“ The interesting thing about Summit TV is that it doesn ’ t have anything to do with audio , video , lighting , or acoustics , which is what we ’ re known for . However , it puts the heart , vision , and values of our culture on display in a way that is difficult for a company like us to otherwise communicate .”
— Max Williams
“ But false allegations are rare ,” she points out . “ They ' re less than five percent of the whole ." Another misconception is that the danger is “ outside the fence .” As Love explains , this highlights the importance of distinguishing between the abduction offender , or “ stranger danger ” — which represents only a small fraction of all abuse instances — and the preferential offender , which represents more than 90 percent . Even so , very few churches ' abuse-prevention efforts are targeted at the preferential offender . “ What every preferential offender needs is trusted time alone with your kid ,” Norris says . “ And the only way you ' re going to give [ that ] is if you believe this person is trustworthy . “ Our society does not protect well against the preferential offender .” Fortunately , as Love points out , once church leaders understand the information surrounding the risk — including being able to identify the preferential offender ’ s grooming process — they can build the right fence . And that ’ s MinistrySafe ’ s mission .
Fortuitous finished products In the end , the story behind In Plain Sight changed a few times before it was final . The original intent was to tell Love & Norris ’ s story — how and why they do sexual abuse work . Before long , it became evident that the issue was much bigger ; the problem within the Church was much deeper ; the challenges to change were higher . “ The ways we were speaking into the challenges covered the waterfront ,” Love explains . “ They got a taste of the
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heartbreak we have experienced representing victims and sharing their heartbreak , which created the motivation to step into the problem : though we desire to do so , we cannot help all of the victims — but we can labor to ensure that children are no longer victimized , especially in our churches .” In spite of these shifts — indeed , maybe because of them — Williams says this type of swayed progression is common and that he couldn ’ t be happier with the outcome .
“ We allow stories to evolve ,” he explains . “ Sometimes we go in with expectations of capturing something specific and end up getting something that ’ s different . “ Our hope in the end is to always serve the story as best as we can ,” he adds . In doing so , Summit TV aims , above all , to help pastors and church leaders tackle tough topics with their church families . In the next few years , one of the difficult topics it addresses might be mental health in the Church . Williams and his team would also like to shoot interviews with influential church leaders . So far , the effect of Summit TV is powerful . “ We hear stories … all the time , thanking us for putting our hearts on display and not being afraid to have tough conversations ,” Williams says . “ My hope is that I ’ m able to impact , influence and inspire creativity in the leaders of those churches . And in turn , they will inspire many in communities all over America .””