{"id":110357,"date":"2020-07-13T10:55:16","date_gmt":"2020-07-13T09:55:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bcc.no\/how-france-follows-the-summer-conference-online\/"},"modified":"2025-01-30T11:46:10","modified_gmt":"2025-01-30T10:46:10","slug":"how-france-follows-the-summer-conference-online","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bcc.no\/en\/how-france-follows-the-summer-conference-online\/","title":{"rendered":"How France follows the summer conference online"},"content":{"rendered":"

\u201cThis year our travel plans were cancelled completely, so we are glad for a second-best alternative: following the meetings from home,\u201d says Ingunn Sundmark Tombre, who lives in Nancy, France. Because of presentations submitted from around the world, this online conference has had a strong sense of community.<\/h3>\n

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By Ulrikke Andresen – Photo by Anne-Sophie Tombre<\/em><\/p>\n

BCC\u2019s virtual summer event continues during the coming week. So far there have been three faith-strengthening meetings for adults, informational broadcasts, a children\u2019s meeting and a youth meeting.<\/p>\n

Blinking lights on the world map in the studio indicate where BCC\u2019s app is in use. The lights flicker in just about every corner of the world. One of those following along from home is Ingunn Tombre, from Nancy in the eastern part of France.<\/p>\n

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Ingunn Sundmark Tombre<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

She is Norwegian but has lived in France since she met her husband Harald while studying here. They have been married for almost 30 years now, and she feels almost French.<\/p>\n

Nevertheless, one steady and important part of her life has been the summer conferences in Norway, which she has attended since a child. After she and her husband had their own children, they continued to make one of BCC\u2019s two summer conferences a priority every year. However this year was different. The whole summer period will most likely be spent at home in France. Given the corona situation, it is difficult to gather locally and to travel.<\/p>\n

\u201cSome families get together for sure, but in very limited numbers. The situation right now makes us extremely thankful for the broadcasts from BCC which come straight into our living rooms. I sense the same message and blessing in the meetings, even through a screen,\u201d Ingunn continues.<\/p>\n

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READ MORE: A different summer: BCC’s online conference has started<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

Employees and volunteers working together<\/h3>\n

When BCC had to cancel the Easter conference for some 11,000 registered attendees, its media division made a huge commitment to create an online alternative. Using interactive platforms, the conference could reach many thousand participants around the world in their homes.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is impressive, all the work that\u2019s been done so that people around the world can partake of the gospel. Hats off to everyone who has worked tirelessly to innovate and improve an online experience,\u201d says Ingunn.<\/p>\n

\u201cBCC\u2019s conferences have meant so much for me and my family. Being physically present is of course the best, but this is clearly the next-best solution, when the situation is the way it is. The broadcasts are translated to French locally, but I prefer to listen in Norwegian. I think it is extra good to listen to the meetings in my mother tongue.\u201d<\/p>\n

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Harald Tombre translates the broadcast in realtime from his office in France. BCC\u2019s broadcasts are translated to about 20 languages in total. Photo: BCC<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

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During the event, a considerable number of volunteers contribute content, in addition to staff who work on different elements of the program. The broadcasts are translated to approximately 20 languages and are uniquely characterized by widespread participation and enthusiasm from around the world.<\/p>\n

BKM Nancy is one of many churches which have contributed productions to the summer program, giving viewers a taste of their local church life.<\/p>\n