Sound Boards
- Behringer Wing — Full SizeTop-tier features and flexibility for the price.
- Behringer Wing CompactSame features, smaller footprint.
- Yamaha TF1–TF5Good quality, but simpler and less feature-rich for the price.
Communication Department
Department Responsibilities
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Produces articles and curates news content for the Union Outlook Monthly Magazine, ensuring our conference stories reach the broader Seventh-day Adventist community
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Develops engaging content that highlights ministry activities and events throughout the Conference, sharing stories of faith in action across Iowa and Missouri
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Collaborates with all Conference departments to maintain consistent branding standards, ensuring our visual identity reflects our mission and values
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Oversees Conference social media platforms and maintains current website content, keeping our community informed and connected through digital channels
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Develops and integrates video content across all communication platforms, expanding our reach through dynamic multimedia storytelling
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Facilitates ongoing connection and communication among Conference members, strengthening our church community through effective information sharing
Latest Videos
Church Media Help
Useful Resources
Recommended tools, hardware, software, graphics, and audio resources for churches.
Hardware & Production
AV Hardware & Production Guide
A starting point for common church purchasing decisions in audio, video, lighting, production computers, and displays.
Before You Buy
Please contact us before purchasing. We may be able to help you choose the right option and access non-profit pricing through B&H Photo Video, typically 15%–20% off MSRP, sometimes more.
Audio Equipment
Stage Boxes
- Behringer SD1616 inputs and 8 outputs.
- Behringer SD88 inputs and 8 outputs.
- Yamaha Tio1608-D2Required stage box option for Yamaha systems.
Microphones
- Shure SLX-DBest wireless microphone system.
- Sennheiser EW-D 835-SGood second option.
- Shure SM57-LCBest wired instrument microphone.
- RODE NTG2 ShotgunBest choir, room, audience, or piano pickup option.
Speakers
- QSC LA 108Best installed sound option for larger churches.
- QSC K12.2Portable and also good for smaller church installations.
- JBL EON712 / EON715Affordable option that still performs well.
Video Equipment
Video Switcher
- Blackmagic Design ATEM Mini ExtremeGreat for livestreaming and recording.
Cameras
- Canon Vixia G70Easier to use, though the sensor is not as strong as cinema options.
- Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera 4KBest image quality option, but requires buying a lens.
- Canon PTZ CR-N300 / CR-N500Higher-end PTZ camera options.
- PTZOptics Move SE 20xGood PTZ option for simple controlled camera setups.
Tripods
- SmallRig AD-50Best budget option with a fluid head.
- SmallRig FreeBlazerTaller option.
Lighting
- CHAUVET DJ EVE P-140Best white/key light for the price.
- CHAUVET DJ COREpar Q60 ILSBest color light for the price.
Production Computer & Displays
Graphics Computer
- Apple Mac mini M416GB RAM and 256GB storage. Excellent price and performance for ProPresenter and livestream use.
Monitor
- 1440p MonitorRecommended, though any 27-inch 1080p monitor is fine. LG and Acer often have affordable options.
Projectors
- Epson PowerLite L890EHigh brightness, 8K lumens, and true 4K.
- ViewSonic LS740HDBest value option, 5K lumens, Full HD.
TVs
- Hisense U7 SeriesAvailable in multiple sizes up to 100 inches.
- Hisense QD7 SeriesSimilar option depending on availability and pricing.
Music Licensing
Audio Resources for Churches
Recommended music resources for worship services, videos, social media, and church content.
Subscription Note
Some options are free and some are paid. For paid options, please email us first because the conference may already have access.
Free Music
- YouTube Audio LibraryFree music and sound effects for videos and presentations.
- Free Music ArchiveCurated royalty-free and Creative Commons music collection.
Paid Music
- SoundstripeRoyalty-free music and sound effects for video production.
- Artlist.ioHigh-quality curated music library with simple creator licensing.
Design & Backgrounds
Graphic & Background Resources for Churches
Recommended design resources for worship visuals, social media, print materials, and sermon graphics.
Subscription Note
For paid options, email us first. The conference may already have a subscription that can be used for your project.
Adventist-Specific
- Adventist Hymnal Text FilesPre-formatted hymnal text files and utilities for presentation software.
- NAD BrandingNorth American Division branding guidelines and assets.
- Adventist Identity GuidelinesGeneral Adventist identity, logo, and design system guidance.
Free Graphics
- DaFontFree fonts for graphics and print materials.
- Church Motion Graphics FreeFree motion backgrounds and worship visuals.
- UnsplashHigh-quality free photography.
- Freepik FreeFree vectors, photos, and design assets.
Paid Graphics
- Envato ElementsGraphics, templates, video, and audio.
- ProContent by Renewed VisionPremium ProPresenter worship media.
- Igniter MediaChurch video illustrations, countdowns, worship media, and design assets.
- Motion ArrayTemplates, stock footage, music, and graphics.
- Adobe StockProfessional stock photos, vectors, and videos.
- Freepik ProPremium vectors, photos, and templates.
- 123RFAffordable stock photos, vectors, videos, and audio.
Media & Content Tools
Software for Church Communication Teams
Recommended tools for graphic design, video editing, livestreaming, audio production, social media, file sharing, and content planning.
Contact the Conference First
Many software companies provide free nonprofit plans or substantial discounts. Before creating an account or purchasing a subscription, contact the Iowa-Missouri Conference so we can help with eligibility, documentation, and the correct account setup.
How Nonprofit Software Access Works
Verification Documents
Local churches participate through the denomination’s IRS group tax-exempt status while also having their own EIN. The conference can provide documentation confirming the church’s nonprofit affiliation when a software provider requests verification.
Use the Church’s Own Account
Software should normally be registered under the local church’s legal name, EIN, official email address, and church-controlled administrator account. Do not register under the conference’s software account unless the conference specifically directs you to do so.
Best Free Nonprofit Tools for Content Creation
Canva for Nonprofits
Free premium design and collaboration tools for eligible nonprofits. Create social posts, flyers, newsletters, presentations, videos, signs, and print materials while keeping church branding consistent.
Adobe Express Premium for Nonprofits
Free for qualified nonprofits. Useful for social graphics, short videos, flyers, resizing content, basic PDF editing, and scheduling posts across multiple social platforms.
Google Workspace for Nonprofits
A no-cost nonprofit edition with church-domain email, Drive, Docs, Sheets, Slides, Forms, Calendar, Meet, and shared folders for media files, content calendars, and communication-team collaboration.
TechSoup
A nonprofit technology marketplace and verification resource. Qualified organizations may find discounted Adobe Creative Cloud, Acrobat, and other professional software. Eligibility varies by product.
Creative Software & Media Workflow
These are the most useful tools for church communication directors, media volunteers, livestream teams, photographers, and content creators.
Graphic Design & Branding
- Canva for Nonprofits Free premium templates, brand kits, team collaboration, background removal, resizing, social graphics, presentations, flyers, and print designs.
- Adobe Express Premium Free for qualified nonprofits and especially useful for quick social posts, short videos, branded templates, scheduling, and PDF edits.
- Affinity Professional photo editing, vector design, and page-layout tools for more advanced graphics, newsletters, and printed materials.
- Photopea Browser-based image editor that can open PSD files and handle quick edits without installing desktop software.
Video Editing & Motion
- DaVinci Resolve Professional free video editor with editing, color correction, motion graphics, visual effects, and audio tools for sermons, testimonies, announcements, and promotional videos.
- Adobe Creative Cloud through TechSoup Qualified nonprofits may receive discounted access to professional tools such as Premiere Pro, After Effects, Photoshop, Illustrator, Lightroom, and Acrobat.
- HandBrake Free tool for compressing and converting large video files before uploading, archiving, or sharing them.
Livestreaming & Worship Presentation
- OBS Studio Free, open-source software for livestreaming and recording church services, programs, interviews, and special events.
- ProPresenter Presentation software for lyrics, scripture, sermon points, announcements, stage displays, and livestream graphics.
- YouTube Studio Free tools for uploading, scheduling, organizing, captioning, analyzing, and managing church videos and livestreams.
Audio, Sermons & Podcasts
- Audacity Free audio editor for sermon recordings, podcasts, voiceovers, interviews, noise reduction, and basic audio cleanup.
- Fairlight in DaVinci Resolve Included in DaVinci Resolve for more advanced audio mixing, sound repair, voice processing, and video post-production.
- YouTube Audio Library Free music and sound effects for videos. Always review the license and attribution requirements for each track.
Social Media & Publishing
- Meta Business Suite Free scheduling, inbox management, insights, and publishing for church Facebook and Instagram accounts.
- Canva Content Planner Included with Canva for Nonprofits for designing and scheduling approved content from one workspace.
- Adobe Express Scheduler Included with eligible Adobe Express nonprofit access for creating, resizing, and scheduling social content.
- Buffer Free A simple option for planning and scheduling a limited number of social channels and posts.
File Sharing & Team Collaboration
- Google Workspace for Nonprofits Shared Drive folders, church-domain email, calendars, forms, documents, and team collaboration for communication ministries.
- Microsoft 365 for Nonprofits Grants and discounts may be available for Outlook, OneDrive, SharePoint, Teams, Word, PowerPoint, and other collaboration tools.
- Google Drive / OneDrive Keep logos, photos, finished graphics, videos, templates, and communication records in church-owned shared folders rather than personal accounts.
Content Planning & Approvals
- Trello Free Visual boards for content ideas, upcoming events, assignments, approval status, and publishing deadlines.
- Notion Shared content calendars, campaign plans, brand instructions, procedures, meeting notes, and communication-team resources.
- Google Calendar + Google Sheets A simple free workflow for tracking events, due dates, content requests, publishing schedules, and volunteer assignments.
Account Ownership & Security
- Use Church-Owned Accounts Create software, social media, video, and cloud-storage accounts with official church email addresses—not a volunteer’s personal email.
- Enable Multi-Factor Authentication Protect Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, Canva, Adobe, email, website, cloud-storage, and livestream administrator accounts.
- Bitwarden or 1Password Use a password manager to securely share ministry logins without sending passwords through email, text, or printed notes.
Caleb Durant
Communication Director
Meet the Director
I would love to hear from you. Please send me an email below. Sharing a news article or story with the public is even better.
