Two speakers invited journalists to pause and pray about times of global unrest during a small, intimate gathering during MediaFest 25.
Led by Naomi Balk, assistant director of World News Group and the World Journalism Institute in Grand Rapids, Mich., and Laura Janelle Downey, executive editor of Atlanta-based WebMD Magazine, offered a moment of quiet reflection amid the fast pace of journalism.
The program began with a reminder to “open your hearts,” led by Balk. Attendees were encouraged to slow down and pray together regardless of their faith. Downey led a devotional, followed by individual and group prayer sessions focused on personal, professional and global needs.
The purpose of the session was to create a space for people to come together and invite God to be working in the world, Balk explained. “We see so much brokenness,” she said. “There’s a hurry that comes just from being a journalist and even being at this conference.”
Downey’s devotional drew from Matthew 17:20, that focuses on comparing growing faith like a mustard seed. She reflected on how people’s busy lives can fragment attention and weaken faith, and encouraged journalists to find strength in stillness.
“I saw the session on the program and I thought it would be the perfect point in my life after just getting my masters in ministry,” Downey said. “I reached out through a friend and that’s how I met Naomi. We only met in person for the first time today.”
Downey said she hopes to remind journalists that peace is still possible in a chaotic world.
“I hope people can walk away saying, ‘I’m empowered,’ knowing there’s a community of people who believe like I believe,” Downey said. “Even when you don’t think he is, God is with you in all these moments.”
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