Hello To All,
It is good to be here and a joy indeed to see the efforts moving forward.This edition is a day late,due to some detail info that needed to be discussed concerning future plans,but the overview is that things are on schedule and doing quite well.
First,perhaps a little about “Where We Have Been Thus Far”. Voices For Christ went online approximately May 14′th,1995.Since that time,the library has increased in momentum,and seemingly still is doing so.There is a more or less continual flow of incoming new material,and also an out going flow by way of DVD/CD requests, and downloads.Other than an occasional problem with the website server computer,and sometimes poorly or unlabeled tapes,the road has not been hard,but joyful indeed.
Next is “Where We Are Now”…………….We are drawing ever closer to the immediate goal of getting all ministry digitized (converted from tape format into audio files) thus far,onto the website from which it can be accessed.This month’s additions of almost 2,000 messages are comprised primarily of Bible Conference messages.Many,many of these are a result of one individual,who spent many years faithfully collecting them.
This person was Harold Preston,who recently went home to be with the Lord,just weeks ago.Quoting from an email sent by the contact person for the http://www.elkcreekgospelchapel.org assembly,located in the state of Kentucky,we read the following.
“Harold Preston went home to be with the Lord, 9:45 A.M.Thursday morning ,April 20 th.Vena was there with him and said that he was alert and seemed to understand as she was sharing scripture with him and thanking him for being such a good husband.She said he opened his eyes wide,got a big smile on his face,and then took his last breath.She is thanking the Lord for allowing her to be there to see the expression on his face as he passed.The Lord is so good to us !”
We have placed the 210 messages that we have by Mr.Preston onto the VFC site as part of the May additions.We are hoping to add at least a brief profile,just as soon as one is sent.
And now,on to “Where We Want To Go” in the future.Basically we desire to keep growing,and to adhere to our statement of “Building A Resource For All Of God’s People”.As part of this growth,we will be needing increasing computer space in which to store the growing library of mp3 type audio files.Currently we are purchasing space on two 80 gigabyte hard drives.As of this month’s additions,there is approximately 25 or so gigabytes freesapce remaining.This situation will have to be changing in the not so distant future.The hope is to go with ample space to carry the ministry forward,so that when libraries are donated or borrowed,we will have the room to add them.At the current time,there are approximately another 6,000 + messages that we hope to, in the Lord’s will,be adding during June and July.Afterwards at this point depends on new material offered.
We have mentioned previously the desire to branch out into “foreign” language material,meaning languages other than just English.This is happening and hopefully will continue.To elaborate a little,former radio broadcasts are a good source of material.The messages are generally concise and to the point,and the audio quality is usually good.Another source perhaps can be,new material generated thru a common cassette type recorder,and a quiet location at home.Both individual messages as well as series ,could be as lengthy as the speaker desired.An example might be of a missionary or commended worker,doing a series on a particular subject or theme,and not needing to be concerned with time limitations.This material after being generated thru cassettes,could be sent to VFC,where we will digitize it and place it on the website,where it can be made available to all interested.This would allow the sharing of material in any language within the capability of the speaker.
Another source are assembly tape libraries……….these are always around,and (hallelujah) can spring back to life.There have been several occasions of grandchildren expressing there gratitude for being able to hear the voices of a grandparent that perhaps they never met in person.Also,many assemblies have audio on the assembly website……audio that gets replaced with new material as time passes.The messages removed could be sent to VFC and we would strive to give them a permanent home. The overview is that the technology for sharing audio has already evolved to the point where it is not overly resource consuming or expensive to retain and utilize messages from years ago.
Another point to mention here is that the VFC website itself will continue to evolve. Our webmaster is carrying a large load of the work here,as well as the other responsibilities in life,such as career and family.
The desire to break away from the current format of utilizing “pop-ups” as the means of accessing message data,into a format allowing more ways to present the material in ways that will enhance retrieval,is in the planning stage. These things take time to make happen,but are forthcoming in the future,as time permits.
We desire to say,right here and right now……..feel free to share ideas you might have.We can get acquainted,have mutual fellowship,and evolve into a better ministry in the process.
So be in contact and help us to become a useful and growing ministry.
Warmly In Christ,
The VFC Team