outreach media: good news through icons, really.

Our vision dominates our senses. Advertising companies suck us in with billboards, shopfronts, webpages to get their message. On the brighter side, there is an organisation with a good message to give, not to sell, it is called Outreach Media, and is based in Sydney.

We went to the FEVA (Fellowship for Evangelism of the Arts) annual dinner last night at Newtown, and was reminded of how creative these christian images from Outreach Media were. You may remember the "Jesus Loves Osama" poster back in February last year? It made world headlines, and were repeated stolen from churches that displayed it. People wanted it because it was controversial. But Christians loved it, because Jesus Christ really loves Osama, even Osama, whom the world hates. It encapsulates the outrageous love God has for His enemies.

I'm all for sending the right message. The technical term is message discipline. Every breath I take is another moment for the proclamation of something. The stars proclaim their beauty and fame. Leaders proclaim their discipline and ability. School kids proclaim or rather yell out their need for security and peers. Christians proclaim the good news.

So far, not many churches have made use of these creative icons that proclaim the good news. "Oh, they're controversial. It's just art. What would the neighbours think? Shouldn't we spend the money elsewhere?" Please, at the very least people think when they read these billboards from Outreach Media. And, in all their products so far, their theology has been spot on. Jesus came as Lord, He divides the world into love or hatred of Him, not a tasteless backwash. The good news ought to confront everyone, sinner, saint, believer, agnostic or unbeliever.

So I ask, which of the icons above do you worship? Jesus is not one of them, because He can't be sold to you. He gives himself freely. Is that okay with you?