2011: The Year in Reviewby Mark Gustafson |
The new year always presents new goals and challenges—it’s a time to reflect, pray, and dream. But most importantly, it is a time to get our “marching orders” from the one whom we serve.
Each year we try to assess how well we are fulfilling the call of God. We look at all the possibilities and technologies that are at our disposal and then try to do our best to utilize them for the Kingdom. To bring you up to date, here is a summary of our most recent update to our Board of Directors.
The year 2011 was the first year that Chuck and Nan spent the majority of their time in New Zealand, with several products being recorded there instead of the U.S. We used the opportunity in Idaho to record briefings from other authors: Rescuing a Broken America, by Michael Coffman; Islamic Uprising, by Avi Lipkin; More Than Human, by Martin Erdman; and Revealing Jesus, by Dan Stolebarger. Chuck returned in the fall to record Storm Warning with Gordon McDonald, and he also updated his classic briefing, Strategic Trends 2011. Chuck also reorganized and updated his study of the Minor Prophets—Prophets to the Southern Kingdom, Prophets to the Northern Kingdom, Prophets to the Gentiles, and Prophets of the Post-Exile.
He also recorded Luke, Song of Songs, and Acts in New Zealand.
M4A Files: We made the decision to move away from Real Audio as a file format for our automated slideshows. Real Audio has served us well for over 15 years, but has failed to support mobile devices. Transitioning to M4A will give us the same quality product and support mobile devices, such as smart phones, tablets (iPads), etc. which comprise the fastest growing segment of the computer industry. We hope you take advantage and enjoy our materials in this new format.
MP4 Video Files: Many of our briefing packs are now available in the MP4 video format, as downloads from our online store. More briefing packs and commentaries will follow soon. MP3 has so far been the most popular and universally used audio format, but since capacities and bandwidth have dramatically increased in the past few years, people now want videos as well. MP4 is the most popular video format, and despite containing both audio and video, it has a very small file size which allows it to be sent over the Internet at great speed. MP4 video files can be watched on your desktop computer with a number of compatible applications—and can also be played on many mobile devices, such as iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad, Android phones and tablets, Windows Phone 7, and more. Being able to download videos saves people time and shipping costs—especially for those located outside the U.S.
Personal Update News Journal: In May we revamped the printed version of Personal Update and in June added an electronic version with clickable links and embedded information. Because it can now be downloaded, worldwide distribution of the news journal is now possible. Previously it was published and distributed only in the U.S., Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and Europe. We are providing a subscription to the electronic version of Personal Update for FREE—worldwide!
New Online Store: Our online store has a completely different look this year. We now sell products by title, not by media type, which has streamlined and simplified the look and usability. If you haven’t tried it yet, please do at http://resources.khouse.org. The new store is PCI compliant (better security) and customers can comment on our products by leaving a review.
Recording Studio: We will be retooling our recording studio in Post Falls, creating some different “sets” for varied recording capabilities with a variety of guest speakers.
Social Media: We are also planning on using social media (Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, etc.) to better communicate with people—many of whom would never find our website or materials otherwise. We will be creating product clips, member presentations, ad-hoc briefings and more to put on our YouTube channel.
Conferences: We are also planning some changes to our conferences to include workshops. These workshops will be developed to cover topics in a personal application way—“where the rubber meets the road” if you will. We hope to promote active learning, instead of the “receive and leave” conference concept.
While this past year has seen a bit of a slowdown in the number of Bronze Medallions earned, we have seen a fairly sharp increase in the number of members actively working toward earning their Silver Medallion. Many of those working on Silver are members who took a break after earning Bronze and have returned with a better focus for their studies.
We recently awarded our 1639th earned Bronze Medallion, 405 over the last year. We’ve also awarded our 33rd earned Silver Medallion, a total of 9 over the last year, and we have 14 members in the process of finishing up the requirements for their Silver. About half of those who have earned Silver are seriously working toward their Gold Medallion, with some of them nearing the halfway point in that journey.
Area Representatives: The objective for our ARs will be to identify potential servants who see KI as the means to develop their effectiveness in ministry and then to help them find a place to serve. We currently have 63 Area Representatives, most of whom are in the United States. Six are in Australia, five in New Zealand, and one each in Canada and the UK.
We are also launching the “enhanced Issachar classes”: they address three issues that have been raised in the past: 1) members with limited computer/technical skills, 2) the need for foundational instruction in analytical thinking skills, and 3) the need for contributing members to the IDB, the Strategic Trends Blog, the weekly eNews, and the Personal Update. This also provides new opportunities for members to earn K-credits. One change which will help the technical skill challenges is the addition of new presentation software called SoundSlides, which will be used to create the briefings. It is an inexpensive, visual-oriented, intuitive software for ease of use in combining PowerPoint slides and an audio file into a multimedia presentation.
Our goals for 2012 include retaining our Bronze Medallions recipients and encouraging their pathways to Silver; continuing to grow our Area Representatives; and, developing and identifying Regional Managers. We are also looking to implement a “Degree Program” and a KI Discipleship Program. We will also be focusing on building church partnerships and continuing to broaden our faculty.
Organizations that are static are often found dead. Chuck Missler is never static, nor are the organizations that surround him. Since Chuck will be spending the majority of his time in New Zealand, we’ve put together a plan that will accommodate this new venture and also a way to support each branch of the ministry as we move forward with our global outreach.
K-House will continue operations in much the same manner, but without the audio/visual recording, editing and product creation of Chuck Missler materials. K-House will continue to duplicate and distribute those materials. K-House will be retooling its current auditorium/recording studio in ways that will accommodate different speakers and video scenarios. Lyonshead Media, a media company owned by the Koinonia International Trust and located at the River Lodge, will assume the responsibilities of recording, editing and producing masters for duplication of all of Chuck’s materials and radio/TV broadcasting. A new “Executive Briefing Room” is being designed and built at the River Lodge, where Chuck will continue to teach Bible studies and record briefings about various topics.
We are encouraged and believe God is guiding us in the direction we need to go. There are some challenges and changes that need to be made—many that will not be easy, but God never called us down Easy Street—He just calls and directs and we listen and follow. Please keep Chuck, Koinonia House, KI, and the River Lodge in your daily prayers. We thank you for your support of this ministry and we ask that you will prayerfully consider joining us in this Grand Adventure in the coming year. We covet your prayers and appreciate your financial support—we could not reach the number of people we do without your support. Your donations help support our materials going to soldiers, the poor, and our radio ministry, which is heard throughout the world.
Thank you, and may God bless you as you continue to serve Him.
In His Grip,
Mark Gustafson and the entire staff