On a trip to Houston, I met Patty Shull, a staff representative and online missionary for Global Media Outreach (GMO). GMO is a ministry of Campus Crusade for Christ presenting the gospel online 24/7.
Internet evangelism, or evangelism without borders, is gaining ground as strategy for building the Church globally.
Patty gave me the opportunity to experience online evangelism live for the first time.
We met in the cafe of a Marriott near the Astrodome. WiFi made it possible for Patty to log into her network. Four email contacts were waiting. GMO’s online missionaries may respond to as few as 1-2 emails per week or 1-2 per day.
Meet Ellie
One of Patty’s emails was from Ellie in Arlington, TX. After visiting a GMO website, Ellie reached out to Patty to ask, “Are Jesus and God the same?” Right to the heart of it, I thought. Patty had been through GMO’s extensive online training process. She was ready. After giving Ellie a warm greeting, Patty answered her question with an elegantly simple metaphor.
Most exciting, was seeing Ellie’s indication that she had prayed to receive Christ. Patty asked if I would like to pray for Ellie. I know there’s a lot of talk about whether online ministry is real and personal. Well, joining Patty in prayer for Ellie sure felt real and personal. Patty said she would follow-up with Ellie again later.
World-wide ministry
In 2009, 66 million people like Ellie visited GMO’s 100-plus Web sites to search for information online about Jesus and the hope He brings. Of these, more than 10 million indicated a decision to follow Christ.
In addition, nearly 2 million people initiated discipleship and requested more information about Jesus and Christianity through GMO’s 4,000 online missionaries.
GMO has compiled some of the riveting responses, they’ve received from searching people, in their book, “Where The Search Leads To Life, Jesus 2020.”
“I go round in circles with God because I have had severe rejection from people and Christians, and felt traumatized with my Dad coming and going over the years. I find it hard to know deep in my spirit that Father God sincerely truly loves me unconditionally, and will never leave me or forsake me. Please help me and love me, and e-mail me.” Joanna, Cornwall, UK
“I am surrounded by Muslims who will kill me if they find out that I pray prayers on your website and ask Jesus into my life. Please pray for me. I do not know a single Christian. You are my only contact.” Male, Afghanistan
“I am a disabled Marine, wounded in Iraq, and I want to get right with God. Can you send me anything that will help me get to know Jesus? I would be thankful.” U.S. Military Veteran
Your invitation
Building off of the 2009 momentum, GMO is poised to touch even more people’s lives throughout 2010.
The fields are indeed white to harvest, yet the laborers are few.We need more online missionary partners.
Walt Wilson, GMO Founder & Chairman
The first step of getting involved is always the hardest. Here’s five reasons to take that step toward online missions:
1. GMO believes the Great Commission can be fulfilled by 2020 and that it can happen in this generation through the use of emerging communication technologies. Getting the details on how this mission can be accomplished is worth the investment of time, in my view.
2. It’s going to take thousands of churches, online missionaries and ministry supporters working together to accomplish this goal. God may be calling you to get involved.
3. The cost of the program is minimal. For only ten cents, the gospel can be shared online to each person. Each dollar presents the gospel to 10 more seekers. Your church determines the size and extent of your involvement in this Great Commission effort.
4. GMO can help you encourage, train and equip your congregation to share Jesus with others online and more consistently in your own communities.
5. I’ve been thinking about Ellie and my new missionary friend Patty, ever since taking that first trip to the online mission field. The experience was transformative. I’ve decided to do what I can to help GMO as they stay on the cutting edge of emerging technologies, using them to reach the world for Christ. It would be great to partner with you.
Question: What do you think of the idea of an online missions program?