Marketing Intern: Kimberly

Hello

My name is Kimberly Anderson. I'm a fourth year public relations major at the University of Florida, Gainesville, Fla. (Go Gators!) Over the past year, I've developed a strong desire to pursue the mission field. This past spring, the Lord placed me in the right place to meet the Wycliffe mobilization team. Through them, I learned about this internship and how my major plays a significant role in Bible translation.

Initially, I wasn't really sure about this place, but when I came to visit and approach Wycliffe's beautifully designed building and met all the kind, warm-hearted people, it blew my mind. I was amazed to see, what marvelous work God was doing for the world through this organization. This fall semester, I will be interning in the public relations/marketing area of the communications department. I'm really excited.

August 20, 2003

Hello

My first week went well. I spent most of my time getting acquainted with everyone in the department. I really didn’t get an in-depth look at what the communication department does on my first visit. But now I can truly say that they do some exemplary work with equally exemplary equipment. God has blessed this organization with a video production studio, photo lab and up-to-date designing programs that will aid them in spreading the message of Bible translation and the field of missions.

Although all of this is great, I must say that this does not compare to the teamwork this organization practices. Everything works so that the mission is fulfilled in a collaborative effort. I came to Wycliffe as a result of a collaborative effort. As I’ve mentioned before, I met some mobilizers (Gertrude and Kevin Nicholas) and they invited me to Wycliffe. Which eventually lead me to Ruth. Ruth is the marketing director (my supervisor). She’s a really cool person with a great sense of humor (I think it’s a communication department trait). She made sure everything was set when I arrived here. I will probably be mentioning her in the future. Well, I could write 1,000 more words about my first week but I think I will spare your eyes.

Have a God Bless Day,
Kimberly

August 26, 2003

I spent most of my time doing the technical stuff last week (getting my Wycliffe email address, setting up my voicemail… etc). This week I got my first project. To increase awareness of the importance of the Bible and the process of translation, the communications department is developing the campaign “No Bible Sunday,” a churched base program where the Bible scripture is not used. We’re currently in the early developing stages and are creating a pilot program to test it out. Personally, I’ve been working on a ROPE (Research, Objective, Planning, Execution) analysis, which is an overview of the measurable objectives and possible program activities. The ROPE will serve as a planning outline for the communication department. Its weird because in school, I’ve been drilled this stuff over and over again, but now I’m actually doing it, the real thing.

I’m also looking through our current media archive to see what can use to aid in the campaign. Aside from the “real work” stuff, the communications department is preparing for the welcome day of Wycliffe’s new president Bob Creson. I really enjoyed this. Every department is decorating a box with a gift inside, but since the communications department are “out the box” thinkers, we put everything outside of the box. We’re also developing a “What about Bob?” 3 minute video that will have quotes from different Bobs like Bob the Tomato, Bob the Builder, What about Bob? (the movie), Bob Barker…. This was really fun.

September 2, 2003

I’m starting to get into the swing of things now. This week I worked on creating a ROPE analysis for a children’s campaign. We’re trying to incorporate children in the giving process, therefore we’re partnering with Sunday school curriculum DiscipleLand to develop a 12-week lesson plan centered on the canoe located in the WordSpring Discover Center. The WordSpring gives people a captivating look at the vision of Wycliffe and the job of a Bible translator. During the 12 weeks, children will collect loose change. Their goal is to fill the canoe. To do this, we need to work on getting the size and dimensions of the canoe and project ideas. I’m also doing some research for WYNET, Wycliffe’s teenager website. I’m trying to find demographics and articles on teen trends.

September 9, 2003

Okay, I’m kind of joining weeks together now. For the past two weeks I’ve been working on the DiscipleLand project, Wynet research, and critiquing the Wynet web site. When I look back at my other blogs, I noticed I didn’t mention the “Free the Beagle” meetings. Every Tuesday the department comes together to read Roy H. Williams “Free the Beagle,” a book discussing left/right brain thinking and finding destiny. When we first started this, I felt like I was in second grade again, circling around the carpet for story time, but I became more intrigued by the simple yet symbolic concepts as the story progressed. Now I’m telling everyone to “Free the Beagle!” “Free the Beagle!” No but really, I did find it interesting and I recommend you read it. Besides freeing the Beagle, I’ve been collecting information for a press release on the WordSpring. The WordSpring has been open for more than a year now, so we’re developing a press release to let everyone know about its accomplishments this year. Well I hope you’ve enjoyed reading my blog this week.

-Kim

September 26, 2003

I’ve been kind of busy these past two weeks. So I think I’ll give you a brief synopsis of both. The first week was all about Bob, Bob, Bob, Bob and oh, by the way, did I mention Bob. I guess you’re wondering “What about Bob?” Bob Creason is Wycliffe’s new President that will be inaugurated on Saturday September 27, 2003, which also happens to be my birthday.

The week started out with the welcoming party for Bob and his wife Dallas at chapel on Monday. I really enjoyed the creative skits and presentations from the different departments. On Thursday Bob spent the day in the communications department getting to know us (We’re really a bunch of silly people). This was truly an educational experience, I learned that someone knows how to milk a cow, and someone has eaten snake before. Overall, it was a fun week.

The following week was a little different. First, let me give you this advice: Never eat pastrami Swiss Reuben at lunch when you know that you’re going to play soccer that afternoon (BIG MISTAKE!) Besides me being out of shape, that sandwich really made me feel horrible. However, I did enjoy the exercise.

Okay, by now you’re wondering what else did I do. Well, I finally finished the news release. I must say that this was a quite an experience. Why? Because it had to go through so many people and each person wanted to add or rephrased something. But I believe that the finished product was good. I’m also designing an DVD power point presentation for the DiscipleLand campaign. The DVD will be enclosed with the curriculum packet. It will serve as a Wycliffe media resource catalog, giving teachers an overview of the different teaching tools available. I also worked a little on the Wynet website survey. Well, I know your eyes are getting kind of tired, so stay tuned next week for another blog entry.

Shalom & Blessings,
Kim

September 29, 2003

These past couple of weeks I spent most of my time designing the DVD for the DiscipleLand. I really enjoyed doing this because it gave me an opportunity to improve my designing skills. I think my eye is more intuned to the flow and unity of marketing literature. Along with the DVD design, I’ve also gotten plug into the African American aspect of public relations through Gertrude and Kevin Nicholas (African American mobilization team). The Nicholas’s travel across the country, speaking at African American Church’s and conferences about the great need in the mission field. As I’ve mentioned before, I’m here because they came to speak at my church. In effort to support them, I’ve been trying to develop new ways of reaching their audience.

A lot of times I think that many Americans have an overwhelming attitude of self-pity and greed and they have yet to realize that they have far exceeded the wealth of the world. Even the poorest person in America can’t identify with a middle class person in a remote village in Africa. Now I’m not saying that people don’t need help in American but I think that there is an over emphasis on certain issues. Okay I’m closing that discussion.

Before I go, I wanted to talk about Sonburst 2003. Sonburst is a Florida state conference hosted by Intervarsity Christian Fellowship. Intervarsity represents a diverse group of Christian College students from around the world. Since the conference was in Orlando, I thought it would be a great idea for Wycliffe to be represented. So, the youth mobilization coordinator (Maralee) and I went. Our plans were to pass out literature to students and try to network with the Florida IV director about possible partnerships and etc. Well, God truly favored us. They were very interested and are looking to do things with Wycliffe in the near future. Hallelujah! In next couple of weeks I along with Maralee will be working on trying to get a ROPE/Partnership plan together for this. I will keep you updated on its progress. Well, I think that’s enough for now.

God bless you and keep you,
Kimberly Anderson

October 17, 2003

Hello All,

Things have been going well. Oh, must apologize for my typos in previous journal entries. I ask that you take them in love. My research on the African American Mobilization has intensified since the last time. A lot of the questions I had about African Americans in the mission field have been partially answered. As a child, the concept of a missionary was distorted. My church like many of other African American Churches define a missionary as a woman that conducts bible studies, prays for people, does humanitarian acts in the community and dresses up one Sunday out of the month to collect money for overseas missions.

Through my research, I discovered African Americans were heavily involved with missions in Africa and the Caribbean (18th century, after they received freedom). But as Jim Crow laws became more prominent and the Colonial Dictatorship in East Africa, European Americans and other non-blacks prohibited African Americans from leaving the country. These events discourage African Americans and eventually led them to re-define “missionary,” which is why I view missionaries a certain way in my church. Although times have changed and segregation is no more, many African American churches are limiting Gods work in them, because they continue not to function as God’s definition of a missionary. Jesus didn’t say… All women go therefore into your community, he said go therefore into all nations making disciples…. As you can see, I’m very sensitive about this subject.

Besides working on the African American research, I’ve been working on marketing strategies for the Village Shop. For those who don’t know, the village shop is Wycliffe’s gift shop. During the month of November and December, the Village Shop will be lowering its prices on items for the holiday season. So I’ve been trying to pair things together as well find a promotional theme. Well, I think I’ve written enough for now.

Shalom and Blessings,
Kimberly Anderson

November 19, 2003

Last Tuesday WBT reserved a day for prayer. All day we prayed for issues involving the process of Bible translation and Bibleless people. I think Americans take the word for granted. I mean, imagine not having the scripture in your language. It’s like trying to assemble a house without a blueprint. This experience has made me more grateful for the Word of God and challenges me to grasp every word in my heart because there may come a time when the word might be forbidden.

Another big day is approaching. No, I’m not talking about Thanksgiving, but rather Urbana. We’re in the process of finishing up the rock-climbing wall that will be on display at the WBT booth. It looks really good. For those of you who don’t know, Urbana is a conference that focuses on world missions. People from all over the world meet in Urbana Illinois for a week of praise and to learn more about God’s heart for the Nations. I’m trying to raise funds as well as encouraged people to attend. I ask that you lift this conference up in your prayers. Pray that lives will be changed, challenged and willing to pursue global missions. I’ve been told that it’s the closest thing to heaven--people from all over the world gathered under one roof praising the Lord Jesus Christ (How awesome is that!)

I also had a chance to sit in on some strategic planning for a vacation Bible school curriculum for African Americans. The communications department has partnered with Sunday school publishing company Urban Ministries Inc. UMI is the largest Sunday school publishing company targeting the African American Audience. The goal of this partnership is to introduce African American children to missions and help mobilize the African American church to involvement through Wycliffe. I really enjoyed this and I’m excited about what God is doing and is going to do in the hearts of African Americans churches. Well, I think I’ve said enough today.

Shalom and Blessings,
Kimberly Anderson

December 19, 2003

Hello everyone,

Today is my last day at Wycliffe. I’ve really enjoyed the people and have learned far more than what I expected (Thanks everyone). I couldn’t have ask for a better place to work. I received so much understanding on Bible translation and how God calls all of us to play a part. If you’re in college and have a semester, I totally recommend you doing an internship with Wycliffe. I guarantee that you will not leave the same way you came.Next week this time, I should be on my way to Urbana. I’m not going to say I’m expecting to know where God wants me to serve or what I’m going to do with the rest of my life. I’m going expecting God to be God, that’s all. I will submitt one last journal entry about Urbana.

I ask that you pray…

• That God will have his way with me and the many other students at Urbana
• That everyone will be in good health when they arrive and depart.
• That everything will go well with me at school. (housing, classes, finances)
• For all the Bibleless people in the world. (That one day the 3,000* will be 0)

*The number of languages without the Bible.

Emmanuel (God is with us),
Kimberly Anderson