EPA 2023: International Flair and Local Flavor

EPA 2023, held April 12-14 in Lancaster, Penn., had a strong international component thanks to attendees from around the world, a pair of morning forums offering multicultural voices, and speakers with cross-culture platforms. Such international focus reflected the topic of unity, EPA’s 2022 Cause of the Year.

“We love that so many participants came from around the globe,” said EPA executive director Lamar Keener. “As Christians, our goal is unity through diversity, and our convention this year reflected that.”

The convention, held at the Lancaster Marriott at Penn Square, featured 44 speakers, 205 attendees, 75 of whom were first-time attendees. EPA’s 75th anniversary celebration was in full swing at the three-day event, complete with birthday cake and the inaugural Terry White Lifetime Achievement Award, presented to White, who has attended more EPA conventions than anyone in the organization’s three-quarters of a century. 

The first recipients of the award were Magazine Training International founder and president Sharon Mumper, who was unable to attend, and Joyce K. Ellis, author of this publication’s Spring 2023 story on White titled “Mr. EPA: Terry White reflects on his 55 years in EPA.” 

“The award was amazing enough, but the fact that it’s named for Terry, who has been one of my writing mentors since the 1970s made it even more precious,” said Ellis.

For Ellis, EPA offers great “continuing education” opportunities, with events such as this year’s Sight and Sound production of Moses and the Museum of the Bible tour what she calls “a delight.”

“They also offer occasions—frequently on the bus ride to and from the outings—for getting to know new friends and for deepening friendships with editors and freelancers I’ve come to know and love over the years. Bottom line: EPA builds me up,” said Ellis.

International guests

Tomáš Coufal of the Czech Republic was in the United States for the first time to attend EPA. As editor in chief of Zivot Viry, an interdenominational and evangelical magazine in central and eastern Europe, he participated on the panel “A Global Snapshot of Christian Media.”

“EPA is a great place to connect with people. It’s encouraging to see what others are doing, and EPA is a chance to learn from professionals, check the trends and get some inspiration,” said Coufal, who describes evangelicals as just 0.2 percent of the population in his home country yet his magazine has been in operation for 30 years. “I strongly believe in the power of collaboration.”

Morning forums also brought international guests to EPA. On Thursday, British journalist Julia Bicknell interviewed Naghmeh Panahi and Miriam Ibraheem, cofounders of Tahir Alnisa (“Setting Women Free”) Foundation, on the topic “Overcoming Domestic Abuse and Religious Oppression.” Panahi advocated for her husband’s release from an Iranian prison, then filed for divorce due to his domestic abuse. Ibraheem is a Sudanese Christian imprisoned for her faith, who later gave birth to her daughter in a prison cell.

Friday’s forum featured Lorri Bentch of Eastern Mennonite Missions talking with three Lancaster-based refugees—Menuka Tamang from Bhutan, Mary Myint from Myanmar, and Rwamucyo Karekezi from Congo—about their stories of leaving their native countries and settling in America.

For Surinder Kaur, South Asia editor for Christianity Today who lives in India, this year’s EPA was her second time in the United States. Her role is to propose and pitch stories focused on India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka for CT’s print and online publications. 

“All these writers coming together under one roof is amazing. In India we don’t have these opportunities at all, we rarely have the chance to meet tougher, learn from each other and network,” said Kaur, who has worked for CT for a year. “It’s good to know the latest trends and how we can upgrade ourselves regarding the latest things happening.”

First-time attendee Jillian Schneider, staff writer for The Lion, the publishing arm of the Herzog Foundation, said “It’s exciting to see so many publications, churches, nonprofits, and journalists all in one place. Being here makes me think about my own writing and think deeply about issues and ideas,” she said. 

Workshop sessions

Workshop sessions were wide-ranging, with choices for designers such as “Design: Global Trends and Local Culture” with Rick Szuecs, a part-time designer for CT based in Brazil; for digital managers such as “Top 10 Ideas for Adding Video to Your Digital Strategy” with Tami Devine of Divine Family Entertainment; and for writers and managers via Religion News Service editor Bob Smietana’s “Reorganized Religion: The Reshaping of the American Church.”

Jason Goff, who connects business leaders with the digital world, encouraged attendees to Identify, Simplify and Amplify in “Optimizing Your Social Media Strategy.” He encouraged listeners to identify the three things influencing the people paying attention to your and your product, simplify how you can alleviate your target audience’s suffering in big and small ways, and amplify that message through appropriate social media channels.

“Learn to think like a strategist first,” Goff said, “and emphasize quality over quantity when reaching your audience.”

Tim Morgan, longtime journalist and now teaching professor in journalism, media theory and writing at Gordon College, taught the workshop “Writing for Social Change.”

“Journalism doesn’t tell us what to think—it tells us how to think about,” said Morgan. “You have to touch the reader before you can move the reader.”

Attendees were also treated to musical performances by Mackenzie Paige, a recording artist who lives in the Lancaster area. Her opening set was so popular that she returned for a second on Friday night, preceding the closing evening’s keynote presentation by Dimas Salaberrios, a former drug dealer turned film producer and author.

Local extras

The Lancaster convention was unique with multiple off-site activities that offered an immersive experience in the Lancaster County culture.

Early arrivals were treated to a tour and service project at the Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) Resource Center in nearby Ephrata.

Attendees were offered complimentary tickets by convention sponsor Sight & Sound Theatre for a  matinee performance of MOSES. Many of them went on to enjoy a Pennsylvania Dutch smorgasbord dinner, complete with shoofly pie, at Miller’s Restaurant.

Following the close of the convention, a busload of attendees was taken to Washington, D.C. to tour the Museum of the Bible which was the Title Sponsor of the convention.

2024 convention announced

The 2024 EPA Convention will take place April 21-23 at The Campbell House in Lexington, Kentucky. The convention will include an optional post-convention day trip to the Ark Encounter, sponsored by Answers in Genesis.

By Ann Byle

Ann Byle is a freelance writer for local and national magazines including Liaison, as well as author of the e-book with fellow EPA freelancers “The Joy of Working At Home: Embracing the Freedom, Avoiding the Pitfalls” (2020). She is also author of “The Baker Book House Story,” “The Revell Story: Offering Hope and Help to Readers for 150 Years,” and the May 2023 release “Chicken Scratch: Lessons on Living Creatively from a Flock of Hens.”

Posted June 7, 2023