One hundred sixty guests from Korea, the Philippines, Singapore, and the U.S. congregated on November 17 for the dedication service and thanksgiving banquet of the Fairbanks International School of Communication (FISC), as part of the celebration of the 25th anniversary of the Asia Pacific Nazarene Theological Seminary (APNTS).
As the guest speaker for the dedication service, International Board of Education Commissioner E. LeBron Fairbanks, said, “These are big dreams requiring great faith,” referring to the mission of FISC to train pastors, ministers, and media professionals to make disciples.
“Little did I know in 1985 when I began to dream of a communication center on the Asia Pacific Nazarene Theological Seminary campus,” Fairbanks remarked, “that the vision would develop into such a vital and vibrant center as witnessed today. What has emerged over the past 15 years far exceeds my ‘small’ vision. I am fascinated with the strong relationship between the APNTS master of Christian communication degree program and the Asia-Pacific World Mission Communication Center (WMC-AP). Because of this collaboration, the potential exists to dramatically impact not only the Asia-Pacific Region, but also the global Church of the Nazarene in making Christlike disciples in the nations.”
Fairbanks featured WMC-AP and its radio programs as examples of collaboration that were already in place. He added, “Media has an amazing ability to impact people … with either the right or wrong message. So our media developers need to produce out of a knowledge and understanding based in the best of our Wesleyan holiness tradition. Likewise, pastors, teachers, and church leaders must be trained in effective, relevant, appropriate, and culturally sensitive communication media. We give, support, and sacrifice for the International School of Communication because we seek no less than the very best education possible in shaping the emerging servant leaders who understand how to communicate effectively to their present generation.
“Collaboratively and collectively,” he continued, “we want to ensure that well trained, highly qualified, culturally sensitive, spiritually mature, and spirit-filled Christian communicators depart from the Asia Pacific Nazarene Theological Seminary to pastor our churches, teach in our schools, lead our denomination, and influence media organizations nurtured in the best of the Wesleyan-holiness theological tradition and the best in communication theory and practice.
“Our hope is in a big God who inspires His people to respond to His plans. Our response must be ‘yes,'” Fairbanks challenged.
As the dedication service progressed, the FISC committee, together with the congregation, was led by APNTS President Floyd Cunningham for a prayer of dedication of the school. Professor and FISC Director Kwon Dong Hwan was prayed for afterwards by Gi Hwan Jung of Manila New Life Church.
In order for the event to be more meaningful to the Korean guests, translation equipment was used for those who are major partners of the FISC program. This equipment had been previously donated by another faithful World Mission Broadcast supporter, Bill Levett.
The guests were ushered to the exhibit and tour area as part of the program in order for them to see the projects and facilities that FISC and its stakeholders have already prepared and accomplished for educating the past, present, and future students.
At the FISC banquet in the evening, World Mission Communications Global Director Dave Anderson gave his congratulatory message along these lines as well. “The communications school can be mightily used of God in the making of Christlike disciples and communicators in Asia-Pacific and beyond.”
Captain Jae Jung Jang, movie producer and president of the Korean Chamber of Commerce in the Philippines, also expressed his joy in congratulating FISC for its re-birth and drive to train more Christian media ministers in its state-of-the-art studio. He referred to World Mission Communications-Asia-Pacific as an asset to the media school.
Speaking from the perspective of a businessman, he added, “It is good for the school to be income generating since there are a lot of Korean ministries and businesses who need audio visual outputs that this media facility is capable of doing. It needs prayer to God.” Jang produced a film called Sa Kandungan ng Langit (Heaven’s Cradle), which won awards and nominations in the New York Film Festival. As he spoke, he stated his interest to continue partnering for Christian productions.
Other guests added their enthusiastic comments: “My wife had to go for chiropractic session, but cancelled it and begged for us to be here, and I think it was worth it,” exclaimed Dan Francisco, founder of Acts 1:8 ministries. This ministry reaches out to people for Christ through the use of visual media. Acts 1:8 is developing a partnership proposal designated for FISC scholarship funds.
Malvin Dinlasan of Lighthouse Educational Corp. committed his interest for media partnership and offered dubbing and translation projects for their Bible story videos on the same occasion.
At the end of the evening’s celebration, Anjung, Korea, Church of the Nazarene offered to pay for the banquet cost. They also pledged to finance the construction of an international conference room at the fourth floor of the Nielson Center for Evangelism and Education.
–Jay Mijares for World Mission Communications-Asia-Pacific
