EMDC 2024 took place in Chiang Mai, Thailand (22 May- 04 June, 2024). Here are some “Quick stats” followed by remarks from the chairman.  

EMDC History

● 1st —Sept 2010, Germany, 130 people (32 organizations)
No pre-EMDC training (just 3.5 days of EMDC)
● 2nd—April 2012, Germany, 200 people (70 organizations)
3 Tracks of pre-EMDC training (video/audio/web, 75 participants)

EMDC grew annually until 2020 when the pandemic shut it down. Consequently, EMDC.online was born in May 2020 (followed by emdc.blog, emdc.guide, emdc.live, and emdc.tools). EMDC came back in-person in 2022 in NL, 2023 in Thailand, and 2024 in Thailand (685 people from 187 organizations).

General Information

● The Steering Committee comes from: LBT, SIL, IMB, OMF, FCBH, Galcom Int’l, M2M Indonesia, SABDA, Cru, StoryWeavers, and Wycliffe Australia.
● EMDC is self-funded, depending on volunteer helpers and a small registration fee. This fee is waived for many nationals, and only $80 for early registrants. This year nearly 400 people did not need to pay a registration fee.
● Visas: Several registrants were refused visas this year. With help from SIL-MSEAG, EMDC was able to provide paperwork for hundreds of visas.
● Around half of the participants are on-the-ground language workers, church planters, etc, and the other half are service providers & media experts/providers.  The “media providers” may include distribution that is technical (audio-visual, apps, social media, or devices) or human/ cultural (orality, local arts, trauma healing, Scripture engagement, etc).
● Two typical EMDC scenarios: Four persons involved in translation of the NT in a very limited access country came to learn how best to audio record the NT in their language, and how best to develop radio programs.  Several local, national workers came with an idea for a local video/film and met the specialist organization that will help them realize it.
●EMDC Español met for a second time in November, 2023.
●EMDC.info explains all the other platforms of EMDC.

Pre-EMDC and Post-EMDC Training Information

● The Trainers and assistant trainers for pre-EMDC training came from over 25 different organizations.
● The  27 Training Tracks were: Digital 2D Animation, Audio/RadioTechnology, Making Meaningful Media, Culture Meets Scripture, Scripture App Builder, Scripture Engagement, Foundation of DDMS, Kalaam Media Websites, Alpha Tiles, Simply The Story, FLExTrans, Ministering to Refugee, AI Tools in Kingdom Minisitry, Mobile Production, Video Production Level 1, Artist Training, Ethical Storytelling  & Photography, Cross Cultural Mentoring, Max7 Animated Dubbing, AI-4-All, Trauma Healing – Initial, Story-Based Trauma Healing, Storyweaving for Discipleship, Innovation, Advanced Visual Techniques (Gear & Tech), Scripture Engagement Guide & MAT, Social Media.

● A Training Closure Ceremony allowed the various Tracks to display the projects in audio, video, digital, web, animation, apps, (and more) that the students developed in just four days.
● Many connections were made in the Training Tracks what will lead in the months ahead to smaller, in-country training and production events.
● For a better understanding of the difference between pre-EMDC training and EMDC here is a brief explanation.
● Around 420 of the nearly 700 total EMDC participants came for the pre- or post-EMDC training (or both!); once again the final survey showed that the training was highly valued. Training is the key!

EMDC 2024 Information

● The nearly 700 attendees came from 61 countries and 187 organizations.
● Approved photos can be found here and on the site of the photo service provider Ablaze Media Productions here.
● Each day started with worship and a devotional brought by four participants from Asia or Africa. The worship included songs and Scripture in several languages.
● The five morning plenary sessions were: Aldrin Bogi (India, Biblica), PS (Pkstn, IS), David Garrison (US), Prince Rana (India, Cru), and Doug Higby (US, SIL). 
● The 23 Affinity Groups (based on geography, technical, and social themes) allowed the EMDC registrants to find each other (on Day 1) and organize into smaller groups.
● Seventy workshops/seminars were facilitated by specialists in five main domains: Technical, Media, Social (Orality, Ethnoarts, cultural insights), Engagement (Scripture Engagement, research, marketing, trauma healing), and Translation (linguistics, exegesis, literacy, multilingualism)
● Seventy organizations had tables/booths, displaying their written, media, software, and hardware products that service many minority languages.
● Around twenty persons each day gave their interesting Mini-Minute-at-the-Mic describing (with slides or videos) their products, services, booth, organization, and willingness to partner!  Always fast-moving and fun!
● Several organizations gave free or reduced-price material: listening devices, DVDs, books, etc.
● MegaVoice, Beyond Translation, and SIL-IMS gave away prizes. Hannah with JFP won the “Mini” (best Mini-Minute).
● Several experts in the field of AI held a well-attended AI Open Forum Evening.
● Monday night was the Coming Attractions (Mini-Film, Mini-Preview Party), led by Steve Baldwin of Create Mobile, including over a dozen new film products. Tuesday and Wednesday evening included the showing of new, longer films.
● The EMDC (optional) survey revealed that:

• Many persons acquired key ministry contacts
• Many new partnerships were explored or established
• Many persons conceived or developed a new ministry product
• 91% were satisfied or very satisfied with the overall experience at EMDC
• 90% will likely or enthusiastically recommend EMDC to colleagues
• 90% would likely or enthusiastically attend EMDC again

● Informal, free, networking time and affinity groups scored highest on the survey and proved, once again, to be a mainstay of the gathering.
● Several organizations had regional leaders’ meetings before or after EMDC.  EMDC assisted in logistics, housing, and equipment.
● For EMDC 2024, a prayer chart was organized and 24-hour prayer was lifted up by dozens of people in various parts of the world.
● The EMDC data base has 1510 organizations and 7,600 names and continues to grow. We appreciate the 187 organizations that attended EMDC 2024. The Steering Committee agrees to continue this training / gathering as long as we feel that the Lord is blessing it and using it for Christ’s glory.

Special Thanks:

The on-the-ground admin team did a fantastic job and a big thank-you is due to Cambell, Marcus, the MSEAG team, Melinda, Philipp & Christine, Scott, Liz, Ryan, Hank, Josh, Kate, and others!

Many thanks to David and the worship band.

For any questions about EMDC, or any desire to assist with training, personnel, or finance, please contact info@emdcon.org.

Steve B. (for the Steering Committee), June 2024