When was the last time you shared the origin story of your church or ministry?
At Cooke Media Group, we believe that every ministry, nonprofit, and leader has a powerful story worth telling. As a leading production company in faith-based media, we help ministries and nonprofits share their origin stories in ways that inspire, connect, and build lasting impact.
In this article, media producer Phil Cooke offers inspiration to help you tell the story of how it all began— those defining moments that launched your ministry, sparked your mission, or transformed yours or another’s life.
Why Your Origin Story Matters
Recently I was reminded of an incident many years ago when I was directing the national television ministry for the university founder, Oral Roberts.
Often when Oral would preach, he would tell the story of his dramatic healing of tuberculosis when he was a young man. Back in those days, there were few treatments, so Oral’s case was considered terminal. I’ll save you the details, but needless to say, his struggle and eventual healing made a powerful and compelling story – a story he was always ready to tell.
But he told the story over and over – so much that frankly, I got tired of hearing it. I actually pulled him aside one day and said, “Oral, give the TB story a rest. People are tired of hearing about it.”
Fortunately, he ignored me, and it was years later before I realized that I was a complete idiot.
Your Story Brands Your Ministry
What I eventually learned as a media producer was his “origin story” – the story of how God healed him and eventually launched him into ministry – became the cornerstone of his brand story – and his entire ministry.
When people heard that story, they realized that if God could do that for Oral, he could do it for them. It inspired a generation of men and women to reconsider faith in a God who still worked miracles.
Since that time, I’ve seen the power and impact of origin stories over and over. As a Christian production company, my team at Cooke Media Group has been privileged to help pastors, ministry and nonprofit leaders share their origin stories in impactful ways as short-form videos and feature-length documentaries.
People are simply fascinated by how people launched a company, founded a nonprofit, or started a great church. People never tire of discovering what turned someone’s life around, turned them away from drugs or alcohol, or changed the direction of their life.
The Power of Story
You see it everywhere you look. When it comes to collecting comic books, the origin stories of super heroes are often the most valuable. It’s the reason so many people meet business leaders and ask, “How did you get your start?”
Biographies and memoirs are the #1 selling category of hardcover books on Amazon. Biography is so popular that it’s expanded way beyond books.
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Along with documentary films, a staple of Hollywood are feature films based on the lives of famous people. That popularity has led to the growth of TV channels dedicated to biography, including A&E, The Biography Channel, and The History Channel.
It’s also become a cornerstone of recovery programs.
Heroes in Recovery contributor Nadine Herring has seen the great power of storytelling. In sharing her story, she comments that, “it allows people who have been suffering in silence to step forward and ask for help.”
Herring adds, “There’s something about reading or hearing about someone who has gone through what you’re going through and making it to the other side that lets you know that it is possible, you’re not alone, and there is help for you if you want it.”
It’s Time to Share Your Origin Story
The lesson? It’s time to start sharing your origin story. If you have a message that needs to be told, how you got started is a great place to begin.
If you want to share your faith with a friend, tell them how you met God. If you are advertising a business, or promoting your nonprofit or church, make the origin story a key part of the strategy.
And don’t be afraid of telling it over and over again. People working with you may get sick of hearing it like I did with Oral Roberts. But for those on the outside, there’s nothing quite as compelling or inspiring.
If you’re ready to bring your origin story to life and share it with the world, Cooke Media Group is here to help. As a seasoned Christian production company, we specialize in crafting compelling, faith-driven content that resonates with your audience. Contact our team here or email info@cookemediagroup.com
Phil Cooke, PhD. has been called “one of the most innovative communicators of our generation.” As a media producer, writer, speaker, and consultant, his client list includes major film studios and TV networks as well as major Christian organizations like Voice of the Martyrs, The Museum of the Bible, The Salvation Army, and others. He’s also coached and consulted with many of the most influential churches and nonprofit organizations in the world, helping them use media to tell their story. This blog first appeared on PhilCooke.com.