Cybermissions Group Survey

*What potential does the Internet / digital media have for Christian ministry?

The potential for evangelism through the use of internet and digital media is enormous. Internet and digital media has become a part of the everyday life of the modern world -- websites, emails, blogs; the usage of facebook and twitter is on the rise; and the mobile phone is most widely used. If you present a message in the right way, through the right medium, you could potentially touch the life of a stranger halfway across the globe, and reach masses in a “viral” way.

*Have you personally used the Internet for ministry? If so how long have you been doing this? 

Yes, 7-10 years

*What kind/s of online ministry have you been involved in?

I encourage other Christians via email, text or Facebook / social media. It has been an impact to some people over the years.

*What scares you most about the Internet?

Internet pornography is one of the most common activities that pollutes the lives of people today. On any kind of web search, it is just so easy for images that bring temptation, to show up, and draw one away in to the deep end. Thankfully, believers' victories over such addictions and weaknesses have become powerful testimonies to the life-transforming power of Jesus.

*Do you have a favorite Internet story?  A coincidence? A testimony?  Did you personally find Christ online?

My favourite internet story is the re-enactment on the testimony of Khalil, presented in the form of a short movie. Khalil was once a radical Egyptian terrorist, handpicked by his leaders to discredit the Bible. He embarked on his task with vicious intent. Through the malicious process, he actually saw truth in the words of the Bible, and fell in love with the big book. When this was uncovered by his mentor, he was almost killed for his belief that the words of the Bible were right. One day, his Bible was stolen and he was devastated. In his despair, Jesus appeared to him and turned his whole life around.

*What technology/ies have the greatest potential for effective Internet / digital ministry?

Web 2.0. Wikis especially, have the power to define “truth”. When people read wikis, such information become absolutes in their understanding of this world. Christian ministers need to conquer this medium if they really want to make a change in the society.

  

*How can we use the new technology to evangelize the most unreached and most unengaged peoples of the world?

One of the reasons why many people groups are still unreached or unengaged because there is little or no gospel material available in their language. Many of them are also technologically backward, but this presents a unique opportunity. We urgently need to translate as much gospel material as possible, into their languages. So that the moment new technology reaches them, we will have a database of SMS messages, articles, dictionaries, encyclopedias, motion pictures, still images, audio messages, music etc.; all ready to satisfy their appetite for entertainment and information.