Studio Elpizo Goes Visual

Thursday, Oct. 22, 2009 Posted: 1:16:41AM HKT

Best known for its positive radio programmes, Christian media ministry Studio Elpizo is moving into the realm of videos.

Having been involved in recording workshops and other events and storing them in the form of CDs and DVDs, Elpizo is looking at developing short-film social commentaries that provide spiritual insight.

Faith Toh, 34, who is Head of Programming, explains that the concept behind creating the two-minute video clips is not to tell people what to think, but ask a question, give a perspective, and ask what viewers think.

Too often Christians stop at hearing what their pastors say without thinking things through for themselves. Yet, self-reflection is an important aspect of grasping anything.

Through the short films, biblical beliefs are reaffirmed and unbiblical ones are challenged. At the same time, the videos are careful not to ‘shoot’ their viewers down but are meant only to be inspiring, she added.

A first shooting has been arranged on November 1.

While the ministry is attempting to help people find their own answers, Elpizo is also headed in the direction of answering questions that require some form of expertise.

To this end, the studio will be gathering a panel of experts on various subjects including family, child upbringing, health and dietary issues, and questions about the Bible or God.

Aptly named, ‘Ask’ is a response to the large number of relevant questions from listeners of the ministry’s programmes on the BE107 channel, of which Elpizo is a partner.

Already, the studio has a list of pastors, principals, educators and other experts who will be able to come on board just by recording a clip over a phone conversation, without having to turn up for a live recording session.

This week, Elpizo will be sending out newsletters and text messages to listeners inviting them to send in their questions in return for a gift pack so the ministry can get started on collecting the responses from experts. The studio aims to launch the short clip segment on its programmes some two weeks from now.

Incorporated in 1997, Studio Elpizo has a share in a Batam-based radio station from which it airs its programmes, which feature a mix of content.

There is a series of sermons by established Christian broadcasters, dramatised storytelling which imparts values to children, a 20-minute daily devotional programme by Trinity Christian Centre, programmes for Tamils, Filipinos and the Mandarin-speaking, a 90-second audio clip giving practical tips for total wellness, a 30-second reading of God’s Word with commentary and a daily reading of a Bible study guide.

Working with six other stations, the ministry’s nine programmes have a combined potential reach of at least 5.7 million people.

Edmond Chua
edmond@christianpost.com