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Spiritual Multiplication 2.0: Sharing the Gospel in a Digital Age

Written by Jennifer Penner

February 26, 2014

Our modern, highly technologically advanced age has vastly changed the way we communicate with one another. On the one hand, the digital age has made it easier and faster for people to connect, but this has also created more barriers due to the impersonal nature of many forms of communication. More than ever, the body of Christ has a great challenge: to evolve how we can share the same, unchanging and universal message of Jesus in relevant ways to a changing generation.

Meeting People Where They Are: Online

According to the latest stats from the UN, around 2.7 billion people – 40 percent of the world’s population – are on the Internet. Research from the Pew Foundation shows that 72% of North American adults use social networking and media to connect with others. People today are connecting more online now than in person.

But in today’s online world, people are bombarded with information 24/7, which can be overwhelming and contribute to a sense of disconnect from the real world and real relationships.

In this online-saturated environment, how can unbelievers be connected to believers so that the life-changing gospel can extend to all corners of the world and meet thousands of spiritually hungry people where they are?

Building bridges to make real and meaningful connections with people who are online is what TruthMedia is passionate about. An online ministry that brings the unchanging truth and hope of Christ to those seeking answers, TruthMedia equips believers to share their faith wherever they are and to whoever is in need. Through strategies like the mentoring program, social media, and online small groups, TruthMedia seeks to engage people and ultimately bring the light of Christ to them wherever they are in their spiritual journey.

With a model of accelerating multiplication already in place, TruthMedia is developing its social media strategies to enhance the capacity and reach of churches and believers in their communities. Through that, the ministry wants to go from seeing hundreds reaching thousands to thousands reaching millions. With a new mentoring software program in place, this will increase TruthMedia’s ability to lead people to Christ, mentor and disciple new believers, and connect them with the local church. “Our new project will be extremely effective in teaching mentors and enabling them to reach people in as little as five minutes or less,” explains Karen Schenk, TruthMedia’s national director.

The Bottom Line

With thousands of people needing answers at any given time and only 977 mentors available to respond. “With an increase in mentors, we could see the number of indicated decisions for Christ go from 13,000 to 45,000 [per year],” Schenk says.

In addition to mentors, the importance of having talented and experienced staff who can create the kind of relevant training resources that are needed for ministry cannot be overstated. “With the right people in place, we are able to create content that is not only current, but can engage seekers with the truth in a way that connects with their emotions and ultimately triggers response.”

The problem remains one of harvest, as Jesus understood in His time: “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.” (Matthew 9:37-38)

In His time, Jesus taught and lived out the gospel with the first 12 disciples who then took His message to the world. Today, if the ministry is to reach thousands more who are searching for answers online every day, then more believers need to be there to meet their needs.

“Sometimes, people are just searching for a connection, and anyone can be part of that. In any case, you will be personally impacted by being a mentor to someone in need,” Schenk says. “We are meeting them where they need it most,” she adds. “Through various means, like the mentor program, we are providing people with solutions to real issues, through real relationships, and pointing them to the right answer, which is Christ.”

Anyone with a heart to reach people online can be a mentor today! Thousands are searching for answers every day and you can help. Please consider how you can get involved by applying to be a mentor today or financially supporting TruthMedia Mentoring so more people can know Jesus.