100 years, BCC has organized Easter conferences. Since the church began using Brunstad as a meeting place back in 1956, the Easter festival has been celebrated there. This year is no exception.

Brunstad is the central gathering place for more than 220 congregations associated with Brunstad Christian Church worldwide, including 12 North American churches. Several generations have experienced fellowship and holidays together during the conferences at Brunstad and bonds of friendship have been forged across cultures, nations and age groups.

Easter Conference is a festive time when we gather around the life-changing message Jesus brought. In addition to Easter services, Easter Conference features activities, meals, and fellowship in and around the massive conference village at the Oslofjord Convention Center.

Voluntary Efforts Make Space for Young People

Things truly kick off on Saturday, the week before Easter weekend, though, and many voluntary hours are behind the preparations as 4,700 expectant young people arrive for Easter Camp, an international faith-based camp for 13-26 year olds. Young adults use the Easter holidays to help make the camp an unforgettable experience for younger teenagers.

The holiday peaks when over 12,000 members gather for the conference in the latter half of Easter week. The youngest participant is only a few weeks old, and the oldest is well over 100.

We wish our members a camp and conference filled with content, and all our readers a happy Easter!

This article takes us back 1.5 years to show how resolutions are made in the BCC Federation, and provide insight into the role local church representatives play in this process.

By Nellie Owens with Anne Lea Krarup Nielsen

Pling. Pling. The numbers and names roll across the screen. More than 140 votes cast in unison for the newest updates and changes to BCC’s donation model.

Solidarity – An organizational goal

BCC has always worked for solidarity in decision-making: This is a goal for most organizations, as internal unity builds confidence and supports and encourages growth and momentum in a nonprofit setting. But unity in decision-making, and support for a final result, is not necessarily evidence of a quick, seamless process – or unchallenged ideas.

Let’s take a look back at some of the action that led to this moment.

T – 117 Weeks (January 2021)

For a long time, there has been a need to distribute costs more fairly among members and at the same time secure fixed income for BCC. It has been decided that BCC will be established as an international federation, and this means that something must also be done about the way the religious community is financed.

The representatives’ secretariat has been given a mandate to put forward a proposal to change the entire way in which gifts are given to the association. A tithe-inspired solution called “givertjeneste” – or “donation model” in English – is outlined.

This income-based model supports the financial plans and goals of local assemblies and initiatives proposed and accepted by members of the BCC Federation, while also taking into account the vast differences in individual member incomes.

[Previously, members contributed a fixed monthly amount that was independent of personal financial circumstances. The new donation model seeks to create sustainable finances for BCC, while also making things more equitable and fair for individual members and member churches in countries with varying purchasing power].

T – 104 Weeks (July 2021)

The new donation model concept is adopted by three Norwegian pilot churches. Before approximately 80 congregations can change their finances, thorough testing is required. Three Norwegian assemblies (BCC Drammen Sande, BCC Molde, and BCC Oslo-Follo) agree to participate in the pilot process, implementing the new donation model and sending feedback to the team working with the concept. The pilot program is set to last 12 months.

In order to ensure clear information is shared with members, a separate committee is established from the representative council, which will assist in answering questions and creating information-based material.

At this same time, 11 North American assemblies become voting observers at the annual Assembly of Representatives meeting. One of the representatives from the Seattle church is Amy, who we will meet shortly.

T – 92 Weeks (October 2021)

Local boards for the pilot churches meet up (at various times) to debrief on and discuss the new donation model. Individualized budgets are drawn up, based on local circumstances.

During the summer of 2022, the entire project will be evaluated, and all members will be asked to give input.

T – 73 Weeks (February 2022)

The committee working directly with the new donation model is in close contact with the boards of the test congregations and obtains feedback on an ongoing basis. Together, group members disseminate the feedback and consider necessary changes and adjustments.

As research and work on the donation model continues, the need to inform members and the public about the developing donation system also becomes more obvious. This same committee develops a series of informational packets, videos and webinars, and spotlights “givertjeneste” on BCC’s internal monthly broadcast, the Magazine.

Simultaneously, an internal podcast is released, providing more context around the model’s purpose, and information regarding local implementation.

T – 48 Weeks: (Summer 2022)

The 11 observing North American assemblies are voted in as voting members of the BCC Federation’s international Assembly of Representatives. BCC Connecticut and BCC Seattle join as extraneous pilot churches, choosing to include regional and international conference costs in their local budgets and test the new donation model as a whole.

In Seattle, several meetings are held with focus groups, including members from various target audiences. The purpose is to explain the new concept to local members, to gain a better understanding of what local members want to prioritize in the budget, and to gauge how much members are able and willing to contribute before the donation model is introduced in a formal budget meeting.

T – 40 Weeks – (October 2022)

In Seattle and Connecticut, the budgeting process commences and is shared with the whole church, locally: Members send in pledges for 2023, church income is estimated, and funds are cut and re-worked. There is a lot of “back and forth” to ensure funding is maximized for member use, and many changes are made.

“In CT, we had open discussions about the implementation of the new donation model with many questions being asked publicly – but a number also privately,” shares Solveig Holm Anderson, a member of the finance team in BCC Connecticut.

“For example, members wanted to know how BCC Federation uses the funds which are paid to them via the fee of 3.5% of all local donations. Members were then informed as to how these fees are used, which includes the funding of church arrangements in Norway, the funding of providing digital content worldwide via our BCC Media app, in addition to the covering of administrative expenses associated with the BCC Federation organization. I think that by showing clear information on the use of these funds, it created a sense of investment on a very personal level and a sense of ownership.

“Another member wanted to ensure, the basis of income which is used for the percentage calculation is not benefitting business owners over employees here in the US. This was a valid point and as a result the guidelines for calculating the base have been adjusted. The whole point was to make the donation process a lot more fair, and the verse in 2 Cor. 8:15 really was an inspiration for the model: The one who gathered much did not have too much, and the one who gathered little did not have too little.’ (NIV)

“Overall, we tried to address all concerns that were voiced both publicly and privately about the donation model. Since this was a completely new way of donating for the entire church, it felt at times as if we were building the plane while flying it: We found a lot of sites for improvement and new discussion. And the feedback we received was really valuable to this process, helping to improve the model.”

T – 30 Weeks (December 2022)

The new donation model and budget goes to local U.S. pilot assemblies for vote. New autodeducts are discussed, and local members ratify the changes. After several conversations and feedback sessions, both local assemblies experience nearly 100% voluntary member participation. Shortly after, local boards meet together to begin implementing the new model.

Many other local churches, worldwide, also opt into the new donation model at this time, and the feedback process continues with members of piloting churches.

T – 16 Weeks (April 2023)

The Assembly of Representatives is scheduled to discuss and ratify changes to the donation model, based on pilot data and new organizational needs. In the round of questions that takes place between the case documents being sent out and the meeting itself, input based on experiences in different congregations is sent in. Several concerns are expressed, as well as questions posed over elements of proposed changes.

T – 8 Weeks (May 2023)

In May, a memo is sent out that describes the proposed framework of the donation model, based on feedback received. 26 consultation points from local churches are factored in, contributing to the improved final model that will be presented to the supervisory board on July 15th.

T – 4 Weeks (June 2023)

Case documents for the meeting are sent to local reps for review. Discussion continues locally, and financial boards deliberate over program changes and meeting points once more before the upcoming Assembly of Representatives Meeting.

Present Day (July 2023)

It’s now July 15th, 2023. The hall is filled with 163 voting members and 300 observing members. Dozens more follow along online. Representatives now have the opportunity to vote on the ratification of several updates to the donation model.

As the votes roll in, and the donation model changes are ratified, it’s clear that these votes represent more than solidarity: They also represent hundreds, if not thousands, of hours of work, discussion, and collaboration between members across an international organization – a testament to the positive results that come from member dedication to a common goal.

Amy, a representative from BCC Seattle, explains what she thinks about the outcome and process:

“I see it this way…,” Amy shares. “When I vote, I feel confident that we have thoroughly worked through the decision points. I’m personally responsible to make sure that I represent my local church well in these referendums, and that my vote is based on what we believe will be for the good of the whole Federation.

“Before any vote happens, we go through the points with the various groups that have decision-making responsibilities for those items at the local church level. We talk through everything. We air our concerns and give feedback to the Secretariat. I feel that we have to give it. The Federation can only make decisions with the info they have. Circumstances and laws in the US can be very different from Norway, so these are conversations that we have to have.

“When I see how much work goes on behind the scenes to create the initiatives we decide on, it gives me a lot of confidence in our direction. We see the vision: The end result is that the church has sustainable finances, finances that will allow more people all over the world to hear and experience the gospel.

“Our ultimate mission is to spread the gospel. Many of the initiatives that BCC Federation is working with note this in their core mission statements. This is a result that we all want, so even though there may be some differences of opinion along the way, when it’s time to vote, it’s easy to support this.”

Felicity has a background in singing and playing several instruments. She attended the training to assist the music groups, and when asked about the goal for such a training weekend, she replied; “We really want to inspire the next generation and spark an interest and desire in them to use their skills to elevate the music here.”

On the morning of the main event, I took a seat with my plate of food and studied the participants surrounding me. They were varied. American and Canadian, familiar and new, bright-eyed and gray-haired, analytical types and artistic counterparts. Some had years of experience while others were complete beginners, excited to learn. But despite our differences, we were all there for the same reason: we came to develop a technical or artistic skill to further God’s Word and Christianity. 

I took a seat in the packed hall for a brief kickoff, the light hum of conversation around me. A short service was given before a thought-provoking demonstration showing the importance of media, audio-visual devices, and music in helping to convey the message of the Gospel both on a local level and out on the mission field.

Frank, an energetic Dutch expatriate who has more than a decade of experience in AV, started the demonstration by reading some words from a song out of the songbook, “Ways of the Lord.” The words were good, but as he pointed out, they didn’t necessarily touch the heart of the listener just by reading. The lines were written to be put to a melody, so he then asked a vocalist, Liz, to sing a verse a cappella. The melody added emphasis in the right places and she sang well, but there was still a puzzle piece missing. 

“No goosebumps yet?” Frank said. “Okay. Let’s continue adding layers.”

Liz continued, this time with a backing track; the instrumentation lended backbone and power. She sang another verse and I caught auditory effects like reverb over her voice which added depth and silk.

Then the AV experts unleashed years of honed craft; what was once a well-illuminated hall became a concert stage with Liz in the spotlight. Vibrant back lights shimmered with flavor. Two large screens accentuated the lyrics. Along with everybody else, I was struck like a boxer in the knockout round when it was over.

Someone in the audience raised their hand and exclaimed, “Goosebumps!”

Frank resumed his place behind the podium. “Liz sang well, but she’s just the person we saw performing,” he pointed to the back of the hall where the AV crew operated. “It took several people to run the sound, the lighting, and the screens to bring out the depth in this song. It takes an entire team, and if we were missing any of these components, the message of the song couldn’t have been properly expressed. That is the reason we’re here this weekend.”

Armed with a new perspective, the group broke up to go to their elected breakout sessions, and I joined the other musicians. Most of the breakout sessions began with a training phase designed to equip beginners with a basic understanding of the subject. This was usually done by a combination of demonstration or presentation, and once the trainees had a grasp on the fundamentals, they were encouraged to practice with hands-on experience. 

The orchestra practiced pieces together, and the AV lighting crew created fixtures and programs for various occasions. The photographers learned some shot basics before mixing in focus, spacing, and exposure. Those operating video cameras cut between shots and filmed an impromptu karaoke show. 

In the digital musicians’ space, I was greeted by silence, but when I saw the musicians were wearing headphones, everything made sense. Getting to hear a few of their masterpieces made it entirely worth the initial confusion.

When I had the chance, I chatted with a few people responsible for organizing and constructing these courses. Luke is a music teacher and can play more instruments than most people know exist. I wondered about how much effort he had put into arranging the orchestral music program; he admitted it had been time-consuming, but seeing the hard work pay off far eclipsed the effort put in. “Let’s just say I’ve missed a few hours of sleep recently, but it’s all worth it. Working with others who are so enthusiastic for God’s Word has been a blast as well as personally reinvigorating.”

Several participants were inspired to refine their musical craft and involve themselves more. Sylvia, a clarinetist who traveled from Canada to learn vocal recording and play in the orchestra, was inspired to support her local church: “Our studio back at home doesn’t get used enough so we’re going to amp it up. I’m also going to start playing clarinet in our Sunday services.” 

The breakout sessions lasted through the afternoon, and that evening, when we were all dressed our spiffiest, we toasted to our accomplishments. Accompanied by good food, God’s Word, and games that raised laughter to the roof, we were treated to a talent show of the achievements of various groups. The orchestra and choir shared the stage for a few songs, and the photographers presented a slideshow of their captures. We enjoyed a collaboration from the video team and digital music participants: a short video using music made earlier that day. 

Selina is a young technician who had her first exposure to AV during this event. She was on a high, running point as the video mix director during the event: “I’m in charge of the whole broadcast– they actually trust me with it!” 

Breakout sessions concluded the following morning with a final session. While the first sessions were intended to teach handlebars from pedals, this session was simply meant to be fun. It was a chance to goof off, take funny pictures, and create crazy light shows. It was a chance to use new skills in a creative and free environment.  It was a chance to enjoy the company of new friends who shared similar interests.

Wandering through the sessions, I couldn’t help but smile at the enthusiastic and artistic atmospheres. I chuckled – and winced – at the puns supported by sound effects from the AV crew. From a safe distance, I watched photographers immortalize each others’ wild hairdos, stoic motifs, and vintage outfits. 

I asked participants Sean and Kaden – who both drove over 350 miles and crossed an international border to be here – if it was worth the journey. They both answered without a hint of hesitation; “Yes. Always. Definitely. There’s no question about it.”

In its entirety, the training weekend was intended to broaden horizons and skill sets as well as encourage young people to get involved in their local churches and communities. After seeing the energy, creativity, and enthusiasm invested in improving our media, I have no doubt this was achieved. I’m excited to see the elevated quality of music, AV, and media in the near future. 

East Coast preparations

Welcome to the hall of BCC Ottawa! A buzz of excitement is felt as soon as you step inside. A large poster of David and Saul greets you, along with cascades of colorful balloons and streamers. It is still several hours before the children will be arriving, but youth and adult workers are rushing around, finishing the last minute preparations for this much anticipated day.

Today is Bible Kids Explorers! Bible Kids Explorers is a program for children ages 6-12 that explores Bible stories in an innovative way through the use of films, and both virtual and physical tasks. In addition to the Bible Kids bi-weekly Sunday School, the Explorers is an extra special virtual time travel the children get to experience twice a year. They get to ‘travel back in time’ to explore Bible stories and experience how God’s Word can help us in various situations.

The experience is made complete with Bible Explorers stickers, Bible cards for the children’s treasure chests, and special Bible Explorers “merch.” This time it is baseball caps for all the kids.

The vision behind Bible Kids

Of course, there is a much deeper goal for the day than just having a good time. The vision for the program [as described by the BCC Committee on the Rights of the Child] is that: “What the children experience through BCC will draw them to Jesus for the rest of their lives. It will give them security, hope, and a longing for the heavenly. It will lay a foundation in the children and equip them to make good choices in any phase of life they may enter.”

With this in mind, and after entering the main hall filled with decorations and activities scattered throughout, it is understandable to wonder about the preparation and planning that went into such a day. There certainly are many practical efforts that took weeks and months of planning, from organizing children into groups with leaders, deciding and purchasing the food they will eat, who will order and pick up the highly-anticipated hats, decisions about decorations and how to make it a fun environment, etc.

Invested volunteers

“I want to be part of sowing God’s word so they can experience Jesus as a friend, helper, and a refuge.”

Stephanie has offered most of her day to cook and serve in the kitchen. The children will enjoy a pancake breakfast and pizza lunch today, and many hands are needed to make this run smoothly. Stephanie puts it simply: “Children are a precious gift from God. Jesus loved the children; they have a special place in His heart! They also have a very special place in my heart and I want to be part of sowing God’s word so they can experience Jesus as a friend, helper, and a refuge.”

Sam is a children’s worker who is responsible for boys ages 10-11. What motivates him to spend so much time with these boys? When asked, Sam laughs and says, “It certainly isn’t because I have a lot of extra time and don’t know what to do! What motivates me is that I have received something incredible from heaven. When I opened my heart to the message that we hear, and began to practice it, I received an incredible gift from heaven. I found the answer to all of my difficulties and became a happy person. When somebody has given you a great gift like that, it’s very natural to want to share that great gift with others.”

After hearing these two, there is no doubt today will leave the children with many good memories and valuable lessons for life.

West Coast happenings

On the opposite side of the continent, the Bible Kids groups in Vancouver, Canada and Seattle, Washington are working with the same vision to make this experience something the children will never forget. A group of twenty children and mentors from Vancouver are getting up early to drive three and a half hours.

“Are we there yet?” you hear Colin and Carter ask at least 10 times during the trip. These young boys are excited to get to their destination.

As you pull up to the hall in Seattle, you see the childen’s friends at the entrance, eagerly waiting to greet the carloads from Vancouver. Banners and yellow and purple balloons welcome you. The mentors from Seattle have also done a top-notch job decorating and prepping for the day’s activities.

A group photo is captured before the excited children are invited to enter the hall on a red carpet, cheering all the way inside. They gather for a short kick-off where they hear the exciting schedule that awaits them, and then energetically break off into their groups.

Bringing God’s Word to life

The day’s theme is Proverbs 4:23 “Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it flows the issues of life.” The Bible Kids are brought back in time to 1025 BC to hear the captivating story of David and Saul. They learn that David chose to keep his heart pure when he was young, and to be faithful to His God. At various parts of the program the Bible Kids are needed to complete various tasks, such as helping to choose a King for Israel, or finding a code in a cave where David can hide. Zip lines, potato guns, and a David and Saul capture game are all part of the plan to help focus on the theme of the day, making the Bible story  – and God’s Word – as tangible as possible.

Judith, from Seattle, has done a lot of the behind-the-scenes work to make this day a reality. “Some of the motivation behind being part of the Bible Kids day was to help the kids understand the story of David and Saul better and get more of a love and interest for the heroes we read about in the Bible,” she shares.

“Hearing about those special stories and learning about the heroes of faith when I was a child has given me a foundation and love for God’s word later in life. It’s so good to be able to be a part of making it exciting and real for the kids now.”

A Unified Work

All too soon, vehicles on both sides of the continent load up again with children, Bible Kids merch in tow.

Alexa, age eight, expresses sincere thankfulness that she could come on this day trip to Seattle. When asked what she liked about the day, she shares: “Learning about God, David and Saul, and all the activities. All the mentors made it so good for us.”

“I’d sum it up as epic and unforgettable,” one of the mentors says with a smile. “It was a fantastic day for everyone. People are going home happy, and have something good in their hearts to think about and live by.”

“A story from God’s word has been brought to life in a creative way, and hundreds of children in North America have had the opportunity to learn the same Biblical values.”

You watch as several of the mentors start to clean up: one pushes a large broom across the foyer, while another pops balloons enthusiastically.

It seems to have been a successful day. A story from God’s word has been brought to life in a creative way, and hundreds of children in North America have had the opportunity to learn the same Biblical values. Whether from east or west, Bible Kids Explorers encourages young Christians to apply God’s simple laws to their own lives with the goal of helping them feel equipped to make good choices at every stage of life.

By Eunice Lenk

For the past three years, Bible X has been creating Gate Zero, a groundbreaking new Bible video game that takes players back in time to explore ancient Israel, interact with gospel stories and examine the deeper meaning of Jesus’ words.

“We believe that there’s a great need for innovation when it comes to conveying the message that Jesus came with to the younger generation.”

As part of their research on the target audience, head of games Arve and a few others from the team travelled to California and Ohio last year in March to conduct in-depth interviews with youth pastors from seven churches.

The team hoped to get insight into youth ministry work in the US, the challenges youth pastors face and their sentiments on using a video game like Gate Zero in ministry.

Prior to this, the team had also met virtually with seven other youth leaders from Florida, Illinois, Michigan, New York, Ohio and Washington in the fall of 2021.

Youth need innovation

The youth pastors the team met with came from a variety of denominations with varying church sizes. All of them were full of youthful energy and keen on creating the best program possible to engage their students.

“We believe that there’s a great need for innovation when it comes to conveying the message that Jesus came with to the younger generation,” says Arve.

And the youth pastors agreed.

One challenge that many of them mentioned was the short attention span among youth today. “How can we capture their attention long enough to bring a message across?” is a real question youth leaders face.

Several shared that they try to bring in interactive elements in their teaching, from using props and games to lighting something on fire.

Using video games in ministry – a welcome possibility!

Through the interviews, the Bible X team learned that there is a need for a game like Gate Zero in educating young Christians today. Many of the youth leaders acknowledged that gaming is popular among their students. In general, their feedback on the game was very positive!

Several gave practical feedback on specific elements in the game. It was helpful to know that most of the youth leaders, regardless of denominational background, were open to using the game as long as it was true to the Bible.

Armed with valuable feedback from these conversations, the Bible X team travelled back to Norway in enthusiasm to continue developing what they hope to be the first of many high-quality, immersive Christian video games for youth.

About Bible X

Bible X was formed in 2020 as a subdivision of BCC Media STI in Norway. Their vision is to provide access to the most powerful message in the history of the world through immersive experiences.

They are currently developing Gate Zero, a story-rich adventure video game where you can travel back in time to explore 1^st century Israel, solve missions and dodge danger while experiencing Biblical events firsthand.

Designed with youth groups in mind, the game also includes a unique cross-platform co-op feature where groups can play together using a PC and mobile phones.

Release 1 of Gate Zero is planned for 2024.

Exclusive testers

From February to April last year, Bible X invited members of BUK (Brunstad Youth Club) to participate in their closed beta. Over 500 youth from BCC NA got to try out the beta version of Bible X’s game, meeting for several sessions over six weeks for gaming, good conversations and a fun time together with their friends.

Since then, Bible X has been tested by hundreds of gamers.

Listen to what Steve VanMeter (Forge Gaming), Micah Walsh (Riverview Church) and Bubba Stallcup (Love Thy Nerd) have to say after playing Gate Zero by clicking the video below.

Follow along!

Interested in more info and regular updates? You can follow along with Bible X and Gate Zero developments on Bible X’s exclusive YouTube channel: Bible X Game, Bible X’s Instagram (@biblexgame), or Bible X’s main websites: Biblex.io and Bcc.media/us.