Arizona-based AV & Lighting integrator 5 Words Media (5WM), which launched #FreeChurchAV in 2019 as a contest for a deserving church to win free sound and lighting systems valued up to $200,000, has announced that season 3 is underway with a record number of entrants. Key Silver Sponsors of #FreeChurchAV include RF Venue, Shure, Marshall and Allen & Heath.
“When I started 5 Words Media almost 10 years ago, we set out to create an AV & Lighting integrator that ministered to the local church in a profound and impactful way,” says Daniel Gourley (5WM). “5WM has created an amazing and christ-centered process that provides solutions for churches each and every day. This heartfelt approach can not be shown more directly than with the creation of #FreeChurchAV where we reward one deserving church with the opportunity to start fresh, build new and enhance their ministry’s message through advanced media technology.”
Season 1 winners Hope Church in Danville, VA were awarded new systems featuring video and lighting gear from manufacturers such as Coda Audio, Elation Lighting, Roland Video, THOR: AV and Marshall. Season 2 went to Ohana Baptist Church in Honolulu, HI, which edged out more than 900 total applicants for the honors, with part of its prize package included an Allen & Heath SQ Series console, sporting the latest 96 kHz XCVI core processing. Specifically, Ohana has paired up an SQ-5 at broadcast along with an SQ-6 at FOH together with a duo of DX168 16 XLR input/8 XLR output 96 kHz portable DX expanders in its system.
“We’ve been honored to be a part of the great work 5 Words Media is up to in their #FreeChurchAV contest,” notes Jeff Hawley, Allen & Heath USA marketing director. “Daniel and the team are pros and the sort of expertise and creativity they demonstrate in system designs for audio and video and lighting rigs is amazing. It has been a real pleasure to see the video reactions of the winning churches as they step up to new heights of technical capabilities with the winning gear package. We are rooting for the entrants in Season 3 and can’t wait to see who nabs the win next time around.”
Go here for more details about #FreeChurchAV and to enter.
