2026 Media Communicators Network
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In today's world, journalism, movies, television, and social media dominate the way we, as an increasingly global community, understand and relate to the world and each other. If Christians wish to continue making a meaningful impact upon the world, gifted communicators who want to relate biblical Christian faith to contemporary culture through these media platforms will be greatly needed.
This Network seeks to encourage and equip such existing or emerging leaders who can speak with authenticity, relevance, and integrity from within these influential cultural arenas. It will also focus on biblical foundations and models, worldview analysis of media and popular culture, and critical reflections on creative communication in contemporary media contexts.
The ELF Media Communicators Network draws upon the strategies and the resources developed within the global Lausanne Media Engagement Network, and will seek to build friendships and facilitate networking and partnership among evangelical media communicators in Europe and beyond.
Prior preparation will be set for all applicants.
What Network Participants Are Saying
- "I joined the Media Network to find practical ways to improve and communicate with people more efficiently. This is my second time at ELF and this is also why I so much appreciate the opportunity---the view on things here is global. You get to connect with people whom you would otherwise never meet, and you get to share experiences and learn together."
- Robert Dados, Startup Owner of Miastro Church, Poland - "I have been attending ELF for over a decade and it has been one of the greatest resources in my ministry. ELF’s impact is irreplaceable. Thanks to ELF I have met people who have helped me shape my understanding of cultural impact and taught me how to engage with secular post-Christian culture."
- Jan Mahrik, Pastor and Church Planter, Slovakia - "I lead a news and opinion website for Europe called 'Evangelical Focus,' through which we report the news from a Christian perspective. Being at the Forum has been key for this work. It has led to many connections with leaders from across Europe, including good thinkers and fellow media communicators. All the media and communication training and gospel encouragement I have received has made a big difference."
- Joel Forster, Journalist, Spain
Applicants should be current or potential leaders who are gifted communicators in the media (in such creative fields as journalism, movies, television, or social media), media commentators, media critics, media teachers, or media scholars. Whatever the role, the common missional vision should be the wish to relate biblical Christian faith to contemporary media in a way that is authentic, appropriate, and relevant.
Network Leadership
Network Speakers
Efrem Buckle, as Deputy CEO and Director of Training and Mentoring at London City Mission, draws on thirty years' experience in urban ministry including twenty years as church-planting pastor of ecclēsia (South London). In the early-90s he formed part of a missional music duo, Ministry of… Read more
Lars Dahle is a theologian, educator, preacher, and apologist. Having a long previous experience in various academic leadership roles, he now works as Professor in Systematic Theology (with a speciality in Christian Apologetics) at NLA University… Read more
Margunn Serigstad Dahle, the co-leader of the European Media Communicators Network, is Professor at NLA University College, Kristiansand, Norway, where she has taught in the fields of communication, media, and worldviews since 1991. She was for many years Programme Director for the Communication… Read more
John Dickson’s story is eclectic. Starting out as a professional singer-songwriter, he now works as an author, speaker, historian, and media presenter. He was the Founding Director of the Centre for Public Christianity (2007-17). He has published over 20 books, two of which became television… Read more
Simon Diercks is both a pastor and a nerd and is passionate about empowering digital missionaries worldwide and developing digital ways of mission. He has worked for 20 years in IT and was a pastor of a local church for eight years. For eight years now, he has been working with the German… Read more
Joel Forster has a degree in journalism (Autonomous University of Barcelona, 2008) and did an internship with the Catalan Public Television (TV3). He worked with university students through the UCCF 'Relay' programme in the UK. He later was a staff worker for GBU España (IFES in Spain), serving… Read more
Bjørn Hinderaker is an Assistant Professor at the accredited NLA University College, Kristiansand, Norway (https://www.nla.no/en/), where he teaches Christian Apologetics, Worldviews, and Ethical Theory. He has previously served as missionary to Kenya and as… Read more
Evert van Vlastuin seems to be without much fantasy, since he has only been active as a journalist during his professional life. He started as a freelancer as a student in 1990. One of his passions is developing ways and ideas around the topic of “Christian journalism”, which resulted in the… Read more
Ahrum Yoo was born and raised in South Korea, lived in Indonesia, and later moved to the United States for college. She studied Economics and East Asian Studies at Smith College and earned a Master's in Public Policy from the Harvard Kennedy School. After completing her studies, she returned to… Read more
Network Programme
Sunday, 17 May
The news cycle moves quickly, often marked by troubling events and shaped by bias intended to influence readers and viewers. This session explores how Christians can respond with wisdom and faithfulness. Drawing on the experience of two Christian journalists, it introduces biblical principles for discerning the news, engaging in thoughtful conversation, and living faithfully in response.
This learning community session builds on the principles from the previous discussion by focusing on practical application. Through two case studies presented by the speakers, participants will practice processing current events from a Christian perspective. They will also have the opportunity to share insights from their own experience and apply the lessons to their specific contexts.
Monday, 18 May
How can documentaries edify the church and influence culture for the sake of the Gospel? Historian and media presenter John Dickson explores this question through The First Hymn Project—an effort to revive the earliest known Christian hymn with surviving musical notation, preserved on Papyrus Oxyrhynchus 1786. This session follows the hymn’s discovery in Egypt and highlights the creative process of retelling its story, bringing together historians and musicians in a unique collaboration to give voice once again to this ancient song.
From the printing press to TikTok, how has technology continually expanded the reach of the Gospel? This session explains why social media, gaming platforms, and digital communities are not just entertainment, but real mission fields. It gives insight into how Jesus is already using digital missionaries to develop and connect digital evangelism, digital discipleship, and digital church across Europe.
Tuesday, 19 May
We live in media-saturated cultures. This means that we have to relate to a wide spectrum of media messages and media technologies every day. How do we live as disciples of Christ in today's media world? How can we develop a pattern of double listening, cultural discernment, and holistic witness in our personal lives, in our families, and in our churches?
Since its inception, hip-hop has evolved into a multi-trillion-dollar industry, shaping music, fashion, and social movements across the globe. More than just a genre, it is a cultural powerhouse that has influenced politics, identity, and storytelling on an unprecedented scale. National Geographic hails hip-hop as "the world's favourite youth culture," noting that "just about every country on the planet seems to have developed its own local rap scene." Hip-hop isn’t just a global phenomenon—it’s a mission field. Like any other cross-cultural movement, it demands respect, understanding, and intentional engagement. This is where the mission starts. Now how do we begin?
Wednesday, 20 May
The global hype surrounding top-selling Korean productions is both intriguing and puzzling. Why does Korean content resonate so strongly with audiences worldwide, including in Europe? Are they a better, more wholesome alternative to Hollywood? Some Korean works do portray compelling redemption stories–often in ways that appear less harmful–but these narratives are frequently grounded in the country’s animistic traditions and a postmodern, humanistic belief in human agency. Understanding these influences, both their opportunities and dangers, is key to discerning how Christians might engage with, or respond to, this cultural wave.
In the final session of the Network, participants will reflect on the insights and outcomes of the week, identify takeaways, and spend time together in prayer.