Yvonne Carlson | Chief Technology Officer
Global Media Outreach
DigitalMediaCon 5.0 is a three-day online conference focusing exclusively on digital media and marketing for Christian communicators. The live virtual conference will take place October 22-24, 2024. All sessions will also be available for on-demand viewing through January 23, 2025.
The event is produced by the Evangelical Press Association (EPA) with the National Association of Evangelicals (NAE) as the co-presenting organization. An additional seven Christian media associations are participating partners.
A virtual conference platform provides a single login space where registered attendees can conveniently access recorded sessions, interact through networking with community discussion boards, and browse the virtual exhibit floor. The platform will provide access to all sessions for 90 days through January 23, 2025.
There are nine live and two pre-recorded sessions featuring ministry and industry leaders, individuals who have risen to the top of their professions and are widely respected for their skills and knowledge. This is where you will be challenged, trained, and equipped to take your skills to a higher level.
Yvonne Carlson is the Chief Technology Officer at Global Media Outreach, bringing her extensive experience in technology leadership across various industries to the organization. Before joining Global Media Outreach, Yvonne served as the Vice President of Product at Unite Life. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Colorado Christian University and completed graduate work in Information Communications Technology at the University of Denver.
Yvonne is a member of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Computer Society and is actively involved in the National Religious Broadcasters Digital Media Committee, where she serves as Chair. As a leadership team member for Missional AI and the former Director of FaithTech Chicago, Yvonne is passionate about integrating faith and technology.
Throughout her career, Yvonne has held technology leadership positions in multiple industries, including broadcasting, global manufacturing, advertising, fundraising, and higher education. With her diverse background and expertise, she brings a unique perspective to her work at Global Media Outreach, where she is committed to driving innovation and technological advancement in the organization’s mission to reach people with the message of Jesus Christ.
Yvonne Carlson | Chief Technology Officer
Global Media Outreach
As the founder and president of Groundwire, Sean Dunn has combined his calling as an evangelist with his gifting as an innovative entreprenuer. He is focused on creatively and effectively communicating God’s Word, Love, and Purpose to every student. Through his leadership, Groundwire has grown to be one of the most influential and efficient evangelistic outreaches in the US having seen more than two million from the Millennial and Z Generations place their trust in Jesus since 2017.
Sean Dunn | Founder/President
Groundwire
Katie has more than 25 years of sales and marketing experience. She currently works for FrontGate Media helping faith-based businesses/non-profits connect with faith-based audiences by developing and executing digital marketing strategies and creating content that produce results. Her focus is growing and engaging social audiences, recruiting donors, selling product, and generating leads. Her approach is unique because she knows successful digital marketing is more than just strategy and execution, it focuses on content that invites customers into your vision in a way that adds value to their lives.
Katie Nguyen | Digital Marketing Manager
Frontgate Media
Richard Clark is an experienced podcast strategist and producer who has helped numerous organizations launch successful podcasts that resonate with diverse audiences. With a career spanning over a decade in media, Richard launched Christianity Today’s initial slate of podcasts, worked with multiple Christian publishers, helped create a number of podcasts for the Christian Standard Bible podcast network. He has a passion for crafting audio experiences that build genuine connections. Richard is also the founder of Area Code Audio, a podcast production and consulting agency.
Richard Clark | Podcast Producer
Area Code Audio
Jennifer S. Clark is a digital native, social media maven, and Swiss army knife marketer with a passion for crafting sustainable strategies that elevate brands in the digital space. With years of professional experience in social media marketing, Jennifer has established herself as a versatile professional who thrives at the intersection of technology, communication, and brand development. Jennifer’s expertise spans across various social media platforms, content creation, analytics, and digital advertising. She has a knack for translating complex data into actionable insights, helping brands to navigate the ever-evolving digital landscape with confidence and agility.
Jennifer Clark | Social Media Specialist
Informa Markets
Billy Hallowell is a digital TV host and interviewer for Faithwire and CBN News and the co-host of CBN’s “Quick Start Podcast.” Hallowell has written more than 14,000 stories on faith, culture and politics, has interviewed hundreds of celebrities, authors and influencers and is the author of four books, including “Playing with Fire: A Modern Investigation into Demons, Exorcism, and Ghosts,” and “The Armageddon Code: One Journalist’s Quest for End-Times Answers.” He was formerly the director of content and communications at Pure Flix and the former faith and culture editor at TheBlaze.
Billy Hallowell | Digital TV Host
CBN News
Kenny Jahng is an entrepreneur, strategic advisor, and former pastor. He is the editor-in-chief of ChurchTechToday.com, founder of AiForChurchLeaders.com, and CEO of Big Click Syndicate, a strategic marketing advisory firm helping Christian leaders build marketing engines that work. Kenny has an MBA from Columbia Business School, M. Divinity from Princeton Theological Seminary, and BA from Duke University.
Kenny Jahng | Editor-in-Chief
ChurchTechToday.com
Brooke Miles founded Delaware ShoutOut, a LinkedIn strategy and training firm, to help small businesses pack more punch into their LinkedIn presence without breaking a sweat. In 10 years of business, Brooke and her team have worked directly with hundreds of clients, who have reported significant gains in followers, engagement, and traffic to their websites. Brooke has also won multiple awards in the Delaware and Philadelphia regions, including the 2024 Best Woman-Owned Business. Brooke is becoming increasingly known for her YouTube channel, which has helped her attract new clients around the world.
Brooke Miles | Social Media Consultant
Delaware ShoutOut
Jon Hirst is the co-founder of Generous Mind, a think tank helping thought leaders to be generous with what they know. He has spent his life serving in nonprofit leadership, bringing global mission, innovation and communications together in service to the Kingdom. Jon is an author, marketer, publisher and, most recently, he was Chief Technology Officer for SIL. Prior to that he was CEO for GMI (Global Mapping International), where he helped launch the first ministry infographic service. He supports a community of innovators via www.innovationinmission.com.
Jon Hirst | Technology Consultant
Generous Mind
Paul A. Hoffman, Ph.D., has served as the lead pastor of Evangelical Friends Church of Newport, Rhode Island, since 2007. His life’s mission is contending for reconciliation, unity, and revival. He has served on the Oversight Board for the Evangelical Friends Church–Eastern Region and is an Association Director for Vision New England. Paul is a nationally recognized scholar and leader in the area of racial reconciliation, and provides leadership for and participates in various prayer and unity movements in the US and abroad. Paul is an adjunct professor and co-authored Preaching to a Divided Nation, Outreach magazine’s 2023 Resource of the Year (Leadership).
He is the co-author of the forthcoming book AI Shepherds and Electric Sheep: Leading and Teaching in the Age of AI (Baker Academic), which will be released March 18, 2025.
Paul Hoffman | Lead Pastor
Evangelical Friends Church
David Bourgeois, Ph.D., is a professor for the Crowell School of Business at Biola University, where he has served for the past twenty-one years with a focus on the fields of information systems, data analytics, and now artificial intelligence. Since receiving his Ph.D. in Information Systems from Claremont Graduate University in 2006, he has focused his research on the use of digital technologies in organizations, with a focus on ministries and churches. From 2012 to 2015, he hosted the Digital Ministry Conference at Biola University and in 2013 he published his book Ministry in the Digital Age. More recently, he has turned his attention to the study of machine learning and artificial intelligence technologies and their use and impact in business organizations. He was appointed Director of the AI Lab at Biola in the spring of 2024.
David Bourgeois | Director of AI Lab
Biola University
Micah Voraritskul is a multifaceted professional known for his work in education, content development, and AI-human content verification. He is the founder of VerifiedHuman™, an initiative dedicated to distinguishing human-authored content from AI-generated material. With a background in English and Spanish Education (B.A.) and a Master of Divinity (M.Div.), Micah has also earned certifications like Agile CSM. His career spans roles as a teacher, content developer, and communications consultant. His efforts have been particularly influential in addressing the challenges posed by AI in education, advocating for ethical use and the importance of human creativity in various fields.
Micah Voraritskul | Founder
VerifiedHuman
With years of experience managing social media for an international nonprofit, Megan understands the unique challenges nonprofit and religious organizations face in today’s social media landscape. Her experience in social media planning, strategy, management, and public relations has helped propel VOM’s channels to unprecedented growth during her tenure. She received her MA in Mass Communication from the University of Florida and has a passion for helping other nonprofit organizations understand the importance of organic social media for communicating with their stakeholders.
Megan Conley | Social Media Strategist
Voice of the Martyrs
Brad Kramer is the founder and owner of Kramer Creative, which provides communications and marketing solutions to nonprofits, churches, and social entrepreneurs. He is a nonprofit communications and marketing expert with ten years of experience at organizations including BioLogos, Bethany Christian Services, and Redeem International.
Brad Kramer | Designer, Content Strategist
Kramer Creative
12:00 pm (ET) - 12:50 pm (ET)
Billy Hallowell – Journalist and Digital TV Host
CBN News
This session will focus on how one piece of content can be used in multiple locations, on various platforms, and to advance the original intent of a singular story. Rather than reinventing the wheel, this session will help busy faith reporters and hosts ponder how they can streamline their stories for maximal impact. Billy Hallowell will share tips and ideas that can help further each interview.
What you will learn:
• Why it’s important to rethink how stories are collected
• How streamlined story collection can help fuel content for various platforms
• How one interview can be used in various places/on numerous platforms
1:15 PM (ET) - 2:05 PM (ET)
Jennifer Clark – Social Media Specialist
Informa Markets
In this one-hour workshop, communicators will learn how to develop a compelling and authentic social media presence that aligns with their personal values and mission. We’ll explore strategies for creating a distinctive personal brand that resonates with your audience while staying true to your core beliefs. Participants will gain practical insights on leveraging various social media platforms to amplify their message, engage with their community, and grow their influence by sharing meaningful parts of themselves online.
What you will learn:
• Defining your unique voice and message as a values-driven communicator
• Crafting a cohesive personal brand across different social media platforms
• Creating content that authentically reflects your beliefs and engages your audience
• Balancing personal and professional aspects of your online presence
• Strategies for growing your follower base and increasing engagement
• Tips for maintaining consistency and authenticity in your social media communications
1:15 PM (ET) - 2:05 PM (ET)
Kenny Jahng – Editor-in-Chief
ChurchTechToday.com
Description pending.
This session will be pre-recorded.
2:30 PM (ET) - 3:20 PM (ET)
Brad Kramer – Designer & Content Strategist
Kramer Creative
Almost 70 percent of all online experiences begin with a search engine. However, search engine optimization (SEO) often seems complicated and costly to content creators. In this workshop, I’ll show you how to use little-known (and totally free) Google tools to attract and track search engine traffic to your content.
What you will learn:
• How to leverage search engine optimization (SEO) for digital content creation
• How to use free Google tools to attract and track search engine traffic
3:45 PM (ET) - 4:35 PM (ET)
Click on the ON-DEMAND SESSIONS tab above to see the selection of videos from past conferences. Two of these will be unlocked each day of the conference. Once unlocked, they can be watched on-demand anytime.
12:00PM (ET) - 12:50 PM (ET)
Sean Dunn – Founder/President
Groundwire
Young people are not only digital natives, they are also digital addicts. This does create problems, but it also creates signfiicant opportunities. In this workshop we will examine Millennials and Gen Z’s behaviors and spiritual beliefs and we will explore strategies and messaging that is bearing significant fruit for the Kingdom. We will also share practical tips about how you can effectively use an interruptive approach to digital ministry.
What you will learn:
• Gain understanding of the spiritual beliefs and behaviors of Millennials and Gen Z
• Be challenged to consider how to share the unchanging message with an audience and culture that shifts quickly
• Be challenged to think creatively about their approach to social media proclamation
• Be challenged to get outside the box, do something different and allow the data to help them determine effectiveness
1:15 PM (ET) - 2:05 PM (ET)
Megan Conley – Social Media Strategist
Voice of the Martyrs
What does success on social media look like for your organization in 2025? Drawing on her years of experience managing social media for The Voice of the Martyrs, Megan will share the keys she’s learned to finding success in social media efforts. From tips for re-purposing content, which analytics are important to track, or if it’s worthwhile expanding into new social platforms, you’ll walk away with practical steps to help maximize your success, no matter your team size or social media budget.
What you will learn:
• Best practices for re-purposing content for social media
• How to find success on a video platform without any video
• Why organic social media is just as important (or more important) than paid ads
• Which metrics actually matter
This session will be pre-recorded.
1:15 PM (ET) - 2:05 PM (ET)
Brooke Miles – Social Media Consultant
Delaware ShoutOut
Video may be the most effective way to build your brand, but it can also be daunting, especially on YouTube. Brooke Miles of Delaware ShoutOut will share how she went into full force into making YouTube videos in the summer of 2020, organically growing her channel from 12 subscribers to 20,000 subscribers today. YouTube has enabled her to boost her revenues and transform her local business into one that serves clients around the world. Brooke will also share her biggest surprises and hardest lessons learned—along with practical tips you can use right away—so YOU can put your best foot forward with YOUR journey on YouTube!
2:30 PM (ET) - 3:20 PM (ET)
Jon Hirst – Technology Consultant (moderator)
Generous Mind
We all know there are significant ethical questions that AI raises for our work, but many times the conversation can remain out of reach. Join our discussion as we bring creatives, pastors, educators and ministry leaders with deep AI expertise together to talk about the practical application of AI ethics.
Panelists:
Paul Hoffman | Lead Pastor, Evangelical Friends Church
Micah Voraritsku | Founder, VerifiedHuman
David Bourgeois | Director of AI Labs, Biola University
3:45 PM (ET) - 4:35 PM (ET)
Click on the ON-DEMAND SESSIONS tab above to see the selection of videos from past conferences. Two of these will be unlocked each day of the conference. Once unlocked, they can be watched on-demand anytime.
12:00 PM (ET) - 12:50 PM (ET)
Yvonne Carlson – Chief Technology Officer
Global Media Outreach
1:15 PM (ET) - 2:05 PM (ET)
Richard Clark – Podcast Producer
Area Code Audio
The “Christian” podcast category is the most crowded on Apple Podcasts. That’s because a large portion of those podcasts are actually collections of sermons from pastors and churches. But that mindset often carries over to Christian podcasts that often lead with certainty and authority. In this workshop, we’ll challenge that status quo and discover how to create podcasts that foster genuine connection, model the posture of Jesus, and provide opportunities for true spiritual impact among our listeners.
What you will learn:
• Basic technical and format considerations that can help potential and existing podcasters connect more deeply with their audiences
• The unique opportunities and risks that come with creating a podcast
• How to create a podcast that causes audiences to feel seen, understood, connected more deeply to the host
2:30 PM (ET) - 3:20 PM (ET)
Katie Nguyen | Social & Digital Marketing Manager
FrontGate Media
Are you feeling stuck, frustrated, or overwhelmed because your marketing efforts seem to be falling flat? You’re not alone. In today’s ever-evolving landscape, it’s easy to feel lost when your tried-and-true strategies no longer deliver the results they once did.
Join us for an eye-opening seminar where we’ll dive deep into what to do when it feels like none of your marketing tactics are working. We’ll explore how to reassess your current strategies, pivot to fresh approaches, and, most importantly, understand the diverse range of marketing options available to you.
Discover how each tactic—whether it’s content marketing, social media, SEO, email campaigns, or paid ads—bears fruit differently. Learn the keys to identifying the right combination of strategies that align with your business goals and audience needs. Whether you’re looking to tweak your existing efforts or overhaul your entire marketing game plan, this seminar will equip you with the insights and tools to turn frustration into fruitful results.
Don’t miss this opportunity to re-energize your marketing approach and unlock the potential for growth and success!
What you will learn:
• Identify and Diagnose Ineffective Tactics: Learn how to critically evaluate your current marketing strategies to pinpoint what’s not working and why. Understand common pitfalls that could be undermining your efforts, such as targeting the wrong audience, misaligned messaging, or poor timing, and how to address them effectively.
• Explore a Spectrum of Marketing Options: Gain a comprehensive understanding of various marketing channels and tactics—like content marketing, social media, SEO, email marketing, and paid advertising—and how each can serve different business objectives. Discover how to choose and mix these options to create a balanced, multi-channel strategy that maximizes your reach and impact.
• Build a Dynamic, Results-Driven Strategy: Walk away with actionable steps to create a flexible and adaptive marketing plan. Learn how to measure the performance of each tactic, make data-driven adjustments, and ensure your marketing efforts are always aligned with your evolving business goals and market conditions.
These takeaways will empower you to turn your marketing frustrations into a well-informed, results-oriented strategy that drives growth and success.
3:45 PM (ET) - 4:35 PM (ET)
Click on the ON-DEMAND SESSIONS tab above to see the selection of videos from past conferences. Two of these will be unlocked each day of the conference. Once unlocked, they can be watched on-demand anytime.
ON DEMAND -
Kirsten McKinney – CEO
Digital Growth Mastery
Are you tired of pouring money into your marketing efforts with little results? What if I told you that even successful organizations often unknowingly lose money in their marketing every single month? Now, picture unraveling the secret to recapturing those lost profits in your marketing campaigns. In this captivating session, Kirsten McKinney unveils the treasure map that leads to reclaiming your lost profit. With her expertise, she highlights the eight most prevalent marketing pitfalls and equips you with powerful strategies to avoid them.
ON DEMAND -
Yvonne Carlson – Chief Technology Officer
Global Media Outreach
Dive into the transformative world of AI and automation with this practical workshop. Learn how cutting-edge AI solutions can simplify complex tasks, boost efficiency, and make your everyday life and work processes smoother. From personal to professional, discover the myriad ways AI can be your efficient assistant.
ON DEMAND -
Allison Steinke – Assistant Professor
Hubbard School of Journalism & Mass Communication
This workshop focuses on the conceptual and practical skills necessary for content creators, editors, and managers to create, produce, publish and distribute content for brands. The workshop will address new technologies for branded storytelling including various forms of online video, longer form digital content such as blogs and web sites, and social media community content created for social platforms. The workshop will also incorporate elements of user experience and the skills necessary to adapt and modify content in an iterative process after analyzing audience data, and will also discuss emerging trends including influencer marketing and partnerships.
What you will learn:
• Best practices to develop and manage a brand’s voice/tone on digital and social media platforms
• How to create a compelling, flexible, & adaptable content strategy & editorial calendar based on analytics &amd search engine optimization (SEO) principles to optimize your brand/organization’s user &and customer experience (UX/CX)
• How to utilize and monitor analytics to build social media communities and advocates and adapt the plan based on engagement
ON DEMAND -
Thomas Umstattd, Jr. – CEO
Castle Media Group LLC | Author Media
Learn cutting-edge techniques to get more email subscribers, avoid spam filters, and craft the kind of emails that subscribers want to forward to friends.
ON DEMAND -
Jason Thacker – Assistant Professor of Philosophy and Ethics
Boyce College/Southern Baptist Theological Seminary
No matter where we turn these days, it seems that everyone is talking about how artificial intelligence is (and will continue to) radically alter everything about our lives. From our work to our families, we are already using these tools whether we realize it or not. As we seek to cultivate wisdom and discernment in navigating our digital age, how does God call us to respond and think about AI and its vast implications on writing, reporting, and publishing? No matter what challenges we may face today or into the future, God is reminding his people to love him and love our neighbor as ourselves especially in the work he has called us to do.
ON DEMAND -
Daniel Darling – Director, Land Center for Cultural Engagement
Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary
Cynicism has become a cottage industry, especially online, especially among evangelicals. And to be honest, we have our share of scandals and epic fails. But if we are not careful, we’ll let ourselves and our organizations become catechized by bad headlines. We’ll miss what God is doing in the world among his people. This is not a call to naiveté, but to look up and see what God is doing and to tell that story—in our social media engagement, in our public witness, in the stories we tell.
What you will learn:
• How to evaluate your online disposition
• How to recognize the whole story
• Why you should ask yourself if what you are doing promotes unity or division
• How to recognize where God is at work and tell that story
If you are a current member of one of the following partner associations, you qualify for the discounted member rate:
ACP, BCA, CBN, CCCA, CNA, ECPA, EPA, MTI, NAE
All times listed are Eastern Daylight Time (GMT-0400, New York USA).
A few days before the start of the event, you will receive an email with the URL and login information for the Whova event platform. If you do not receive it by Oct. 20, please send an inquiry or call 480-868-2466. Login will require you to use the same email address entered on your registration form.
The Whova event platform can be accessed on desktop and laptop computers as well as with an app for mobile devices. While computers may provide a more pleasant viewing experience on a larger screen, some networking and interactive experiences are optimized for the mobile app. It is possible to use both a computer and mobile device simultaneously.
All the sessions will be recorded and available a few days following the event for viewing for 90 days after the live event ends. Registered attendees may sign in to the Whova platform anytime during that window to view the sessions.
Most sessions will include live Q&A with the speakers as well as a chat feature to interact with other attendees. Virtual meet ups will be available for anyone to schedule.
Call 480-868-2466 or submit an inquiry.