Message of the Week

MessageWeek produces free online video streams sharing life-changing words of hope and encouragement.

This free community service and initiative utilises current technologies to share the age-old message that God loves the world, and offers salvation (eternal life) to everyone through His Son Jesus Christ. This good news message is friendly, easy to understand, and filled with hope.

BRIEF HISTORY
The first MessageWeek video clip was streamed in 1997 as an experiment accompanying the local Perth Church website. The local webmaster felt that such emerging technology may assist in sharing the good news.

The initial filming utilised an old VHS video camera, and was streamed at 28k in Vivo format. A new weekly video clip was produced for several years. It soon became apparent that the rapid development of the internet, together with new content delivery technologies, has significantly changed the way we receive information.

Filming on-location

MessageWeek utilises a variety of popular media formats, including HDV, and provides a range of bandwidth options. The content is edited on a Pentium Core2Duo system. Most films are kept relatively short in order to overcome current bandwidth limitations.

The MessageWeek has developed using available film and streaming technology. The introduction of broadband heralded a new era in media streaming.

Professional training with Channel 9 helped. In 2003 the film studio moved from Spencers Brook to larger premises in Perth, until it finally moved back in 2005. MessageWeek now features regularly on local Access 31 television.

NON-PROFIT MINISTRY
MessageWeek is a non-profit Christian ministry, following the instructions of Jesus Christ to live and share the good news. The work of script writing, filming, DV editing and promotion is voluntary work. Meet some of our team. The recording base for our work is in Western Australia.

We do not solicit contributions. However, we welcome any donation to assist us in bringing this message without cost to our viewers. If you wish to help in this way, know that all donations are gratefully received, and are used to offset production costs.

Although MessageWeek is produced in Australia, we have regular viewers and supporters from all over the world.

Photo of recording studio and offices in South Guildford, Western Australia

PRODUCER
Producer John Klassek says that this ministry is unique in that it is one of the oldest websites worldwide to stream free short regular video clips.

For further information, please visit "Your Questions..." section of this website.

While there are numerous web sites now that stream video, few to date have existed with the variety or mission that has characterised our work.

For John and Rebecca, this service is a culmination of Jesus' discipling call, their local church work, experience with various media, as well as work in the IT industry.

"We really had no idea, when we started, of how far-reaching and effective media streaming could be," recalls John, "however I always felt a sense of mission to persist... It's provided remarkable training for all of us, and it is exciting to be able to articulate the timeless-ness of God's word and grace in this complex world in ways that people can readily access."

As parents of six children, John and Rebecca know that outreach and care begins in the home - a place of love and nurture in teaching and experiencing God's Word.

Technical development by Classic IT Support

FUTURE:
Our goals for the future development of MessageWeek include:

Continue to provide FREE quality and enjoyable Gospel media experiences
Continued development of "hope and encouragement" (good news) themes
Continued training and development of team members
Benefit from good mentors in various technological and theological areas
Evaluation and implementation of best bi-vocational work practises
Directly reach 60 million people in Asia-Pacific region
Develop broadcast quality 8-24 minute films for television
Review succession planning strategy
Complement existing outreach efforts of other ministries
Increase bandwidth and implement better redundant server technologies
Seek sustainable sponsorship enabling full-time development
Maintain 50% content filmed on location
Introduce interviewed guests and special feature films
On location filming to include international venues of significance
Develop partnerships with Church of God congregations and ministries
Establish additional regional offices/studio in Victoria, Australia
Development of a larger film studio with improved lighting
Further develop High Definition and Flash streaming formats

December 2005: on location filming of Intelligent Design sequence at Spencers Brook in Western Australia.