17 June 2015 | Belgrade, Serbia [Sonja Kovačević/tedNEWS] On Sunday, 7 June 2015, 160 guests from home and abroad attended the opening ceremony of the newly-founded DREAMEDIA studio in Nova Pazova, Serbia.
Although dreaming can be difficult and dreams coming true even more so, this event is historical, an accomplished dream. The DREAMEDIA studio truly drove away every doubt in the promise of God: “Keep on knocking and the door will be opened to you.” (Matthew 7:7 NLT)
The South-East European Union’s (SEEUC) idea was to found a media centre that would cooperate with the printing house and be used within the EURODREAM concept; a house that would make a positive spiritual impact, not only on church members, but also non-Adventists whom God wants to reach through this ministry. Through the generosity of brother Kinder from Austria, who donated the building, this dream became a reality.
The ‘word’ as the primary means of communication has always been present. However, visual communication has now taken precedence in the media world. Forrester states that “If a picture is worth a thousand words, than one minute of video is worth 1.8 million”, implying that now, more than ever, pictures can have a significant impact.
“We live in a time in which people’s lives are coordinated by media and reality is veiled by the unavoidable presence of social media. Programmes that are broadcast on the Internet are the most common form of media today”, observing that Đorđe Trajkovski, the SEEUC President, empathised with this idea.
Having become aware of this emphasis on media, the main Board of the Seventh-day Adventist Church of the SEEUC made a decision to launch a media centre project three years ago.
“Since there was a need not only for expertise and experience, but also for the vision to materialise, we asked Miroslav Pujić, the Trans-European Division Communications and Media Ministry Director, to lead this project”, explained Trajkovski. He added, “His experience, as well as a great number of acquaintances he had made, largely contributed to the fundraising invested in something we are proud of today. We would like to thank the Trans-European Division for allowing Miroslav to take the time in making this project a reality. His associates in this project were Alma Bosnić, the SEEUC’s former Media Ministry Director, and Dragan Pejovski, the newly-elected Director. Their selfless contribution was exceptional and for this we would like to express our appreciation”, concluded Trajkovski.
“The undeniable presence of both the Internet and social media allows us to reach people across the world in an effective, yet simple way”, said Pujić, and continued: “It is this goal, reaching people for Christ, which we are willing to fight for and will strive to achieve. I am very happy and thankful to God for a studio professionally equipped to produce high quality programmes with relevant content for the contemporary society.”
Trajkovski similarly expressed his gratitude to God with the following words: “Not a single idea, nor any elaborate plan, nor a passionately defined goal would not have been achieved if it weren’t for the One who said: ‘Ask and you shall receive’, (Matthew 7:7), firmly promising that He would hear and ‘give you your heart’s desires’. (Psalm 37:4) Therefore, we owe our deepest gratitude to our Lord and Creator!”
The inauguration ceremony was attended by prominent guests of the Seventh-day Adventist media world: Benjamin Schoun, the General Conference Vice President; Greg Scott, the Adventist World Radio (AWR) Director; Corrado Cozzi, the Inter-European Division Communications and Media Ministry Director; Adrian Dure Cayrus, and Paulin Giurgi, Production and Communications Director of Stimme der Hoffnung in Germany.
Julian Kastrati, Media Ministry Leader in Albania, with his wife Beatrice, Darko Kovačević and Iren Ocsai, Media Ministry Leaders in Croatia and Hungary were also present.
Dragan Pejovski, the SEEUC Media Ministry Leader shared the future vision of DREAMEDIA: “In addition to producing programmes and recording events intended for church member, DREAMEDIA will also produce programmes for non-Adventists who search for true values in a completely new form of ministry – ‘Više od života’.” (www.viseodzivota.com)
The fact that DREAMEDIA has already been working for a year is of great importance for the SEEUC. In the spring of 2014, a newly founded television called LCTV began operating as an integral part of LIFEconnect – an online community where people can explore life together (www.lifeconnect.info). More than 7 million people have visited the pages of this great social network, and hundreds of people have watched the programmes produced in this studio in many different languages.
Impressions, messages and encouraging words received on the website, have made the team even more determined in the desire and intention to realise the vision.
“I believe this media centre will be purposefully used in the Seventh-day Adventist world for a missionary work. This is the way to connect with those whom we could never reach. Praise be to God for this amazing project”, said Vesna Nikić from Novi Sad, Serbia.
Dolores Milošev, also from Novi Sad, shared her excitement, “Programmes we usually come across on television display negative news and may have unbalanced political content. DREAMEDIA is different. It has a positive approach to life and promotes true values. I haven’t come across anything like it yet. I cannot wait for the new season!”
Our society and its individuals are overwhelmed with all sorts of media messages”, commented Branko Lukić, the SEEUC South Conference President. He added: “Now, we have a media centre that offers programmes with messages of spiritual values, the values people need in order to grow holistically.”
We would like to express our deep appreciation to all of those who donated to this studio with generous donations as well those who contributed with their talents in order to make DREAMEDIA a reality.
Someone once said that this world needs dreamers, but dreamers who act and dreamers who dream God’s dream. Let us actively support one another, respond to the call and use the wonderful opportunity offered to us. [tedNEWS]
tedNEWS Staff: Miroslav Pujic, director; Deana Stojkovic, editor
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