When Harvest Crusade announced the number of people that watched the live streaming webcast of its recent Anaheim outreach event, the ministry joined the ranks of pioneers demonstrating the amazing potential of emerging technologies for evangelism.
Even pastor and evangelist Greg Laurie called it a “mind-blowing stat.”
During the 3-day webcast, online viewers connected a total of 1,303,332 times, almost triple last year’s numbers.
Internet users watched from all 50 states and from 63 countries around the world!
In an interview with the Christian Post, Paul Eaton, who is the pastor of communications and leads the tech team at Harvest, said that the numbers were still being calculated and do not necessarily represent individual viewers.
Nevertheless, Eaton said he is absolutely sure that online evangelism is as strong as ever and is a powerful way to spread the Gospel.
Other stats reported by Harvest:
- 115,000 people attended Harvest in person over three days
- 11,592 people made decisions for Christ
- 250,000 people watched Harvest online over two days (day 3 still being tabulated)
- 27,000 Facebook “likes” on live webcast page
- 12-13 million page views of Harvest Facebook page
Next year, Harvest plans to live stream its events to 10-15 churches, arenas and other venues, according to John Collins, executive crusade director at Harvest.
“Host churches will supplement the high-definition feed with their own worship services and live music, to better connect with local congregants,” Collins told the Riverside Press-Enterprise. “Smaller churches and home Bible study groups will also have access to the live stream, along with online training and planning material,” he said.
Full-time web evangelism ministry is an accelerating movement.
More mind-blowing stats
A pilot project in Tampa Bay, Florida was recently undertaken to determine if Internet evangelism could be hyper-localized.
Working together between January and May 2011… a large web ministry that uses a sophisticated email response system; seven Tampa Bay churches with local online missionary communities; a local Christian radio station; and, a consortium of local business leaders have:
- Leveraged Internet advertising and cooperative marketing
- Exposed 34,495 individuals to a clear gospel presentation from seekers originating from the Tampa metro area
- Recorded over 4,914 indicated decisions for Christ
- Received submitted information from 1,097 people, who were then contacted by a local online missionary
- Engaged in 3,295 conversations with these seekers
Three reasons you should engage in online evangelism
1. It is where the people are. The average young American now spends practically every waking minute — except for the time in school — using a smart phone, computer, television or other electronic device, according to a study from the Kaiser Family Foundation. Those ages 8 to 18 spend more than seven and a half hours a day with such devices, compared with less than six and a half hours five years ago.
2. More people can be reached. Full-time online ministry, and the interactive nature of the Web, gives preachers and evangelists a way to share the gospel with people who will never step foot in a church. Harvest reports they have reached more people in just the last three years of live webcasting than they have reached in 22 years of crusades.
3. Talk directly with the people. Pre-recorded segments from speakers, leaders, guests and others can be customized for online viewers and even localized using geolocation technologies. And, you can always talk to people “live” when the occasion warrants.
Developments in technology have made it a much more feasible proposition to integrate live response and live webcast outreach strategies into media ministry than in previous years.
But, as with any full-time ministry, it takes time to develop people, systems, and processes. As in times past, God has raised up examples to inspire those willing to follow their lead.
Expect great things from God, Attempt great things for God. William Carey
Leading by example
Gospel trailblazers have been pioneering the use of electronic media since the introduction of radio in the 1920’s.
Greg Laurie, Harvest and others are showing by example that Web 3.0 encompasses far-reaching possibilities for helping people know and experience a personal relationship with God in the 21st century.
Imagine how much more could be accomplished if hundreds of organizations follow their example, come together all across the country, and join God’s army spreading the gospel online.