Being a Voice

It’s a fine line we walk as we attempt to be the “voice” of the martyrs. VOM’s ministry is unique in that we don’t just try to be a news provider, nor are we exclusively an aid provider. VOM does both, as I’m sure you know, with the purpose of joining the American church together with the persecuted church through prayer, awareness and involvement.

As part of the news staff, sometimes we struggle to hit our target. We want to get our message out, to convey the urgency of the need, yet we don’t want to be sensationalist. We want to be accurate in what we tell readers, but we are often bridging cultural differences as well as language/translation difficulties.

What we aim for, as one colleague said, is to “let the story tell itself.” How do you think The Voice of the Martyrs is doing?

Comments

[Ryan]

Oh thanks! I didn't find anything on the website saying it was for USA so I assumed there was only one international one. Unfortunately the New Zealand blog hasn't been updated since May 2006, so I will continue to read this one :) Keep it up! God bless.

[Dory]

Hi Ryan,

Thanks for the encouragement! I appreciate it. I just wanted to let you know that we are American-focused because that's who we focus on, as VOM USA.

One of the special things about VOM is that Pastor Wurmbrand set up a network of offices in each country who could be the "voice" to their own countries. There is also a VOM office for New Zealand: www.persecution.co.nz. As part of the VOM network of offices, we often coorperate on projects and share news.

I hope this will help you feel that New Zealanders can equally be a part of that Voice!

[Ryan]

I think you do very well. But why are you so American focused? This is an international website - why do you talk about the "American Church" - I'm in New Zealand reading this, and it feels awkward and I know the voice of the martyrs doesn't reach me properly because I have to pretend I'm an American to be spoken to sometimes. Thanks for getting the news out though!