The Power of Digital Evangelism

This article was written using content provided by Global Connections Network member: The Billy Graham Evangelistic Association of the United Kingdom (BGEA UK)

A big vision on a global scale

The Billy Graham Evangelistic Association of the United Kingdom (BGEA UK) is well known for the powerful evangelism and outreach ministry of their founder, Billy Graham, his son Franklin Graham and grandson Will Graham: ‘Proclaiming the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ to all we can by every effective means available to us, and equipping others to do the same.’

They have an active Internet Evangelism ministry named ‘Search for Jesus’: https://searchforjesus.net/

Search for Jesus uses the Internet to share the Gospel around the world, in multiple different languages. Using the power of Google Ad words and Facebook advertising Search of Jesus reaches out to people in times of crisis (e.g. anxiety, suicidal thoughts, suffering or loneliness) or at moments when they are googling for answers to questions such as ‘Who is God?’ Why am I here? Is heaven real? Is there life after death? The search returns real answers to life’s most difficult questions through the https://peacewithgod.net/ web link.

The Gospel message is laid out clearly step by step and volunteers are available to chat in real time. If people pray the prayer of salvation they are offered extra support in the form of an e-coach/ Know Jesus courses (https://courses.goingfarther.n...) and connection to other believers through a local church.

This ministry has a big vision, reaching tens of thousands of people on a global scale. It is individual evangelism on a mass scale, all the time, around the world in different languages. Around 25,000 people a day are coming to the peacewithGod.net website and it is largely facilitated by volunteers.

Volunteers

The ministry has around 2000 volunteers worldwide who give 2 hours of their time each week to the Searchforjesus.net ministry. There are multiple volunteer opportunities and full training is provided. Possible opportunities include:

• Social media coaches – A social media coach engages in written online conversations with people who send messages through Facebook, online ads and web pages. Conversations provide an avenue for one-on-one connections about life and struggles while looking for opportunities to offer the hope of Jesus Christ and a deeper understanding of a relationship with Him.
• Chat coaches - A chat coach engages in written online conversation with people who visit BGEA ministry websites. This is done in a fast-paced, real-time, live chat environment, providing personal connection, biblical direction, prayer, and encouragement. These are momentary connections with the hope they will provide opportunities to share the love of Jesus Christ and a deeper understanding of a relationship with Him.
• Discipleship coaches - Discipleship coaches guide new believers—or those curious about Christianity—through free online discipleship courses. They encourage, pray for, and help participants grow in their faith or come to know Jesus for the first time.
• Prayer volunteers - Prayer volunteers intercede specifically for the Search for Jesus ministry taking place daily around the globe. BGEA believe that personal and corporate prayer changes lives through the power of the Holy Spirit.
• Volunteers in local churches - Search for Jesus can connect online visitors with local, biblically sound churches that are passionate about discipleship. These churches will help them grow in their relationship with Christ.

Volunteer testimonials:

One of the most rewarding areas for volunteers is leading people to the Lord. For the staff team at BGEA seeing volunteers step into the call God has put into their life is also very rewarding. Some volunteers are retired or even housebound and get a renewed sense of purpose through volunteering for this ministry.

"When I retired from the pastorate, I still wanted to serve the Lord, and this was the answer to my prayer... At 77 years old, I'm fulfilling God's purpose for my life." Deryl, Chat Coach.

"I have a hard time talking face to face with people, but I can think through my answers here. I can also do this anytime of day or night." Barbara, Email Coach.

“Years ago, I struggled with fear of rejection when sharing Christ with others.… I would have never guessed in my wildest imaginations that one day God would use me to share with people from all over the world.” June, Chat Coach.

“[Search for Jesus] has made it possible for me to still serve the Lord even though not physically strong.” Miriam, Discipleship Coach.

“Providing hope [is] not only uplifting but also very humbling to have the opportunity to share Christ’s love with someone totally out of reach otherwise.” Joseph, Email Coach.

“I’m reminded how good it feels to see someone ‘really get it’ and to move into a deeper relationship with our Lord.” David, Discipleship Coach.

Prayer points:

• Pray for the Volunteers who are meeting the needs of people who are searching online.
• Pray for effective advertising to recruit new volunteers and to share the Gospel.

Images and content used by Global Connections with the permission of BGEA UK.