EMDC 2026 Training Track Descriptions

Training Track Descriptions

In addition to over 70 seminars and workshops during EMDC 2023, we offer 4 days of pre-EMDC Training (10-13 May) and 4-days of post-EMDC Training (19-22 May) in the following 30 Tracks. This Training is a separate event and requires a separate registration. EMDC retains the right to cancel a Track if the trainers are no longer available or for other reasons the leadership may have. For any inquiries you may contact the trainers directly (see the descriptions below for the email addresses) or training@emdc.info.

The training workshops offered at EMDC and the pre-EMDC and post-EMDC Tracks are the practices and opinions of the organizations or persons presenting them and are in no way endorsed by EMDC as the best or only approach.

Several Tracks fill up early and we have to close them. It is also possible that one or more of these Tracks will be cancelled (trainer gets ill; not enough students). In that case we will contact you to ask you to pick another Track.

Click below to know more details about the training tracks.


(4 days) May 10-11-12-13		(4 days) May 19-20-21-22
1	Video 1	18	Mobile Production
2	Audio Tech	19	Radio Production
3	Making Meaningful Media	20	Books w/ Bloom & Create Seeds
4	Culture Meets Scripture	21	Scripture Engagement
5	Scripture App Builder	22	Dictionary App Builder
6	Digital Bible Library Curator	23	Digital 2D Animation
7	Freedom Ascent	24	Good News Conversations
9	Kalaam Media	25	Social Media
10	Alpha Tiles	26	Trauma Healing – Initial
11	Simply The Story	27	Trauma Healing – Advanced
12	AI and Chatbots	28	Dubbing
13	Literacy	29	PTX Print
14	Outcome Harvesting	30	Community Health Evangelism
15	Textual Criticism	31	Strengthening Christian Families
16	Diaspora / Refugee	32	Scriptwriting
		33	FLExTrans

PRE-EMDC (10-13 May) TRACKS

Track 1
Producing Short Films

Category: Production

Course Description: Learn to produce short films for evangelism, marketing, or fundraising.
Training method: Both theoretical and practical training
Who will benefit from this training?: Anyone who is interested in producing media for their ministries.
What will you learn from this course?: In this course you will learn to script, storyboard, and produce a short film. You will leave this training with your own short film you can use in your ministries!
Special requirements: No prior media production experience necessary
How to prepare and what to bring along: Please bring any phone, camera and/or laptop equipment you will be using. We may have some equipment available for those that do not have their own.

Maximum number of participants: 30
Contact the track leader: Darin Dunn (darindunn@gmail.com)

Track 2
Audio Recording Techniques

Category: Production

Course Description: What is the impact of a good audio recording? That’s what you will hear and learn in the EMDC basic audio training. Two highly experienced field professionals share every secret to help you succeed with an intelligible and quality recording. Whether it’s a Bible reading, interview, drama or music recording, Nathanael and Joost want to give you a foundation.
So, if you’re a field worker who likes to go out with good and beautiful stories that make an impact on listeners, come to this basic audio training. We want to spoil your ears with good sound and intelligible audio. But for that, of course, you will first have to work on your own. We have different parts, both a basic theory and working out in practice. That means we tell you in our training what sound is, how to make a good and correct recording. What equipment is best for your environment and recording? What do you need for a good studio? How to edit properly and when is it good enough? We will also explain on which platform you can publish your audio, there will be plenty of room for your questions and you will have the opportunity to work with all kinds of sound and recording equipment. This way you can see, hear, and experience if and which materials are best for your ministry.
Training method: Lecture, practical, hands on, participatory
Who will benefit from this training?: This track is for those who want a basic understanding of audio and how to produce good quality audio recordings. Whether you have been recording for many years and want a refresher or are just starting to get into this field; there is something for you in this training track.
What will you learn from this course?: You will learn basic audio recording techniques as well as how to produce audio for scriptures, stories or music.
Special requirements: There are no requirements for this track. Come with whatever experience that you may have. Let’s learn from each other.
How to prepare and what to bring along: You will need to have your own computer and some kind of headphones.

Maximum number of participants: 20
Contact the track leader: Joost Bastiaans (joostbastiaans@twr.nl,) Nathanael Gregoriev (nathanael_gregoriev@sil.org)

Track 3
Making Meaningful Media

(formerly known as Culturally Intelligent Media)

Category: Communication, Anthropology

Course Description: How do media work and how do they communicate meaningfully in different parts of the world? How do you gain insights about your audiences? Do you know which media products are likely to be the most effective? What do you need to know to make media as meaningful as possible? Join us and see how a little anthropology can go a long way to answer these questions!
In this track, we look behind the scenes of media. We start with the premise that it’s essential to know our audiences and understand what media are for them. We mainly draw on current anthropology – which is the study of humans – as well as communication theory and media studies. We use examples from film, which is the richest form of media, to demonstrate how and why different audiences understand media differently. You will learn how important people’s backgrounds and life experiences are in shaping the meaning they gain from media. Similarly, media producers’ backgrounds and life experiences shape the media products they create. We also look at what audiences think about media technology, which can add a twist to the communication process.
Since audiences are so central to media practice, we learn more about how to study them. We also learn how to evaluate media products before using them. This is crucial for maximizing the meaningfulness and impact of our media products. You won’t make or produce anything in this track, but we have lots of interaction and discussions about films and video clips that we watch together.
Training method: Both theory and practical exercises
Who will benefit from this training?: Everybody who is interested in cross-cultural communication using media including users, producers, distributors, project managers, mission directors, decision makers, etc.
What will you learn from this course?: We will learn about and discuss the following:

What is communication and how does it work in different parts of the world?
What is anthropology and why is it important for media and communication?
Which media characteristics are prone to be understood differently in different parts of the world?
How do our experiences and backgrounds affect the way we understand and use media technology?
What is the value of localizing media production?
How can you do anthropology and learn more about your audiences?
How can you test your media products for meaningful communication?
How do you learn which media people use in specific locations?
We practice our new skills by watching, analyzing and discussing two movies.

Special requirements: None
How to prepare and what to bring along: No preparation needed, just come and enjoy!

Maximum number of participants: 12

Contact the track leader: Johannes Merz (johannes_merz@sil.org)

Track 4
Culture meets Scripture

Category: Communication, Anthropology, Scripture Engagement

Course Description: Important cultural events like deaths, births, weddings, festivals, natural disasters, etc. are marked by rituals. But those practices often contain beliefs and values that typically involve “bowing to other gods.” The goal of this training is to equip participants with a way to dig deeply into the motivating forces for their cultural practices and bring Scripture to bear on them in order to make choices that honor God.
Training method: Mostly practical / exercises
Who will benefit from this training?: Absolutely everyone
What will you learn from this course?: You will learn to look deeply into the assumptions foundational to each ritual, the reasons for each step and the consequences feared if not done. These driving forces (reasons, consequences and assumptions) are brought to Scripture for God’s perspective on handling that issue. Participants will also discuss ways to build the Body of believers into a strong mutually supporting body. Time permitting, they’ll delve into the authority of Scripture, restoration and dealing with spiritual powers.
Special requirements: Come with a knowledge of your default culture(s).
How to prepare and what to bring along: Bring your Bible.

Maximum number of participants: 100
Contact the track leader: Amy West (amy_west@sil.org)

Track 5
Building Apps with Scripture App Builder

Category: Production

Course Description: How do I build contextually appropriate apps with Scripture App Builder? We will show you how to take Bible text and audio (in one or more languages) and turn them into a smartphone app. There will be time to work on a practical app project of your choice, and you will see examples of what others have done around the world.

Topics covered will include:

How to build an app with Scripture App Builder
Designing your app to be appropriate to the intended audiences
Synchronizing text and audio, so that phrases are highlighted as they are read
Designing attractive app icons, splash screens and other app graphics
Including multiple Bible translations and scripts within the same app
Song books, Bible studies and Contents menus
Glossary entries and cross references
Verse of the Day, and push notifications
Embedding video, such as YouTube videos or JESUS film clips
Deep linking to specific pages in the app from outside the app
Understanding copyright and licensing
Including Analytics within your app, and how to view the data on app usage
Online and offline distribution methods, and promotion on social media
Understanding the difference between Android and iOS apps and how to publish them on the app stores.
Checking that an app is ready to publish.

The training is led by the team responsible for the development and support of Scripture App Builder, so please come with your questions and ideas for future improvements.

Training method: Software demonstrations and hands-on practice
Who will benefit from this training?: You might be new to building apps and want to learn to create your first app. Or you might be an existing user of Scripture App Builder and you want to get a better understanding of some of the more advanced and newer features in the software in order to improve your apps. You do not need to be a computer programmer – no coding is required.
What will you learn from this course?: You will learn how to create a Bible app with Scripture App Builder, with appropriate features and content for your context.
Special requirements: You should come with translated Bible text (in Paratext format), Bible stories or Bible studies (in Microsoft Word format). If there is an audio recording of some of the text, that would be ideal. You do not have to have a whole Bible or New Testament; if you have just one book or a few chapters translated, you can still build an app. What is important, however, is that you have permission to distribute the content.
How to prepare and what to bring along: Please bring with you:

a computer (with several GB of free space on your hard disk);
an Android smartphone (Note: if you have an iPhone and want to learn how to build iOS apps, we will cover this too, but you will need to have a Mac computer.);
a USB cable to connect the smartphone to your computer;
earphones/headphones to watch training videos and work on text-audio synchronization;
any data that you want to use to build into an app (e.g. Scripture text, audio, Bible study questions, illustrations, videos, etc.)

Maximum number of participants: 40
Contact the track leader: Richard Margetts (richard_margetts@sil.org)

Track 6
Digital Bible Library

Category: Publishing

Course Description: Participants will learn how to prepare Paratext projects for digital publishing through the Digital Bible Library (DBL).
Training method: DBL training will include lecture, PowerPoint presentations, live demonstrations and hands-on practice using Paratext and the Paratext Registry.
Who will benefit from this training?: Anyone from an Organizational Unit (OU) who manages a scripture project, is involved in the choice of USFM markers for scripture projects, does the typesetting of scripture projects, or is involved in the final submission of scripture projects to the DBL for digital publishing will benefit from this training.
What will you learn from this course?: At the end of the course, participants will understand all steps necessary for successful submission of both texts and audio files to the DBL.
Special requirements: Students are required to have a laptop with both Paratext 9 and the Paratext Registry installed. They must also demonstrate a basic knowledge of Paratext. It is recommended that they come to the class with a Paratext project from their area available for them to work with, although this is not a requirement. The class will provide practice projects. This course will be taught in English, so a working understanding of the English language is necessary.
How to prepare and what to bring along: Bring a laptop with the latest version of Paratext installed. You will be provided with a syllabus.

Maximum number of participants: 20
Contact the track leader: Lois Gourley (lois_gourley@sil.org)

Track 7
Story Weavers – Freedom Ascent

Category: Scripture Engagement, Orality

Course Description: Freedom Ascent is a long-term Scripture engagement experience to strengthen people for living inn victory over their vulnerabilities and harmful habits, including recovery from addictions. The program is build around 10 Biblical strength-builders which are beliefs and practices from Scripture for living in the freedom that God provides in Christ. Freedom Ascent can be utilized as a free-standing, church-based program which can complement medically survived rehabilitation as well as other recovery programs.
Training method: Participative, interactive, Bible Storying
Who will benefit from this training?: Anyone interested n moving one from the vulnerabilities and harmful habits or addictions to healthy living and freedom in Christ.
What will you learn from this course?: Living with Scripture at the center of one’s identity, beliefs, and habits, and helping others to also grow in strength, experiencing freedom over harmful habits and addictions.
Special requirements: Participants should have personal motivation for Scripture Engagement that addresses their felt need to gain victory of their own vulnerabilities and harmful habits. If they intend to go on to help others, then they “also” need to understand that this level of Scripture engagement usually requires a long-term and highly relational commitment to a mini-community of recovery.
How to prepare and what to bring along: Due to the special challenges of addiction recovery, plese read up on Freedom Ascent at FreedomAscent.org prior to the workshop.

Maximum number of participants: 20
Contact the track leader: Valerie Fernandez Diaz (valeriefernandez@storyweaversglobal.org)

Track 9
Websites: Design, Build, Launch (Kalaam Media)

Category: Production, Distribution

Course Description: Websites are an effective tool to reach your audience. The aim of this course is to help you create and launch a website for your ministry in 4 days! Kalaam Media exists to provide an easy path to culturally specific websites. We will be building websites on Wildfire, our custom web builder application.
Training method: Our instructors will demonstrate the techniques, then you will learn by practicing and doing it yourselves. This is a hands-on course and you will be building a website as you learn.
Who will benefit from this training?: This training is for non-programmers, therefore anyone who has media to publish on websites and basic computing skills will benefit. Most of our participants are working in language communities who wish to build multilingual sites which promote Scripture in languages which do not already have an internet presence. Other types of ministries that desire a website can benefit as well, such as Churches, Media to Movements, and others.
What will you learn from this course?: You will first learn how to plan your website for your target audience, then how to create your own website based on that plan. At the end of the time together, the goal is to launch your website so it can be accessed anywhere in the world.
Special requirements: This training track assumes the participants have a basic knowledge of computers, meaning familiarity with browsing the internet, saving files in folders on their device, typing, etc. We do not charge any fees to build a website or to launch it with us.
How to prepare and what to bring along: The main requirement is to bring lots of good media to put on your website. Gather relevant pictures, audio, video, text, documents, and whatever it is you want to share with your audience. You must bring a laptop that you can use to build your website with. Our web builder application is an online tool, so you will not need to install any special software. An external mouse is highly recommended.

Maximum number of participants: 20
Contact the track leader: Dave Johnson *dave@kalaam.org)

Track 10
Alpha Tiles

Category: Production, Distribution

Course Description: In this course, students will learn how to build a correctly structured “language pack” and how to use Android Studio to build new versions of the Alpha Tiles app. The Alpha Tiles apps is a literacy games app for Android phones. It includes more than 100 games and has been localized into 46 languages. https://alphatilesapps.org/.
Training method: This is a hands-on course. We will use real language data to create or update language packs and to then build the apps with Android Studio.
Who will benefit from this training?: This course is ideal for individuals who are interested in supporting teams creating Alpha Tiles apps for their languages. This course will prepare the students to be able to help others prepare language packs and build Alpha Tiles apps.
What will you learn from this course?: Students will learn how all of the elements of a language pack relate to the games and features of the Alpha Tiles app. Students will also begin to learn to use Android Studio.
Special requirements: This course is for language technology specialists, computer programmers and others with advanced computer skills. For example, if someone has taught themself to use one of the App Builders (RAB/SAB/DAB/KAB) without assistance, then they will be able to benefit from this course
How to prepare and what to bring along: Bring a laptop with >= 8 GB RAM. If possible, install Android Studio prior to arriving. If possible, watch this 9-minute video prior to arriving: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s-HAUAc6tAg.

Maximum number of participants: 12
Contact the track leader: Aaron Hemphill (aaron_hemphill@sil.org) ,Lainey Miller (lainey_miller@wycliffe.org)

Track 11
Hands-on Orality Method: Simply The Story

Category: Orality, Scripture Engagement, Evangelism, Discipleship

Course Description: Learn Simply The Story, used in more than 135 countries for in-depth, oral based, Scripture engagement, church planting, evangelism and more. This course provides training to equip oral learners in the Bible and skills for reaching the lost. See families and whole villages change!
Training method: Theory and practical exercises
Who will benefit from this training?: Benefits anyone interested in orality, Scripture engagement, reaching the lost, and discipleship. Applicable methodology for adults and children.
What will you learn from this course?: You will learn skills for personal study, small group Scripture Engagement, and how to reach non believers using the STS orality method.
Special requirements: None.
How to prepare and what to bring along: Bring yourself. Gain an extra step (but not necessary) if you want to download the free STS handbook in advance. Handbook available at www.SimplyTheStory.org under the Resources tab and Gifts. Email us to learn which part to read first.

Maximum number of participants: 100+ (no limit)
Contact the track leader: Butch Vernon (vernon@simplythestory.org) Larry Dinkins (larrydinkins@gmail.com) , (andrea@storymail.net)

Track 12
Artificial Intelligence Workflows and Chatbot Platforms

Category: Distribution

Course Description: This training course will expose participants to Artificial Intelligence (AI) and chatbot concepts that improve their ability to handle the next generation of online responses and engagement with the Gospel. This theory will be paired with practical access to existing application programming interfaces (APIs) of pre-built AI models as well as building a basic chatbot to engage the target audience
Training method: Both theory and practical exercises
Who will benefit from this training?:Anyone who is looking for a way to leverage Artificial Intelligence and chatbots to increase effectiveness and capacity in the work of the Gospel.
What will you learn from this course?: What chatbots are and how they can be used for mission. How to design a simple chatbot with potential for machine learning.
Special requirements:

An interest in machine learning (ML) and artificial intelligence (AI)
Experience with spreadsheet-like data management (e.g., CSVs, Excel or Airtable)
Comfort working with web applications via graphical UIs (we will also introduce programmatic methods to build custom models and manage chatbots, but use of these methods is optional depending on your use case)

How to prepare and what to bring along:

A laptop, charger, etc.
An analog or digital notepad
(Optional, but encouraged) An idea for an application of ML/AI or chatbots

Maximum number of participants: 25
Contact the track leader: Tim Klassen (lightofhopemedia@gmail.com)

Track 13
Heart Language Literacy – Teaching Learners to Read in the Language of Their Heart

Category: Literacy

Course Description: This workshop will focus on how to train speakers of a language group to create their own materials for teaching reading in their communities and churches. If people can read the Bible in their heart language they can deepen their faith, teach others and also learn to read the national language more easily.
Training method: LInstructor led teaching, guided discussions, hands on, peer discussions..
Who will benefit from this training?: Literacy workers and teachers who wish to help others learn to read in their own heart language. Materials will be varied, however, the end goal is to teach and encourage others to read the Bible for themselves in their heart language with understanding and application.
What will you learn from this course?: Participants will be introduced to the basics of “primer” production (lessons that teach the sounds and symbols of a language) and how to create relevant stories and materials to use with the primer. A “mini illustration workshop” helps assure pictures in the materials will be culturally relevant.
Special requirements: Participants should come with a desire to teach others and encourage them in the joy of reading their “own” language. Previous teaching experience is a plus, but not required.
How to prepare and what to bring along: Nothing is required other than a desire to learn and a heart to teach others.

Maximum number of participants: 20
Contact the track leader: Liz Foerster (liz_foerster@sil.org), Diane Dekker (diane_dekker@sil.org), Samollay Sakuljaroenlert (samollaysakuljaroenlert@gmail.com)

Track 14
Outcome Harvesting

Category: Scripture Engagement

Course Description: During these 4 days you will learn about the Outcome Harvesting method which helps us gain a broad understanding of what changes we are contributing to,. OH is especially valuable in evaluating change in complex contexts. You will collect and write up outcomes, and evaluate and reflect on the changes that your project has contributed to. By the end you will come away with the skills to implement the Outcome Harvesting method in your own project and better understand the progress your project is making.
Training method: The course aims to be a hands-on workshop, teaching the process of outcome harvesting by coaching you through a mini-evaluation of your own project. We will cover some theoretical sessions on using the Outcome Harvesting method for complex contexts, use simple participatory methods to help surface changes you have contributed to (but may not have thought about), practice writing outcome statements, do some initial analysis and reflection of the outcomes you have found, and then develop a plan for further implementation of this method in your project.
Who will benefit from this training?: Anyone who wants to learn how her/his project is doing in order to make more informed decisions going forward.
What will you learn from this course?: You will learn why we need a method like Outcome Harvesting to evaluate change in complex contexts. You will learn to use Outcome Harvesting as a monitoring, evaluating, and learning approach.
Special requirements: Active engagement and knowledge about a specific project and the people involved and influenced by this project, so participants can draw on their own observations and own experiences, and work with real data. We strongly recommend doing this with at least one other person from your project, to help bring different perspectives, and help you reflect together.
How to prepare and what to bring along:

Bring with you your project documents (like funder reports, project proposal/brief, other monitoring and/or evaluation reports).
A computer with access to google sheets.
Watch the three videos on YouTube that give you a good introduction to the Outcome Harvesting method. (Benefits of OH – How is OH done? – How is an outcome statement formulated?).
Think about what issue is it that your project is trying to address, and who is involved in making the situation what it is today?

Maximum number of participants: 12-16 (a minimum of 2 people per project)
Contact the track leader: klaas_devries@sil .org,

Track 15
Textual Criticism Workshop

Category: Translation, Production

Course Description: When working on Bible translations, translators, translation/exegetical advisors and translation consultants often have to make textual critical decisions. However, many of them find making textual critical decisions difficult and scary, especially for the Old Testament. Unfortunately, many books and lectures on textual criticism are very technical and complicated. This workshop attempts to clearly explain both the theory and practice of textual criticism, with most of the time spent on learning how to use the textual apparatus and other tools to make good textual critical decisions.
We will look at textual criticism of both testaments, however most of our time will be spent on Old Testament textual criticism as this is normally the one that translators find most difficult.
Training method: Theory: Teaching on the history of textual transmission and textual critical resources.
Demonstration: The instructor will work through several textual critical examples.
Practical: Students will practice working on textual critical problems in a workshop format. This will take up most of the time.
Who will benefit from this training?: Bible translators: Mother-tongue translators, exegetical advisors, translation advisors and translation consultants.
What will you learn from this course?: At the end of this course, the student should have a firm understanding of the resources available to help make textual decisions, know how to use the apparatus in the UBS Greek New Testament and the BHS Hebrew Old Testament, and be able to make textual critical decisions.
Special requirements: The student needs to have studied Hebrew or Greek to at least a basic level. He or she should know the Hebrew and Greek alphabets, and with the help of Logos or Paratext helps, be able to read Hebrew and Greek narrative texts with some understanding. If a student only knows Hebrew or Greek but not both, he/she can still attend but may find it harder to follow when we are working on the language she/he doesn’t know. If you are unsure about whether your Hebrew or Greek is sufficient, please contact the track leader for advice.
How to prepare and what to bring along: Please bring along any textual critical examples you have come across in your work, and we may be able to work through them in the workshop.

Maximum number of participants: 30
Contact the track leader: thomas_hemphill@sil.org

Track 16
Diaspora /Refugee

Category: Communication

Course Description: The crisis of forced displacement is a defining issue of our times and one that lacks sustainable solutions. People who have fled their homes because of violence, hatred, and persecution are stuck for years or decades in a battle for survival while they look for a permanent place to call home.
The Church has so much to offer along the refugee highway, but extra care is required for this type of work. Ministry in a humanitarian context is complex. This track will focus on best practices for refugee ministry and how Christians can play a meaningful role in walking with displaced people on the long road of recovery.
Training method: Both theory and practical exercises
Who will benefit from this training?: Leaders who wish to engage with refugees and other displaced people will benefit. In the past we had participants focused on one local context as well as those who are thinking more broadly on behalf of a region or larger group. This course is suitable for people with little to no experience as well as those who have some experience but wish to focus or re-tool their approach.
What will you learn from this course?: You will gain a basic foundation for understanding the reality faced by people who have been forced to flee their homes. The course will provide a framework for how Christians can make a meaningful difference in this area. You will learn about principles of best practice for this type of ministry. You will have the opportunity to discuss the unique challenges in your context with others. You will leave with tools for evaluating and planning a ministry with displaced people.
Special requirements: None
How to prepare and what to bring along: Nothing

Maximum number of participants: 18
Contact the track leader: sunny_hong@sil.org, jacob.tornga@iafr.org

POST-EMDC (19-22 May) TRACKS

Track 18
Mobile Production

Category: Production, Communication

Course Description: In your heart is the greatest story the world has ever known. In your hands is a powerful tool to help you share that story – your smartphone. The tremendous adoption of mobile devices and social media for entertainment, learning, and connection, gives us an opportunity to identify seekers and connect with them for discipleship. This hands-on workshop takes you through planning, shooting, and engaging your audience with visual stories using your own mobile device. Bring it, and be ready to be creative!
Training method: Mostly practical / exercises
Who will benefit from this training?: Anyone interested in creating content for social media, etc., but does not have access to traditional media production methods.
What will you learn from this course?: How to create media content using just a mobile phone and some inexpensive, basic equipment.
Special requirements: A cell phone, a desire to learn.
How to prepare and what to bring along: You must have your own mobile phone (smartphone, not feature phone) capable of taking video and still images. You should also bring any other equipment you may already own (a microphone, tripod, etc.).

Maximum number of participants: 20
Contact the track leader: Jeff Gregory – jeff.gregory@eu.agwm.org

Track 19
Radio Production

Category: Production

Course Description: Radio knows no boundaries. It is a mass media that makes so much impact. Many people listen together in a village or all behind a closed door. How beautiful it is to have God’s word heard over the airwaves. So many groups can be reached through this simple and relatively inexpensive medium.
In this radio/audio training we will take you through the intricacies of being a programmer for radio and audio. What is the power of radio, who do I want to reach with it, why should I use radio? How do I make a good overview of how to reach the target group? What is a script, how do I make a script? How do I keep my story interesting to listen to, how do I record it and what is a good edit? What else is involved besides broadcasting and what else can I use the program for. So much is possible with a radio program. That is an important part of the training.
Training method: Lecture, practical, hands on, participatory.
Who will benefit from this training?: People who are wanting to produce audio for radio.
What will you learn from this course?: You will learn how to write, program, and produce an audio program for the Radio.
Special requirements: You need to have a basic understanding of audio and recording. If you have no experience of recording, we would recommend you taking the Audio Recording Techniques in Pre-EMDC.
How to prepare and what to bring along: You will need to have your own computer and some kind of headphones.

Maximum number of participants: 20
Contact the track leader: Joost Bastiaans – joostbastiaans@twr.nl, Nathanael Gregoriev – nathanael_gregoriev@sil.org

Track 20
Creating Books with Bloom / Create Seeds

Category: Production, Orality

Course Description: You may know of Bloom as the open source international standard for local language literacy materials production, from SIL International. But Bloom is also great for producing Scripture engagement materials including Talking Book Scripture portions, Motion books with background music, and Comic Bible books. Using Bloom, you can draw on thousands of “shell books” or make your own from scratch, then quickly publish to the web, to Android, and to print. The course will include interactive lectures but most of the time participants will be working on small projects, alone or in small groups, with Bloom experts on hand to help.
The Gospel is more easily accepted when stories about God are familiar. When people hear in their own language and see Him in their own culture, they realize that He is not a foreigner but rather the loving God of their people. This is why contextualized Bible stories are so delightful to share with the unreached. In this hybrid workshop, participants will learn both software and authoring techniques. In the mornings, you will learn to use SIL’s award-winning Bloom software and how to train others. In the afternoons, Create Seeds will teach you how to create your own contextualized Children’s Bible stories. You will also learn how to tell stories visually through dynamic illustrations. Finally, you will publish your own books to your phone, BloomLibrary.org, and to videos that can be published on Facebook, YouTube, and “feature phones”.
Training method: Mostly practical / exercises.
Who will benefit from this training?: This training would benefit anyone interested in producing materials, but particularly those with a vision of empowering less-technologically sophisticated people to produce materials for their own language communities. We will adapt the course to help you at whatever level you are at.
What will you learn from this course?: You will learn how to use Bloom to make Scripture Engagement materials. You will learn to make a book once and then produce paper, web, and mobile versions of it. You’ll see many ideas for how to use Bloom to empower local people to reach their community, and have time to work on your own ideas or adapt something that already exists to your local context. If any participants are interested in making materials for the blind or the deaf, we can teach you how to do that too. Finally, you will learn proven techniques for training others to be productive in Bloom.
Special requirements: Basic use of mouse and keyboard.
How to prepare and what to bring along: Bring a laptop that can run Windows and already has any fonts and keyboarding software needed for the language you are working with. If you have them, bring an Android device and a headset for recording. If you have translations of Jonah or Ruth in your language of interest, bring those along. Please install the latest Bloom beta from https://bloomlibrary.org/installers.

Maximum number of participants: 20
Contact the track leader: John Hatton – john_hatton@sil.org, Rick Luth – rick@createseeds.org

Track 21
Scripture Engagement

Category: Communication, Distribution, Multilingualism, Missiology

Course Description: Scripture Engagement
Training method: Research, theory, and practical exercises.
Who will benefit from this training?: Those working with a people group as a Bible translator, SE specialist, mission worker, and/or administrator who wants to learn more about SE. It is not for those who want to engage with Scripture themselves i.e. learn more about devotional reading of Scripture.
What will you learn from this course?:You will learn to identify that encourage engagement and address issues that limit engagement with the Bible by individuals or a community. This workshop covers part of the content found in the MA level course Scripture Engagement Strategy and Methods offered at Dallas International University (DIU). Participants in this pre-EMDC training have the option of enrolling in the for-credit course at DIU (fees apply) and to count the content of this track as fulfilling part of the content of the DIU course.Special requirements: Soft hearts and eager minds.
How to prepare and what to bring along: Please read Wayne Dye’s ‘Eight Conditions of Scripture Engagement’ (https://www.ijfm.org/PDFs_IJFM/26_2_PDFs/89-98_Eight%20Conditions.pdf). Please bring either a laptop or a tablet, if you have one.

Maximum number of participants: 30
Contact the track leader: Tim Hatcher – tim_hatcher@sil.org

Track 22
Dictionary App Builder

Category: Production

Course Description: Guide users through setup Dictionary App Builder (DAB), importing LIFT and XHTML input. Configuring your app. Help on FLEx configuration for publishing.
Training method: Hands-on training. All users are expected to bring a computer capable of running Dictionary App Builder. Some informational lectures, some follow along sessions and working on your project with trainer assistance as needed.
Who will benefit from this training?: Anyone new to DAB, people having issues with DAB. People wanting to create a dictionary app.
You will NOT benefit if you have no dictionary data.
What will you learn from this course?: How to install the program on your computer. How to create a project from LIFT or XHTML file. Adding/editing interface languages. Adding images and audio. Con figuring and styling the data in the app. IOS app needs. Analytics and app sharing.
Special requirements: Bring along your laptop computer and your dictionary data in Fieldwork Language Explorer, or WeSay or Lexique Pro. Bring along an Android phone for app testing. Also bring along a USB cable to connect your phone to your laptop.
How to prepare and what to bring along: Read through the DAB documentation. Bring along your questions.

Maximum number of participants: 20
Contact the track leader: Ian McQuay – ian_mcquay@sil.org

Track 23
2D Digital Animation

Category: Production

Course Description: Want to learn to communicate the good news in a dynamic way? In this track, we will be covering the basics of 2D digital animation and emphasizing how this powerful medium can be used to cross cultural barriers with the gospel. Dave Hudson, director of Create AniMissions, will show examples, discuss the 2D animation pipeline, and demonstrate the process. Students will create their own short digitally animated pieces by the end of the training. Participants need to have their own laptop computers. A graphics tablet is also recommended.
Training method: Practical exercises.
Who will benefit from this training?: Media content producers, artists, story crafters, etc.
What will you learn from this course?: How to create simple 2D digitally animated short films using digital animation software.
Special requirements: A willingness to learn
How to prepare and what to bring along: A laptop computer (graphics tablet recommended).

Maximum number of participants: 20
Contact the track leader: Dave Hudson – dave@dwhudson.net

Track 24
Story Weavers – Good News Conversations

Category: Scripture Engagement, Orality

Course Description: This interactive learning experience in personal and Biblical story weaving enables the participants to build their vision and understanding for how to relevantly connect with non-Christians beginning from their felt needs, current events, or from discussions about movies. The Biblical story weaving approach helps non-believers to build deep understanding of the Good News, leading to well-considered commitments to Christ.
Training method: Participative; designed for oral learners. Includes role playing to try out what is being learned. The method is adaptable, practical, and locally sustainable for diverse cultural contexts.
Who will benefit from this training?: Anyone who desires to help their friends, family or coworkers connect with Christ, making well-considered commitments. And anyone who desires to help others learn how to share their faith, in a respectful, conversational way, putting Scripture at the center of the conversation.
What will you learn from this course?:Participants learn to help connect those they care about with Christ in a respectful, thoughtful, conversational way that aims to bring Scripture to the center of the conversation in a way that is timely and personally relevant to the unbeliever in the conversation.
Special requirements: None
How to prepare and what to bring along:A short introductory video will be sent to those who register for the training. Bring your Bible in the language in which you intend to share.

Maximum number of participants: 25
Contact the track leader: Ben Baral – etc20501@gmail.com Jessie Bruccoleri – jessiebruccoleri@storyweaversglobal.org

Track 25
Social Media

Category: Evangelism, Discipleship, Scripture Engagement, Media

Course Description: Participants will learn how to leverage a variety of social media platforms to identify and engage spiritually open people. We will explore how to implement marketing strategies, determine which social media platforms are appropriate for your audience, and optimize organic and paid content. Rooted in multiplying principles, the MTM Coalition facilitation team will help you take your next step towards a fruitful online to offline ministry. Participants will be encouraged as they hear case studies from global teams using social media as well best practices from a variety of experts.
Training method: Sessions will be interactive and include a mix of lectures, practical training and coaching
Who will benefit from this training?:
This workshop is primarily designed for two types of individuals and/or teams working among the unreached:

Disciple-makers seeking to integrate a contextualized digital strategy into their existing church planting strategy
Disciple-makers who are already using digital strategies and want to be upskilled in their marketing efforts

Organizational or ministry leaders who are seeking to learn more about the effectiveness of digital strategies may also benefit from this workshop as they seek to mobilize the next generation and equip their current constituents.
What will you learn from this course?: Participants will learn:

How to think about social marketing strategically
Ways to stay up to date in an ever-changing digital world
Best practices and challenges from practitioners
Current content and platform trends
How to create content with multiplication in mind
Which social media platform is right for your audience
A variety of marketing strategies

Special requirements: There are no special requirements necessary other than an open and willing heart and mind to be inspired to use social media in your ministry more effectively.
How to prepare and what to bring along:

Maximum number of participants: No Limit
Contact the track leader: Steven Earp – steven.earp@mediatomovements.org

Track 26
Trauma Healing – Initial

Category: Discipleship

Course Description:
This proven model of the Trauma Healing Institute uses applied Scripture and mental health principles to address spiritual and emotional wounds caused by trauma of war, violence, natural disasters, and abuse. The book “Healing the Wounds of Trauma: How the Church Can Help” has been translated and taught in 112 countries with more than 142 language groups in Africa, Asia, the Pacific and the Americas. Cost of book is $5 (for Initial Equipping) and $5-10 (for Advanced Equipping depending on if you need the new edition)
Training method: We will be using the Participatory Method for facilitating the equipping. This will involve small group discussions, art, drama, other activities, and practice facilitation
Who will benefit from this training?: This session is open to laypeople and clergy, mental health professionals, social justice advocates, NGO workers, and others who would like to explore becoming a trauma healing facilitator.
What will you learn from this course?: At this initial equipping session, participants learn basic biblical and mental health principles related to trauma care. They will explore if they themselves are carrying any wounds of trauma or loss and bring those to Christ for healing. They will learn how to lead small groups and develop plans for using what they have learned in their community.
Special requirements / Necessary Qualifications:

Able to communicate in English.
Be at least 18 years old.
Have sufficient status to teach others in a community.
Committed to help trauma survivors.
Able to dedicate time to lead trauma healing groups.
Able to attend the entire session.

How to prepare and what to bring along:

Attend all the sessions.
Come ready to participate, share your experiences, and open your heart to God’s Word and the mental health material.
You will have an opportunity to facilitate two short sessions near the end of the training. These practice facilitations will be evaluated.
There will be an off-hours open-book test over basic concepts in the materials
All supplies will be provided.

Maximum number of participants: 24
Contact the track leader: Ann Kapteyn – ann_kapteyn@sil.org

Track 27
Trauma Healing – Advanced

Category: Discipleship

Course Description: This Advanced Equipping session continues the equipping process for facilitators in Bible-based Trauma Healing using the book “Healing the Wounds of Trauma: How the Church Can Help” and its associated program model. Cost of book is $5 (for Initial Equipping) and $5-10 (for Advanced Equipping depending on if you need the new edition)
Training method: We will be using the Participatory Method for facilitating the equipping. This will involve small group discussions, art, drama, other activities, and practice facilitation.
Who will benefit from this training?:People who have successfully completed the Classic Initial Equipping and led or co-led at least two Classic Healing Groups are eligible for this training. The advanced session further develops the skills acquired at the initial session and during the practicum. Among topics included are:

Review the ‘core’ lessons
Practice facilitate to further grow as an effective facilitator
Cover some supplemental lessons
Further explore art and other exercises
Introduce contextualization of materials

What will you learn from this course?:The goal by the end of this session is to become a Healing Group Facilitator. Participants should be better able to solve issues arising in trauma healing groups as they carry out their ministries. They should understand the materials completely and clearly and be able to better lead groups in a participatory way. Like the Initial equipping, there is an evaluation during this Advanced Equipping.
Special requirements:

Certified as an Apprentice Facilitator in Classic Trauma Healing
Has led or co-led at least two Classic Healing Groups

How to prepare and what to bring along:

Attend all the sessions.
Come ready to participate, share your experiences, debrief your Healing Groups, open your heart to God’;s Word and the mental health material.
You will be evaluated during two practice facilitation opportunities.
There will be an off-hours open-book test over basic concepts in the materials
All supplies will be provided.

Maximum number of participants: 12
Contact the track leader: Amy Fields – amy_fields@sil.org

Track 28
Dubbing

Category: Production

Course Description: In this course we will learn how to:

Evaluate a film if it is culturally appropriate.
Translate a film to a new language.
Discover a variety of scripture films, creation to Christ, animations, teaching etc… that are available for EMDC participants to dub.
How to prepare a script so that it fits the film timing.
Coaching voice actors to give expression and life to the production.
We will use the following software:
Adobe Audition, Audacity / Reaper / Aegisubs and Davinci Resolve.

Training method: Technical knowledge, interactive sharing and hands-on practice
Who will benefit from this training?: Whoever doesn’t want to reinvent the wheel or create a whole new video production, or would like to multiply effectiveness through a new translation of a film that has already been produced.
What will you learn from this course?: Film evaluation (is it culturally appropriate?), script preparation, coaching and recording software skill.
Special requirements: Medium technical ability with computers. Don’t need to be super creative.
How to prepare and what to bring along: Bring a laptop and your recording microphone (if you don’t have one I can share one for the hands-on part). Please install Davinci Resolve software (free download).

Maximum number of participants: 15

Contact the track leader: Reece Terrell – rterrell@megavoice.com

Track 29
PTX Print

Category: Production, Scripture Engagement

Course Description: PTXPrint is a tool which enables Bible translators to rapidly create PDFs of scripture from their Paratext (USFM) data. This training track will build familiarity with the tool, demonstrate the kinds of output that are possible, and enable translators to handle their day-to-day typesetting needs independently (without having to rely on any other proprietary software).
Training method: The training will be hands-on and very practical. Participants will be guided to create various views of their scripture as PDFs.
Who will benefit from this training?: This training is targeted to Paratext users who are looking for easier ways to use printed scripture to engage with their community.
What will you learn from this course?: Students will be given the confidence to use the tool to create well-formatted scripture text in PDF format.
Special requirements: It is expected that you have access to one or more Paratext projects that have one or more scripture books which are ready for laying out as a trial publication (i.e. the text must at least pass all the Basic Checks in Paratext). Only Windows and Linux systems are supported (or a Mac with a Win/Lin emulator).
How to prepare and what to bring along: It is recommended that you download, install and try out PTXPrint prior to this training. If time permits, watch one or more of the training videos, in particular watch the Getting Started video.

Maximum number of participants: 25 participants
Contact the track leader: Mark Penny – ptxprint_support@sil.org

Track 30
Community Health Evangelism

Category: Communication, Discipleship

Course Description: CHE believes people must be active participants in their own development. Therefore, we use methods for adult learning that engage participants in a process of learning and action. We recognize an integral relationship between the physical, mental, social, and spiritual. Compassion for the physical needs of people is equally important as evangelism and discipleship. Our programs seek the total development of the whole person and community.
CHE concentrates its efforts on long-term solutions that break the cycle of poverty and disease. We train, equip, and empower people to do for themselves. We focus on development rather than relief, and disease prevention rather than cure.
Sustainable, reproducible programs are owned by the people and built on local initiative. Our aim is not merely projects, but movements. This is facilitated by training people to train others using concepts that are transferable. We emphasize the use of local resources and appropriate technologies so that solutions (for both physical and spiritual problems) can be passed along neighbor to neighbor, community to community. We build cooperation and vision at a local level.
Training method: Mostly practical exercises
Who will benefit from this training?: Anyone interested in a holistic approach (ministering to both the spiritual and physical needs) for ministry. If you want sustainable, reproducible growth in the lives of those you serve, this is the class for you.
What will you learn from this course?:CHE Training of Trainers (TOT1) is designed to equip you to implement a sustainable, integrated ministry upon completion. TOT1 will explore the Biblical foundation upon which CHE is built AND define basic principles of holistic community development. This training is highly participatory, engaging those attending in the actual process of holistic transformational development.
Upon completion of this training, you will have access to the complete CHE curriculum (over 12,000 lessons) through the CHE website. The entire curriculum is also available on a USB stick for an additional charge.
Special requirements: An attitude to learn; Be prepared to actively participate & have fun.
How to prepare and what to bring along: No preparation needed, however signing up for a pre-training orientation email series will enhance your learning experience. Bring a Bible.

Maximum number of participants: 25
Contact the track leader: David Crist – cdedavidcrist@gmail.com richard.holt197@gmail.com

Track 31
Strengthening Christian Families

Category: Discipleship

Course Description: The Strengthening Christian Families Program (SCFP)

There are both risk factors and protective factors that influence a child’s life which make it more or less likely that a child will choose to use alcohol, other drugs, or engage in delinquent behaviors. Research shows that the strongest protective factor in a child’s life is the family, which includes a close relationship with a caring, responsive adult. Parents trained in bonding, setting boundaries, and monitoring their child’s activities can prevent most teen alcohol and other drug abuse, allowing them to grow up with happier family relationships and brighter futures. The SCFP International is a research and Scripture-based parenting and drug prevention program that is about strengthening families and building resilience in children.
Training method: The lessons in this training will be content-focused and interactive/participative through exercises, role-play, small group discussion, and practice facilitation.
Who will benefit from this training?: Anyone interested in family issues, drug prevention or building resilience in children and teens.
What will you learn from this course?:This workshop will familiarize you with the concepts and activities presented in the SCFP. Topics include: Keeping your brain healthy, bonding and expressing love to your family, communication skills, stress and anger management, apologies and forgiveness, family management and healthy boundaries, positive discipline, problem-solving, protecting your children (yourself) from drugs, the effects of alcohol and other drugs on the brain and body, monitoring your child (yourself) from drug use and addiction, emotional well-being, screen time (includes healthy screen use, video game addiction, online predators, sexting, and pornography), friendship and dating (includes friendship skills, refusal skills, bullying, and Biblical sexuality), purpose in life, values, traditions, service to others and how to give-back to your community.
Special requirements: The desire to learn about strengthening families and communities!
How to prepare and what to bring along: There are 10 books included in the curriculum (three sets of teaching manuals, teaching aid pages, and handouts for parents/teens/children, plus a family manual that includes activities for families to do together). A link to the curriculum will be provided closer to the training time. Either print out the curriculum or download it onto your computer ahead of time so that you are able to refer to it as we talk about the lessons.

Maximum number of participants: 20
Contact the track leader: Leslie Wannemacher – Leslie_wannemacher@sil.org

Track 32
Scriptwriting Using Visual Storytelling Methods

Category: Production, Orality

Course Description: If you have a short story you are passionate about, we will help you develop it, so the story will communicate well using both audio and visual elements. This four-day workshop will aid you in sharing Good News with unreached people. Teachers and peers will provide feedback, and you will leave the class with a better script and a plan for moving it into production. You may also get to watch classmates acting out some scenes you write! Some funding may also be provided to students whose scripts show promise.
Training method: Discussion, hands-on, peer interaction, and scene acting.
Who will benefit from this training?: Writers who want to transform short stories (including Jesus’ parables) into short scripts that will be filmed to share the Good News.
What will you learn from this course?: You will learn to produce good scripts through editing one of your own and how to develop a plan for moving it into production.
Special requirements: (see “How to Prepare” section below.) .
How to prepare and what to bring along: Please bring a one-page summary of a short story you would like to see produced as a video.

Maximum number of participants: 15

Contact the track leader: Stephen Coats – Stephen_Coats@sil.org, Jeremy Landes – ryunmalick@gmail.com

Track 33
FLEXTrans

Category: Translation

Course Description: FLEXTrans is a new rule-based machine translation system. It allows you to use linguistic rules to adapt one language into a related language. It uses Fieldworks Language Explorer (FLEx) as the database for source and target language dictionaries and grammar settings. Note: this is not an AI/machine learning system.
Besides working on dictionaries, we will start with a few short sentences in the reference FLEx project, link the reference words to target dictionary entries, and write FLExTrans transfer rules that will transform the reference sentences into target sentences. Time-permitting, we will start developing parsing settings to automatically ‘analyze’ i.e. break-down source words into their constituent morphemes.
Training method: Both theoretical and practical training.
Who will benefit from this training?:This workshop will be great fun for people who love working with languages and want to see the power of linguistically-based machine translation.
What will you learn from this course?: In this track you will have the opportunity to experiment with FLExTrans to see if it would be a good fit for your Bible translation project. You will have a head start if you have either the source or the target language, or both already in FLEx projects. If not, we will help you build a small dictionaries. We will initially practice with small test projects.
Special requirements: Familiar with FLEx and knowledgeable about the reference and target languages. You must also have a good knowledge of linguistics.
How to prepare and what to bring along: You will need to bring at least two FLEx projects with lexicon data. Ron will give you more details later.

Maximum number of participants: 3
Contact the track leader: ron_lockwood@sil.org

You can attend both pre-EMDC and post-EMDC.