{"id":10841,"date":"2026-06-11T05:15:17","date_gmt":"2026-06-11T05:15:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/emdcon.org\/?page_id=10841"},"modified":"2026-06-25T19:02:46","modified_gmt":"2026-06-25T19:02:46","slug":"emdc-2026-executive-summary","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/emdcon.org\/archive\/emdc-2026-executive-summary\/","title":{"rendered":"EMDC 2026 Executive Summary"},"content":{"rendered":"

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The EMDC (Eurasia Media & Distribution Consultation) conference<\/a> took place from 13 to 26 May 2026 in Chiang Mai, Thailand, bringing together 770 people from 60 countries and 260 organisations.The main conference was preceded by four days of training (pre-EMDC) with a choice of 17 training tracks:<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Audio\/Radio Training<\/div><\/td>\n
Making Meaningful Media<\/div><\/td>\n
Building Apps with Scripture App Builder<\/div><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Simply The Story<\/div><\/td>\n
FLExTrans<\/div><\/td>\n
Digital 2D Animation<\/div><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Intro to Video Production<\/div><\/td>\n
Introduction to Scripture Engagement<\/div><\/td>\n
Cross Cultural Mentoring<\/div><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
AI Track (Foundation)<\/div><\/td>\n
Foundations for Refugee Ministry<\/div><\/td>\n
Music Video Production<\/div><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Foundations of Digital Engagement Strategies<\/div><\/td>\n
Scriptwriting<\/div><\/td>\n
PTXprint<\/div><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Scripture Forge Draft Generation (AI Drafting)<\/div><\/td>\n
Create Engaging Digital Learning Materials<\/div><\/td>\n
<\/div><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

Another 13 tracks were available after the conference (post-EMDC):<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Advanced Audio\/Radio Recording<\/div><\/td>\n
Culture Meets Scripture<\/div><\/td>\n
Directing Dramatic Video<\/div><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Acting for Beginners<\/div><\/td>\n
Website Building<\/div><\/td>\n
One Story<\/div><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
AI Track (Advanced)<\/div><\/td>\n
Improving Ethical Photographic Storytelling<\/div><\/td>\n
Storyweavers for Evangelism<\/div><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Advanced Visual Storytelling Techniques<\/div><\/td>\n
Psalms Alive!: Bringing the Psalms to Life as you Translate Them Into Song<\/div><\/td>\n
PTXprint Consultation<\/div><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Modern Publishing with Bloom<\/div><\/td>\n
<\/div><\/td>\n
<\/div><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

As always, EMDC was an excellent opportunity to encourage collaboration and partnerships between organisations and to share ideas and resources that we can use in our different contexts. The networking opportunities and meetings during meals and breaks are among the highlights and most fruitful aspects of being together.<\/p>\n

1. Plenary Sessions<\/h2>\n

Plenary 1 – Engaging people in the Story<\/h3>\n

The first plenary session was by Stan Jantz and Ashish Nag on The Chosen<\/a>, a series based on the life of Jesus and his disciples. Using the power of storytelling, it seeks to be relatable, immersive, memorable and emotionally engaging. The Chosen is stimulating interest in Scripture around the world, especially among younger generations. The Come & See Foundation<\/a> is on a mission to ensure that all 7 seasons of The Chosen are produced, translated into 600 languages, globally distributed, and free for all.<\/p>\n

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Plenary 2 – Using what God has given us to tell the Story<\/h3>\n

The second plenary session was led by Marco Arjona from BibleProject<\/a>. Many will be familiar with their animated explainer videos on books and themes from the Bible. Their mission is “to help people experience the Bible as a unified story that leads to Jesus.”<\/p>\n

Marco took us to Exodus 17:14, where God tells Moses, “Write this on a scroll as something to be remembered …” God places his story in human hands, and so we need to ask what God is asking us to use and how we can use it faithfully so others can encounter the story that leads to Jesus.<\/p>\n

BibleProject is making their resources available in multiple languages, with 55 languages available so far: https:\/\/bibleproject.com\/languages\/<\/a><\/p>\n

Plenary 3 – God calls us in the Story<\/h3>\n

The third plenary session was led by Aldrin Bogi of Biblica<\/a>. The session was personal, emphasising how we are part of God’s story:<\/p>\n