Internet Evangelism Explosion
Submitted by: Tracy Kirkley
in Auckland New Zealand
Online Ministries are making their mark in the world of cyberspace. Many are operating
is much the same way a church would . There is a spirit of cooperation and unity
developing between various online ministries.
Project Agape is one of these. Leslie Trobaugh leads a team of committed volunteers
whose mission is based on the scripture …Mark 16:15 He said to them, "Go into
all the world and preach the good news to all creation.…" She is based in
Texas, but the online ministry she directs has spread its influence around the globe in a
remarkably short time. Her team of workers and supporters come from all around the world.
Her website was launched March 8, 1997. What started as initially a one page site has
developed into a team of over 40 people who are assigned web pages to visit each week. The
teams are made up of Christians from various backgrounds and denominations .
"I initially sent out my request for team members through my email contact list.
It didn’t take long before we had people coming to us expressing interest in joining
a team" Leslie explains.
"The Lord had placed this vision in my heart, but I had to take the step of faith in
beginning His work. It hasn’t been easy at times, but the Lord told me to prepare for
battle."
Project Agape's Mission is
- To reach out to the unsaved by inviting them to a page that shares the gospel of Jesus
Christ.
- To help Christians on the Web become aware of what an excellent tool we have to reach
the World for Christ when we have the world at our fingertips.
"Creating Web pages that share the gospel and offer hope to a dying world is like
building churches and never inviting people who are not saved to come. Its like having all
these wonderful churches and only Christians visiting them." Leslie says.
Rather than waiting for "surfers" to stumble across a Christian site. Agape
actively seeks websites and visits them. Their message is an invitation to visit the
homepage of one of the team members or a page that gives the Gospel message. The P.A site
isn't ever used basically because it is more of an introduction to the ministry.
Assistant Director Ralph Dettwiler comments, "The light needs to be shone where
there is no light. What is the purpose of shining a flashlight in the daylight ? The
darker it is . the more need there is for our light to be shone"
History
When Agape began visiting websites it was as if the gates of hell had been opened.
Curses were sent to Leslie via her email address, other team members also received hate
mail. Agape even got mentioned on a highly visited atheist's page. Personal threats were
received from individuals who did not like the "invasion" of Gods love to their
personal sites.
In May Agape was removed from their former webserver. A witch had taken offense to a
visit by team members to her webpage and she reported the site stating it had violated
various page guidelines. (which it had not) Without warning all Agape pages were removed
with no notice or right of appeal.. In the weeks leading up to this, there had been three
separate attempts to discredit the ministries goals and functions and remove the pages.
Leslie was shaken and discouraged . She sought Gods answers in prayer and tears. "
That was one hurdle that the Lord literally carried us over. I received hurtful letters
from fellow Christians saying that this ministry was giving Christians a bad name. People
were trying to tell me this was not of the Lord But we are seeing people make salvation
decisions. Myself and others are beginning to get more responses to our visits which then
opens doors to witness on a more personal level"
Like any ministry which is prepared to do battle and take ground from the enemy, it has
not been without hardship and discouragement’s. However Leslie strong commitment to
prayer and allowing the Holy Spirit to lead the expansion of Agape’s vision has
brought tremendous blessing and growth in not only the ministry , but in her personal walk
with God.
"I must always give glory to the Lord for Project Agape. It is not "my"
ministry but His! At times I still stand in such awe as what the Lord is doing through
this and in my own personal life. God is really blessing me and teaching me as well as
refining me. Many times I am overwhelmed at what I see God doing... I am living in
expectancy, because I know that the Lord is about to do even more. Sometimes I just sit
back and tears come to my eyes because I feel so unworthy of all the blessings."
Internet Evangelism Explosion
Agape’s current project is exciting and innovative. It is promoting and leading
the "Internet Evangelism Explosion" which has drawn in many other interested
online individuals and ministries. This project is to encourage Christians to commit
themselves to visiting sites and inviting the people to a page that shares the Gospel of
Jesus Christ . An initial Goal of 1575 non-Christian websites was targeted for the week of
September 14-21. This goal was met in late July and as at the date of writing far exceeded
their expectations and stood at 2120. Interest is escalating as more within the online
Christian community are hearing what is happening.
Agape also has a strong commitment to visiting other online ministries and praying for
them and their leadership. This in turn opens communication and dialogue from other
ministries. Closer relationships are established, which in turn compliment many functions
within the Body.
Other ministries are contacting Leslie with the view of forming a network of like
minded individuals and organizations whose purpose is cooperation and strong relationships
within the online community.
Project Agape is just one example that denominational walls can come down and we can
work together as one for the sake of Christ .
Janey Nieboer of Campus Christ Crusade has observed, "Across the board, I see
churches of different denominations and races joining together, and parachurch
organizations .. working more and more closely....the harvest is right and we are
beginning to see the Body of Christ finally act like a body that is coordinated! One other
observation I have made is that almost all of these ministries were formed independently
from each other, but basically around the same time. God has already prepared the hearts
to work together in unity."
Plans are currently underway to form a joint site which is an umbrella for the whole
area of Internet evangelism. This site will explain to visitors what Internet evangelism
is and encourage people to participate in the different functions and arms of this
exciting new way to spread the gospel.
Leslie is convinced that the recent communications with many like minded organization
is no coincidence. "I believe this call for working closer with other Internet
Groups, as a united group of evangelists is truly from the Lord. We are all part of one
body, the body of Christ. Unity and working in one accord creates an environment in which
the Lord's glory can surely be seen. This is why I am so excited about this vision"
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