JOIN OUR TEAM AS A VOLUNTEER
MEDIA MISSIONARY
YOUR JOURNEY STARTS HERE
Welcome to the home of the Media Missionary volunteer program at LifeStyleTV. The place that gives you the chance to discover God’s full potential for your life and gives you the opportunity to impact millions with the gospel through media ministry.
LifeStyleTV is now teaming up with the General Conference Adventist Volunteer Service to provide opportunities for service in a media ministry with a strong mission and health focus. This is a great opportunity for college graduates who want to get practical on-the-job experience, add an overseas apprentice experience to their CV and spend an unforgettable year in the mission field.
Are you good at what you do? Up for an adventure? Willing to spend a year in service for others?
Then this may be just what you are looking for!!!!
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
You may or may not have a specialized education, specific experience, or a special interest that you really have a burden to work with, but LifeStyleTV is looking for you who are willing to serve God however and wherever you can – to do everything or anything to be of service.
Remember that in the real world and in mission, one will often wear many hats — some we love to wear, while others we just wear because someone has to. If you are willing and able to do that, you just might be who we are looking for! Read on to see some of our opportunities for service.
TV Productions
Productions are the heartbeat of LifeStyleTV. This is where the gospel message is presented. They also offer variety. You can be involved in everything from planning productions, working with lights and electricity, building sets, floor directing, camera work, directing, graphics, editing, illustrating, archiving and more!
Communication/Marketing
Without communication, all the work of production is lost. People won’t watch what they don’t know about. This is where information about the gospel message is shared. You can work with marketing strategies, creative writing, branding, social media and more!
MEDIA - THE GOSPEL SHARED
Graphic Design
If it looks good, more people are likely to investigate further. This is the wrapping paper around the gospel message. You can work with design for print, especially our LifeStyleVIEW magazine, and for TV, as well as assisting with set designs, logos, websites, and more, presenting the whole image of LifeStyleTV.
Web/Database Programming
If it doesn’t work seamlessly, people get lost. Programming supports all the other aspects so the gospel can be smoothly presented. You can work with programming for web, online systems, and the databases that run and store valuable information.
Plant-based Food Service
If it doesn’t taste good, nothing else matters. Preparing delicious, healthful food is one way of practically sharing the gospel. You can assist with preparing vegan, plant-based meals to be served to staff, volunteers and guests, at special events and even in a restaurant. Besides this, there can be cooking for TV-shows and recipe development for the magazine and web. You need a good knowledge of tasty vegan cooking and presentation, as well as food service hygiene and organization.
Personal Trainer/Massage Therapist
When it feels good, people listen. In a world filled with stress and fear, trainers and therapists have a special opportunity to be the hands of the gospel. You can coach guests in lifestyle changes, assist them in carrying out the changes and help them with the pitfalls and challenges that arise. You can also work to relieve muscle tension in guests and help them relax. Volunteers need to have a good understanding of behavior change and motivational techniques, and/or knowledge and experience in relaxation massage.
HOSPITALITY - THE GOSPEL EXPERIENCED
Host/Housekeeper
If it’s not neat and clean, it doesn’t represent the gospel. Service is the gospel in practicality. You can get a chance to meet guests upon arrival, make sure they are comfortable, minister to their physical needs such as cleanliness and order and even serve breakfast. You need to have a service-minded mentality with a warm heart for people and a sense of order and organization.
STORIES TO TELL
I'm thankful for the year I could spend as a
media missionary a LifeStyleTV.
Marianne Rygnestad
Norway
It was a blessing to be part of a faith-based media ministry working with other people who wanted to make a difference through media. It’s a great way to use media skills in missionary work! Even though I haven’t continued in media, I have been able to use the skills I developed in
other ministry settings. (...)
So you are interested in coming to LifeStyleTV, but want to know more?
Where will I live?
Recently, LifeStyleTV purchased a charming youth hostel consisting of three buildings: a main building and two annexes. The two annex buildings, one for males and one for females, have been turned into housing for the Media Missionary volunteers, as well as several single staff. Be prepared to share a room with a new friend.
The hostel is located 3 km (2 miles) from LifeStyleTV’s main building – close enough to be able to walk or bike between the two. On the property there is a 13-hole mini-golf course, grill sites, outdoor games, as well as the start of several hiking trails into the forest. Inside, you will find a sauna and jacuzzi, as well as a lounge for hanging out.
How does the workweek look?
A typical workday at LifeStyleTV begins at 8:30 with worship, seeking God’s guidance and wisdom to do His work. Then follows a short organizational meeting and you are off to your different responsibilities. Lunch is served at 13:30 and you continue working until 18:00. On Fridays you only work until lunch, to give time to prepare for Sabbath. During events and special productions, the schedule may vary from this.
On Sabbath you will get to be involved in the newly formed Värmland church/church plant. As opportunities arise, you will join in community activities seeking to reach and help the neighbors. We believe that this is an integral part of LifeStyleTV and see your involvement as a given.
Lest you get stuck in a rut, there are often events at LifeStyleTV: cooking schools, Christmas markets, health expos, inspiration weekends and more. These are exciting and intense times at LifeStyleTV, with a lot of preparation and energy required to pull these off. But the rewards are great! You will get the privilege of being involved in these events.
What about food?
Plant-based vegan meals are provided for you, but you may need to help with the preparation and clean-up of them.
Where is LifeStyleTV?
LifeStyleTV is located in the rural Värmland district of Sweden, near the city of Arvika. For international travel, the closest major airport is Oslo Gardermoen in Norway, about two hours away. Being in such a rural location gives many opportunities for outdoor activities like hiking, canoeing, swimming, skiing, biking, bird/nature watching and more. However, just because LifeStyleTV is out in the country doesn’t, mean there is nothing to see. Located just a kilometer from the volunteer housing is an outdoor folk museum that hosts large (up to 40.000 people) cultural festivals and craft fairs throughout the year.
MEDIA MISSIONARY LIFE
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
How long does it take to find out if I am accepted?
This depends on the completeness of the information we receive from you and the amount of time that it takes to contact references. But be assured, we will work as quickly as possible.
What is the size of the team?
LifeStyleTV is a small ministry. The team can vary between 8 – 16 people, depending on how
many volunteers are present.
How many hours a day do we spend working?
The average workweek is 40 hours as is standard in Sweden – about 9 hours on Monday – Thursday and a half day on Friday. However, when there are events or other special productions, these hours may change and time-off be given before or after an event to compensate for the extra time worked.
Where will I stay?
There is separate dormitory-style housing for male and female volunteers – bedrooms with
shared bathroom facilities, as well as a shared kitchen. Depending on the number of
volunteers, the rooms can be shared or private.
Is there an application deadline?
If you are outside of EU and Schengen, we encourage you to apply before the end of May to be able to arrive in August. However, contact us directly if you have difficulties with the
deadline.
What is the typical age of people in the program?
Volunteers are typically young adults, but other ages are welcome.
Do I need a visa?
If you are coming from outside of the EU and Schengen then, yes, you will need a visa.
LifeStyleTV will work with you to help in the application process.
Do I need to have a computer?
A computer is not necessary but would be very useful, as would be a good camera.
Can I bring my pet?
No, while we love animals, having a pet while being a volunteer at LifeStyleTV would be
challenging, so they need to stay at home.
During the summer of 2018, LifeStyleTV moved its operations and studio 500 km/300 miles further north in Sweden, with a vision to expand its reach and impact.
THE UNEXPECTED!
William Cowper writes in the lines of one of my favorite hymns, “God moves in a mysterious way, His wonders to perform.” For 14 years, LifeStyleTV has been broadcasting the Three Angels’ Messages to Scandinavia from a tiny little studio in Southern Sweden. During these years we have seen countless miracles, but this is one we had not expected, and weren’t even praying for. We had been praying though, for seven years, to be able to build a new studio. Finally we had the building permit, the funding in hand, and the ground-breaking ceremony had been held. The only thing missing was the signature on the
contract with the building contractors. It was then that the Lord quite unexpectedly drew our attention to a new opportunity — a property with an already existing studio.
As we followed the indications of His mysterious leading step by step, we realized that the Lord had other plans for LifeStyleTV. So instead of building a new studio, we decided to move to Hagegården, a facility with a studio already in place which was the same size as what we had planned to build, and all for about the same price as building. Hagegården is located between Oslo and Stockholm and is nestled in scenic natural surroundings. In addition to the studio, it includes 13 four-star hotel rooms, a conference room and a beautiful cafeteria. All this would have been reason enough to justify a move, but as we learned of the history and original purpose for which Hagegården was built, we realized an even greater plan.
THE MIRACLE STORY
THE BUILDER'S IDEA
“My idea is to help keep artists healthy, so artists can help keep the world healthy.” Håkan Hagegård
AN OPERA SINGER’S VISION
In the mid-1980’s, Håkan Hagegård, a famous Swedish opera singer, had an idea that would form the basis of Hagegården Music Center, which he built and opened in 1992. “My idea is to help keep artists healthy, so artists can help keep the world healthy.” That idea was so unique that The New York Times published an article in 1997 featuring Hagegård’s vision. “As his career flourished, he saw all around him the hazards of his profession: commercialism, loneliness and, ultimately, burnout. During the mid-1980’s, he was inspired by the American psychiatrist Peter Ostwald, who had spearheaded a holistic medical support program for performing artists. ‘He said it was actually physically necessary to slow down,’ Mr. Hagegård said. ‘Your body and brain demand rest in order to produce the chemicals you need to think new thoughts. Otherwise, all you’re doing is rearranging and recycling the same old thoughts.’” (1) With this background, Hagegården Music Center was built. Through the years, many concerts and musical events at Hagegården have drawn large audiences and touched millions through live music broadcasts on SVT (Sweden’s national public television).
For the last ten years, Hagegården was run as a hotel and conference center by other owners. During this time, they did a great job of freshening up the interior and giving it a more modern Scandinavian look, yet tactfully keeping it in line with the original design. A thermal heating system was also installed, drastically lowering the operational cost of the facility.
THE MEETING I WILL NEVER FORGET
Just the idea of moving LifeStyleTV’s whole operation six hours north was quite overwhelming and only after much prayer did we finally contact the realtor. After making an appointment to see the property, we arrived to find the building locked and no one there. The realtor had forgotten to communicate with the owner who was on vacation in Spain, so we walked around outside and peered into the windows. Just as we were driving away, the realtor excitedly called to let us know that the owner had unexpectedly returned a day early and would be there in 5 minutes. As we greeted the owner, he had a puzzled look on his face and inquired, “Where have I met you before?” As it turned out, he and his wife had been watching LifeStyleTV for years and recognized Theresa and I. So right from the beginning God’s providence was evident.
MOVING FORWARD
As the board of LifeStyleTV counselled and prayed, tracing the clear path of providential leading, they concluded that this was indeed God’s will. The whole facility, complete with furnishings, was secured for about one-seventh of its insured value. LifeStyleTV’s acquisition of Hagegården provides a unique opportunity to realize a greater plan by taking the vision and media-expertise of LifeStyleTV, and the history of Hagegården, to create a powerful combination of a Retreat Center and a Media Center. This is a place where guests can find rest for mind and soul, and experience the power of a balanced lifestyle, and where the creativity and ideas for lifestyle resources and TV-programs can be given free rein. It is with a certain humbleness that we have stepped into this magnificent facility with so much history. We wish to build on Hagegården’s past as we look towards the future, envisioning what this place can become through God's blessings and guidance. Our experience in finding this new location and opportunity for LifeStyleTV can best be summarized with the words of the Apostle Paul: “Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.” — Ephesians 3:20-21.
COMMUNITY CENTER AND STUDIO
Hagegården is a place that has been frequented by the public, and the doors are wide open to use this facility as a community center to connect with local people. Since the closest Adventist church is over two hours away, we are now starting a new church plant. Alongside the scattered Adventists from around the large area who have not had a place to worship, this also gives a perfect opportunity for our new neighbors to find a welcoming spiritual fellowship.
Beside the weekly church services, activities include concerts, health expos, cooking classes, Sunday brunches and much more. Hagegården provides many unique opportunities for new types of productions. Some of the new ideas include, music/concerts, programs with a live audience, and reality-style shows.
By Claus Nybo, President of LifeStyleTV
Reference:
1. The New York Times: A Swedish Opera Star Who Is Serious About the Health of Burned-Out Artists, by Cori Ellison – Dec. 14, 1997
