It was only a matter of time before a church in some locality would see the potential of using streaming media 24/7 to reach people with the gospel.

That distinction goes to Elevation Church in Charlotte, N.C. with the launch of the Elevation Network, the idea of pastor Steven Furtick.

Through what is mostly likely the first-of-its kind live church-based video platform, Elevation Network will feature the preaching of God’s word round-the-clock.

Network viewers will see the church’s current sermon of the week airing every four hours, past sermons from the archives, creative elements from sermon series, and worship songs created in the church.

The Network will allow the church to stream live events, as it did when they launched the initiative with the live 12-night Code Orange Revival, featuring Craig Groeschel, Matt Chandler, Ed Young, Christine Caine and others.

If the results from the revival are any indication, Elevation Network may be in for some fast growth.

Code Orange Revival recap

Online, the revival was viewed over 350,000 times in 138 countries on six continents by over 130,000 people.

Over 25% of those visits were on mobile devices. Hundreds gave their lives to Christ in Charlotte and online, over 200 were baptized, and hundreds more reached out for prayer and shared stories of life change and salvation from all over the world.

Over 35,000 tweets were sent with the hashtag #CodeOrangeRevival, generating over 12 million impressions on Twitter. Over 9,000 people shared the Elevation Network and the presentation of the Gospel with their friends on their social networks.

Here’s a recap video of the revival.

Potential of streaming media platforms

Elevation Network is just the beginning of an entirely new movement of full-time media outreach on the Web.

What could the Elevation Network mean for church media going forward?

1. Encouraging believers and sparking life change all over the world, through the practical and powerful teaching of the gospel on the Web on a 24/7 basis.
2. Inspiring more churches to innovate to reach as many people as possible using streaming media.
3. Leveraging technology to dramatically increase any church’s ministry platform using video outreach.
4. Stepping beyond just having a content repository and repurposing existing content archives for internet evangelism and discipleship.
5. Building on the legacy of the confident, ambitious, passionate church leaders – past and present – that have been using radio and TV to preach to a mass audience for more than seventy-five years.
6. Partnering with the next generation of internet distribution networks that will help these new streaming media platforms greatly multiply their reach through established media relationships in regional markets.

Love the LORD, all you godly ones! For the LORD protects those who are loyal to him. Psalm 31:23

There’s little doubt that God can use these incredibly powerful technological platforms to change lives. Many leaders will be drawn to their potential.

The rule, the standard, the one touchstone that God uses to measure all man’s great works is Jesus Christ. If these new church media platforms are built in and to the name of Jesus, and to His glory, they will stand approved and be rewarded.