I missed a phone call yesterday morning, and spent the day playing phone tag with the caller, Dr. David Wood. As we talked, I recalled how my phone number got into the phonebook of a world-renowned evangelist. Dr. Wood is the founder of several ministries - Operation Go, The Witness Project, and Faith in Action. After I was recruited to take a PowerPoint presentation and develop it into a video for Faith in Action, Dr. Wood has been steadily providing me with additional projects - some small, some big. I recently finished a 15-minute video on his 6-year strategy for reaching India with the gospel.
When the phone rang, I thought he was calling to discuss the latest project he had for me - a previously-discussed plan to update some of their older videos with newer information. "Bro. Ed, I love the India video, but I need to know if you can edit it down from 15 minutes to about 9 minutes. I need to show it at a church next weekend, but I need it to be shorter. Can you produce a shorter version of it and have it in my office by Wednesday?" "Sure", I said, and began working immediately after supper. At midnight, I was finished, and quite proud of my efforts.
He called me back today during lunch. "Bro. Ed, I really appreciate your work on cutting that video down to 9 minutes. I'm going to be presenting the India ministry during Sunday School next Sunday morning, and they suggested that we bring a 2-3 minute video segment to show during Sunday School, to whet the people's appetite for the entire presentation Sunday night. Can you cut it down to 3 minutes? This is for the largest church in Alaska (Anchorage Baptist Temple), and this will be shown during a live television broadcast. There is a lot of money for the India project riding on this... and I need it by Wednesday, too."
No pressure.......
"Sure", I said. I finished my lunch and began working. The fastest way to get this done was to start completely over from scratch, instead of trying to cut and paste a preview video together from the footage I already had developed. Trying to decide which 3 minutes of narration to keep out of a 15-minute presentation was no small feat. Dr. Wood had written the script for the original video, and here I was, leaving 80% of his message on the cutting room floor. I could only hope that the 20% I chose is the right part. I suppose I will find out when he gets the DVDs on Tuesday.
It is very humbling to realize that the videos I create will be used to help Dr. Wood share his vision with churches all over the United States. I'm grateful for the opportunity to help their ministry in this small way.
2 comments:
You said once in Sunday School that you had never inherited anything. It appears to me that you have inherited your dad's humility. Along with your talents that makes you a precious commodity for the church.
Bless you Pastor Ed!
Pastor Ed,
I am very proud of your works. You truely are an amazing person both in and out of church. Our family would like to let you know how much you and your family mean to us and we're honored to call you part of our family. Thank you for all the things you and Brenda do!!
God Bless You
The Smith Clan
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