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By David Way
Media Chaplain

I've just returned from the annual Screen Producer's Association of Australia Conference (SPAA), and the Australian International Movie Convention (AIMC).

SPAA gathers about 6-700 of the top Australian Film and TV personnel. Like last year, I was shown amazing favour and had many opportunities to share the Gospel. This year I was also able to go deeper in counseling and presented a few media bibles. I trust the following stories will inspire and encourage you.

SPAA Fringe

SPAA Fringe is a smaller scale conference for young, up and coming producers, held this year at Brisbane's Powerhouse Museum in the three days before SPAA.

When I approached the fringe director, the person said they knew who I was, immediately took me to the registration desk and supplied free entry with name tag etc. It was very encouraging. I had a number of really good conversations and people were fascinated by the concept of having a media chaplain around. Most wanted to know how I got into such a role and what I actually did. Basically I just told stories of my walk with Jesus and how he has led me over the years. 

SPAA 2004

This year's SPAA conference was held at the Sheraton Mirage on Queensland's Gold Coast and I stayed with a Film Producer friend who has a unit in the heart of Surfers Paradise. On the first day I was able to re-connect very quickly with the half dozen friends that I have built relationship with. It was great to see them again. 

We all commented on the lack of a central meeting area. Usually we sit in the coffee shop making that a bit of a home base but this year there was no coffee shop and everything was quite spread out. I went to the admin desk to ask if I could have a table in the central area, where the lunches and teas were served. Their first response was, "Not possible." I asked them who I would need to speak to and they said the conference director. The director is the one that offered me the discount and has shown me great favour over the last two conferences. So, I went to see her but she was very busy, being the first day. I happened to find the director's assistant, who I had not met, and introduced myself. She said, "Oh yes, I know who you are," and just smiled. I asked her how she knew of me but she wouldn't say. I didn't know if that was a good thing or not .... what had she heard? ... and who from? Yikes!

Well, I asked if it were possible to have a table in the central area so I could sit and talk to people ... if not, no worries. She said to leave it with her, and so I went out and did some work by the pool. I came back 15 mins later and there, in the perfect spot, was a large table with a velvet cloth over it and chairs. For the whole three days there was only one table in that area and it was for me. This was unbelievable favour.

I was able to connect deeper with those I knew and was able to establish even more friendships. This year my friend George introduced me as the 'Priest of the Film Industry'. I asked him to say Chaplain but he seems to like Priest.

At the Annual Dinner, I was introduced to a journalist who works for one of Australia's most prestigious national newspapers.  I bumped into the journalist the next day sitting at 'my' table. We started some small talk and I asked her some questions about where she was from etc. She then went on to ask, "So what do you do?" I said that it had been mentioned the night before, that I was a media chaplain, but she thought it was a joke. It was quite amusing to see her face as she was coming to the realisation that I really was a chaplain. She was fascinated and wanted to know how I got into it. I was able to show her a Masterplan Bible and share my story. She couldn't get over it.

A few that I met said that they had heard about me. I met the head of the BBC comedy department and he said had heard about me... probably through the conference director. I spoke with Bronwyn Bishop, Member of Parliament, who I met at last year's National Prayer Breakfast. She was impressed with the Masterplan Bible. I hope to meet with her again in November and share more of the vision.

I spent a fair bit of time counseling someone that I met two years ago. During the past year they had attended a Christian seminar and said that they had almost rung me on two occasions. (The year before, they wouldn't have even thought of it.) I was able to explain more of the Gospel message and I gave them a daily devotional to read.  They have asked me to stay in touch. Next year I believe this person could be ready to join a fellowship group.

Australian International Movie Convention

AIMC was held at the Royal Pines Resort also on the Gold Coast in the four days immediately after SPAA. I arrived not really knowing anyone except my producer friend who I was staying with. I had not registered but my friend was going to introduce me to the AIMC Director. My friend was busy in a seminar so I decided to go and meet her myself. I explained that I was a media chaplain and without hesitation she gave me full complimentary entry with meal tickets etc ... amazing.  Entry fees were well over $700 and I had just been given free entry to all sessions, screenings and social functions.

I met so many people ... all were interested in what I was doing. I was able to share the Gospel clearly with quite a few. Just being there was a witness to some. I could see in their faces that they realised that God really does exist and they are answerable to him.

I was having breakfast with my friend and, a very well known Film Director sat down and joined us. My friend introduced me saying, " I'd like you to meet David, he's our Chaplain." His immediate reply was, "Well finally someone's bringing some tone into this industry."

I met the head of a Post Production company and noticed his accent. I asked if he was a member of a certain church denomination and he fellowships at a church near my home town.

Thanks so much for praying and supporting this work.

David Way
Media Chaplain
Revnet

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