WHAT DO WE DO ON THE SFM? (PART 2)

By Ben Mc

Photography!

We continue our look at the SFM topics with one of the most popular subjects - Photography! Even though it’s only for a week, the lessons and practical assignments on Photography often end up some of the most memorable and enjoyable for the students. The students gain and grow in valuable areas of skill that they are able to use on our outreach and in their lives beyond our school.

The SFM’s focus is on using media for missions, so with Photography we emphasize shots of people – the men, women and children who in their faces tell stories of the love of God and his burden to reach them.

Our approach is pretty simple really. We put a camera into the students’ hands, teach them how to use it, and then send them out to take photos. We want them to come back from outreach in the nations with brilliant pictures of people, so to train them we send them to one of the harder places we know: Perth, Australia!

Students spend a couple of hours in downtown Perth and other areas of the city where they approach strangers and ask if they can take their pictures. It’s challenging, and they do get some rejections, but every year they come back with a great shots. It’s amazing - some go from having no idea how to use a SLR camera to being able to quickly think through issues of framing, focus, background, lighting and more to capture beautiful portraits of people all around us.

Hear it from some of the students directly:

When I came to the school, God had been showing me a little of how to use photography for His glory, but I still felt there must be more. When we did our week on photography, God really opened my eyes to new ways of using the tool that He has given me and reminded me to find the image of God in the faces of the people and to glorify Him with the pictures I take.
--Katie, USA

I always thought photos are just capturing the moment and evidence of good memories until we had Photography class for a week. I was able to see clearly how God sees people through the lens. Every time I spend time and take shots focusing on the eyes of people I see their deep need of a Saviour. I think photography is a cool tool for evangelism. Subjects see they are being valued when you take time with them—they see that this short period of time is all about them and that’s a sense of value.
--TJ, Philippines

During the week of Photography, God gave me a new view to see the people through God’s eyes. He wants to share hidden treasures with us! Taking pictures opens doors to talk to them and share the gospel.
--Tamara, Switzerland

The school carries on with Photography on outreach, both formally and informally. The pictures the students take become a tool for mobilizing prayer and missions, both through “official” media presentations and through informal sharing of shots and memories. You can see some examples of the photos we’ve taken on outreach by clicking on the "Gallery" link above.