Rev. Dave Hackett, Associate Director, visionSynergy: Many ministries around the world are now developing internet evangelism initiatives tailored in many languages beyond English. Dave Hackett of visionSynergy reported on the potential of this development, and described early (and next) steps to form an international internet evangelism network following interest generated by the IEC, the Global Christian Internet Alliance, and others for the networking of those using the Internet for evangelism beyond English.

INTERNATIONAL INTERNET EVANGELISM NETWORK

A new collaborative project between the IEC and visionSynergy was announced at the meeting.  The new effort establishes an international network of Internet evangelism pioneers who are creating websites focused on the non-English speaking world. David Hackett, Associate Director of visionSynergy, says the purpose of the new International Internet Evangelism Network (IIEN) is to create a networked community of Internet evangelism practitioners “who can share what they are learning, avoid duplication of effort, and give encouragement to each other.”  Hackett added that visionSynergy believes the IIEN will significantly increase the growth and effectiveness of existing and new online evangelism efforts.

visionSynergy has extensive experience in creating mission networks and mission partnerships between churches, agencies and organizations to advance global evangelization, especially among unreached people groups.  The ministry hosts a networking resource site – www.powerofconnecting.net.

View Dave's presentation here. (due to the size of this file it may take a while to open)

Allan Beeber, Director, WorldLINC: Allan had an update on a new Ministry Response Center.

Allan explained the potential of a new Ministry Response Center called ARC/ASSIST and the opportunities it offers for evangelism.

Beeber also emphasized the importance of each ministry online developing a Privacy Policy and a Terms and Conditions of Use policy, and gave examples of what they are currently using.

Thomas C. McThenia, Jr., Legal Counsel and President’s Staff, Campus Crusade for Christ: As organizations turn to the Internet as a tool and medium for evangelism and discipleship, they face legal challenges and pitfalls in a quickly developing and changing legal landscape.  Creators, users and distributors of Internet content and media have intellectual property rights that must be considered when conducting Internet Ministry.  Internet ministry participants, whether they be ministry volunteers or participants, are covered by legislation and regulation such as data privacy laws.  Internet Ministries also must weave through legal aspects of the technical aspects of Internet ministry such as web hosting, software development and licensing, responsibilities of ISPs and distributors of peer-to-peer software.  Further, Internet Ministries face potential threats such as cyber squatting, cloning, framing and many other destructive practices, which require legal action to prevent or stop.  All of this is complicated by the intangible nature of the rights and environment of cyberspace that crosses traditional legal and national boundaries.  Mr. McThenia addressed key issues across these areas as well as trends affecting the ability and manner of Internet evangelism and discipleship.  Time was taken for audience participation and questions.

INTERNET LEGAL ISSUES
Tom McThenia, Jr., calls himself a "missionary lawyer" and encouraged the IEC to actively use the Internet for evangelism, but to navigate the legal waters of the Internet cautiously. McThenia, Legal Counsel for Campus Crusade for Christ, said creators, users and distributors of Internet content and media have intellectual property rights that must be considered. Internet ministries also need to be aware of compliance with regulations such as data privacy laws, he said, and that the very nature of the Internet means legal regulations from multiple countries must be taken into account. "When in doubt, ask," is one of the major guidelines McThenia says Internet ministries must now adopt in order to address many of the legal aspects of conducting ministry online.

View Tom's presentation here. (due to the size of this PPT file it may take a while to open)

Read Terms of Use Sample Document

Read Privacy Policy Sample Document

Walt Wilson, Founder and Chairman, Global Media Outreach: Nearly half the countries of the world now ban Christian missionaries, Europe is decidedly post Christian, Islam is drawing lines in the sand and a good many in US political leadership are openly opposing our Judeo-Christian heritage and culture. In the face of an increasingly dangerous and hostile world, what is our emerging strategy to share the gospel among 6.3 billion people, many of whom have never heard the Name of Jesus?

SENSE OF URGENCY
Walt challenged IEC participants to redouble the "sense of urgency" about their mission because, "You and I are the first generation to hold the technology to reach every person with the Gospel and to accomplish the task of the Great Commission." Wilson said ministries need to establish rules of productivity and measurements of deliverables because the rules and measurements are important to track what is happening and how people are responding to the gospel. For example, Wilson reported that through their ministries the gospel is presented online once every five seconds and a decision for Christ is made every 120 seconds. "What is our strategy to tell people about Jesus?," he challenged, "Will we act on what we believe?"

In the future, Wilson said the need will be for shorter content online with 60 second audio and 60 second video cuts being the norm. In addition he said while ministries should stay current on technology, Christians need to do a better job leveraging the technology that is already available because, "we haven't really even started using the full potential of the Internet for effective Gospel presentation." Wilson made the following recommendations for ministries interested in evangelism online:
1. Focus on things that think such as cell phones, etc.
2. Become an expert on search and search engines for search engine optimization.
3. Become very familiar with convergence among different forms of technology and communication.
4. Stay in the mainstream. Ministry can't lag behind technologically like it has in the past.
5. Learn how to tell the story of Christ in 60 seconds.
6. Become an expert in podcasting.

GMO is a coalition of Campus Crusade for Christ ministries that focus on evangelism over the Internet. Members of GMO include: Truth Media; Impact XXI; and Everystudent.com.

Debra Brown, President and CEO of Brown Governance: Debra challenged participants to use the IEC Online Training for Online Evangelists (OTOE) to grow an active Internet evangelism outreach in each local church. Brown shared how her church has used the OTOE to engage Christians in web evangelism, and the lessons learned along the way. She also reported on the success of the first-ever Internet Evangelism Day (IED) (www.InternetEvangelismDay.com) designed to encourage and equip more Christians in online evangelism.

View Debra's presentation here. (due to the size of this file it may take a while to open)

Karen Schenk, Managing Director, TruthMedia Internet Group: The paradox of the internet is this: that the very anonymity it promises opens the door to incredibly personal ministry. Through email mentoring, chat and discussion boards you can talk to anyone, anywhere in the world as if they were sitting right beside you. Come and be amazed by the honesty and openness possible in online communities and learn how to harness this opportunity for your ministry.

ONE CLICK FROM THE GOSPEL
Karen Schenk, Managing Director of TruthMedia Internet Group (www.truthmedia.com), says their goal is to help everyone on the Internet have a chance to hear about Jesus. While their websites receiving thousands of emails each month, nearly 3,500 of them are spiritually-related. Online articles through TruthMedia sites address felt needs and always provide people with the Gospel just one click. Schenk says website visitors are engaged in the following ways:
1. Mentoring, training volunteers to share the gospel.
2. Prayer mentoring, sending prayers in emails.
3. Discussion (message) boards, moderated boards where people can share thoughts and hear the gospel.
4. Follow-up strategy, online follow-up for offline events.
5. Online courses, topical and Bible study courses.
6. Chatrooms, Bible-based evangelism in a safe environment.

Schenk says the anonymity of the Internet promises open doors to incredibly personal ministry - allowing Christians to talk with anyone, anywhere in the world as if they were sitting right beside you.

View Karen's presentation here. (due to the size of this file it may take a while to open)
View Karen's handouts here. (due to the size of this file it may take a while to open)