A First for the Internet

Why do so few Christians use the Internet for evangelism? The Internet Evangelism Coalition is endorsing a worldwide focus day in 2005, to help churches and Christian groups understand the outreach potential that the Web offers them.

Internet Evangelism Day is on 24 April 2005. Many churches and other Christian organizations are planning a slot in their programs that day to focus on web outreach. Downloadable resources are available on the IE Day website for this purpose: www.InternetEvangelismDay.com

Dr Sterling Huston, chair of the Internet Evangelism Coalition, says, “The Internet offers churches, Christian organizations and individuals an amazing and rapidly expanding opportunity to share the ‘Good News’ of the gospel with a world in need. I pray that Internet Evangelism Day will inspire many more to utilize this dynamic media to extend and enlarge their witness for Christ.”

This is purely a ‘web evangelism awareness day’ – there is no fund-raising element. Many churches and other Christian groups are already planning to include a short program within church services and other meetings, on or near 24 April.

“Our church just started a website and we think that this will give us an opportunity to take it to another level,” says a church in St Louis, Missouri.

The team hopes for a range of outcomes. High on their list is that churches will create effective websites which can reach out into the community, rather than just be an online noticeboard for members. “It’s an exciting challenge,” says IE Day Co-ordinator Tony Whittaker. “The potential of the Web is enormous.”

Other leaders share his enthusiasm. “The Internet is one of the most key tools that God has given us in the church today,” writes George Verwer, founder of Operation Mobilization.
“I am excited to see how God will reveal Himself in mighty ways through the uniqueness of cyberspace,” comments Dr. David Tucker of Trans World Radio.

IE Day is endorsed internationally by a wide range of organizations and denominations. For more news of Internet Evangelism Day, visit www.InternetEvangelismDay.com