SEO, Search Engine Optimization - "LET YOUR LIGHT SO SHINE" - How to increase web exposure for your ministry

SEVEN STEPS TO INCREASE YOUR CHRISTIAN MINISTRY'S INTERNET TRAFFIC

Tomorrow I am preaching on Matthew 5:16 "Let your light (so) shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in Heaven."  How does this apply to Web Evangelism or Christian Internet Ministry?

You may have a wonderful ministry or message but if no one knows about it, your influence is limited.
We can make decisions and put a plan in place to increase our exposure of our ministry or message for the glory of God!

HOW TO HAVE MORE PEOPLE FIND YOUR CHURCH OR MINISTRY WEBSITE OR

SEVEN STEPS TO INCREASE YOUR INTERNET TRAFFIC:

1) Review and implement the basics of Search Engine Optimization

A great place to start is Google's Search Engine Optimization Starter Guide found HERE

This covers the SEO basics in a concise way so I will not repeat all the basics here but please do download the guide and apply it. This is the most important of my seven steps for Christian SEO. You can also do a simple Google search and find hundreds of helpful articles. I also suggest going to YOUTUBE and subscribe to Google Webmasters video subscription and also search their videos - I find the visual format easier to learn from.

2) Stay current in the constantly changing world of Internet

I suggest that you subscribe to OurChurch.com's email list. I don't know them personally but I have followed them for years and believe they are an outstanding resource.  Below is a video by Kurt Steinbrueck, Director of marketing services with OurChurch.Com with a Seo update.

May SEO Update: Google Makes Big Changes!

3) Focus on your niche as you plan and update your pages. 

Instead of trying to be the number one Christian Website in the world, focus on your niche. Keep it narrow. Consider what search terms will people use and include them on your website.  Use Google's keyword planner and also include other pertinent search terms on your website. Don't forget to include your locality if this is important for you. As an example a church or a local ministry needs to show up in local searches such as "Church + city" or "Type of Ministry + city". It is more important to be found by those looking for your services in your particular location so list your city several times. I.E. people will search "Baptist Church" + Chicago as opposed to just "Baptist Church".

4) Get help but make sure they are not cheating! 

Many services will offer SEO help or guarantee page views but it is important that they do this through legitimate means. Google will penalize a website that takes shortcuts to get artificial links or artificial page views. Google has also increased their ability to figure this out. If you don't have technical knowledge it is worth the investment to get some help.

5) Make sure you add Social Media features to your website. 

Make it easy for people to share on Facebook etc.  Also keep the material on your website fresh - if it stays the same there is no reason for people to come back. The easiest way to do this is to include a Ministry Blog. You can assign different people to write articles or to give updates. It is also now fairly easy to include videos without a lot of technical knowledge. Remember a quality video can usually better connect to the heart of an individual than just words...

6) Consider advertising. 

Google Ads are a great way to get the word out to your targeted audience.

7) BONUS - ADDITIONAL WAYS TO ACHIEVE HIGH SEARCH ENGINE RANKINGS.

I have been very blessed to achieve high search engine rankings in spite of the fact that I have two glaring weaknesses that are very important to search engines. I do not have a massive amount of traffic and I also have not been updating my websites as often as I should. In spite of this, if you do a web search for the following terms you will see that I am at the top of the results that include millions of websites: "Internet Ministry", "Christian Internet Ministry", "Web Evangelism", etc.  also "Internet minister" and "web evangelist".

I have been an urban missionary for over thirty years. I have long thought that the Internet is an exciting vehicle with awesome potential to empower Christians to share their faith and also a powerful way to share the GOOD NEWS! I feel the Lord has given me some good ideas, experience, gifts, and skills to eventually have a powerful web ministry for the kingdom. In order for this to happen, the Lord will have to provide funding for me and these endeavors. The Lord has not done this yet so I don't believe I should try to force things but wait on his timing.  In the mean time, while I am waiting for the Lord to provide, I am using wisdom to prepare for that time. I figured when I am ready and have the volunteers or staff in place to recruit volunteers I would want a high ranking when someone searches "Internet Ministry", "Christian Internet Ministry", or "Web Evangelism". I also know that in the future I would want to be known as a "Web Evangelist" or an "Internet Minister". (This does not necessarily mean I would leave urban ministry but that I would be adding Internet Ministry to our ministry endeavors. Currently I am able to invest very little time in this and would appreciate your prayers for this to change, if it is HIS Will).

Anyway, I set up some websites with these specific goals in mind. One thing that I figured, even though I don't think I read it anywhere, is that the search engines are probably not playing entirely fair, but probably favor their own company in the search engine results. So I decided to use Yahoo as my hosting company (knowing that Yahoo would notice my site in their search engine results) and then I started this blog on Blogger (a Google company, knowing that Google would probably favor their site) I then cross promoted these two sites and was blessed with very high ranking websites.

I paid particular attention to the back side of my website. Naming the pages, files, and pictures names that pertained to my desired niches. This also included the alt tags with descriptive information on my niches. I also secured these particular terms on major websites: ie my youtube channel is internetminister. My email on google is: webevangelist, on microsoft (hotmail) it is internetminister. On facebook, my page is internetminister etc. and then cross promote (I provide my own high quality cross links). Often when I write an article or a webpage I do it with SEO in mind even though some concepts might be repeated in different ways...  Now sites like ChristianInternetMinistry.com, InternetMinister.org (terribly outdated), webevangelist.blogspot.com, and Christ Cares' Internet Ministry page  all have very high search engine results in Internet Ministry results.

A PRACTICAL STEP I PLAN ON TAKING, rethinking my above thoughts and also reinforced by OurChurch.com's Blog as well as by a wonderful seminar by Tony Chen of movement121.com that I attended earlier this week is to USE GOOGLE CIRCLES because it is having increasing influence on Google's search engine's results.

Anyway, I hope this is a help, drop me a line if it is...

Now, pause, & pray for wisdom and then invest some time in making changes on your website so you can better share the GOOD NEWS!

Best Wishes,

Web Evangelist and Internet Minister Scott Reese

Web Evangelist Report from Moody Bible Institute's 125th Anniversary Celebration

On Saturday, October 1, 2011 I had the privilege of attending Moody Bible Institute's 125th Anniversary Celebration.

This event not only celebrated Moody's rich spiritual heritage, but Moody's President, J. Paul Niquist, also took a strategic look to the future. Rev. Nyquist identified FOUR MEGA TRENDS THAT DEFINE OUR RAPIDLY CHANGING WORLD.

The first trend mentioned was GLOBALIZATION.

• "The world is flat & increasingly interconnected through a wireless mobile web."
• One fourth of the world's population is online - 1.7 Billion People!
• Two thirds of the 4 billion mobile phone contracts are in the emerging world. - if half of these soon become web enabled, it would add another 1 billion people to the web.

Other trends mentioned were URBANIZATION and SECULARIZATION. The world is flocking to cities -soon there will be 33 mega cities with a population of over 10 million. The fastest growing "religious" group in America are those who have no religious beliefs.

I was thrilled to hear a respected Evangelical leader list the world's growing Internet population as the first consideration for strategic future ministry. Not that long ago it seemed like few leaders had this foresight. 

As Christian Leaders and Pastors begin to see the awesome potential of  Web Evangelism  and Christian Internet Ministry   I hope they will be willing to invest financial resources into Internet Ministry endeavors. 

The harvest is plenteous, but the laborers are few. Let's pray that the Lord of the harvest will send laborers into His harvest field. The harvest field is unimaginably  large and I believe there is great potential to recruit laypeople who would be willing to share their faith online if they were instructed and empowered on how to do it. 

A strategic missing piece of the puzzle are Web Evangelists and Internet Ministers to invest their time and talent tackling this problem. Too often the large churches and Christian non profits have the expansion of their ministry as the priority of their web endeavors. Important goals of Web Evangelism should be 1) sharing the GOOD NEWS of the gospel to the lost, 2) mobilizing & inspiring the multitude of Christians who spend many hours a day on Facebook to reach out in love to the world. Please see http://christianinternetministry.com ( a ministry of ChristCares.org) for more information or to make a financial donation.

I believe a third strategic goal for Internet Ministry is to encourage other believers - praying for them and collaborating on ministry projects see ChristianInternetMinistry.com for more info.

Rev. Nyquist also shared that there is tremendous growth in the Christian Church around the world. In 1917 there was only an estimated 11,000 (evangelical) Christians in all of South America, now there is 90 million! Africa now has 182 million Christians and Kenya has a 45% Evangelical Christian population. There is great revival in Korea and China now has 125 million Christians. With the possible exception of the Chinese, there are ways that the American Church can reach out in love and encouragement through the Internet to these fellow Christians. I believe the Lord has given me vision and ideas how this could be done to some degree. At this point I am praying and asking God to provide the funding if he wants me to invest more time into Internet Ministry. I'd appreciate your prayer and comments - Web Evangelist Scott Reese - WebEvangelist@gmail.com 

How to avoid Internet temptation

A Fox News Article:

Christian Couples Staying Faithful on Facebook, Twitter 
- Science News | Science
(How to avoid the temptations of the Internet)

Christian Couples Staying Faithful on Facebook, Twitter - Science News | Science & Technology | Technology News - FOXNews.com

(Posted using ShareThis)

The above article is about Christian couples sharing the same email address as a way of avoiding some of the temptations of the Internet.

I have two other suggestions:

1. Use a picture that also includes your spouce on your profile pages of your social networking communities like Facebook, MySpace etc. This makes an instant statement and impression.

See http://facebook.com/internetminister as an example.

2. There is also a FREE SOLUTION to greatly reduce Internet temptation.

It is not a web filtering program... the problem with filtering programs is daddy has the password!

There is a simple accountability software program that you can download at http://xxxchurch.com/.

After downloading, you select an accountability partner and submit their email address. Then once a week your accountability partner will get an email report of any potentially problem websites that you visited. If you choose to shut off the accountability software, then your accountability partner gets an email saying that you turned off the program.

For your protection, I suggest the use an alias while using this program - then the weekly report will not have your name attached to it. Your accountability partner will know who it is and that is the only purpose of the program.

Obviously your accountability partner should be someone who is spiritually mature. It is also important to observe if they talk or gossip about other people. If someone is a gossip, it is a spiritual problem and you should not be surprised when they talk about you - it is part of their fleshly nature... they do not understand the Spirit filled life. For some reason we foolishly think we will be an exception.

David was a man of great passion for God. However while alone on a rooftop he saw Bathsheba and you know the rest of the story...

Guys, put yourslef in David's place... on a rooftop and knowing that with a simple turning of the head, you could view Bathsheba, an incredibly beautiful woman... etc. Now imagine if your strong Christian friends were on the rooftop with you... it would be much easier to make the immediate proper choice - flee temptation ( a la Josepth) Don't ponder or play with temptation.

Today Bathsheba is only a 1 second click away. It would be wise to reduce temptation whether you are living victoriously or struggling. In a moment of strength, or even during a moment of guilt, go ahead, place a phone call, and ask a trusted Christian friend if he'd like to help keep you accountable...

In a spirit of humility let us pray for each other and encourage each other. Let us not just pray for victory but let us be willing to avoid the way of temptation.

(Read Proverbs 7 - HERE )

Proverbs 22:3

A prudent man foreseeth the evil, and hideth himself: but the simple pass on, and are punished.

I Corinthians 10:13

No temptation has seized you except what is common to man.

And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear.

But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.

Guys, Ladies, there is a way to escape temptation, are you willing to take it?

Web Evangelist Scott Reese

WebEvangelist@gmail.com

Web Evangelist Scott Reese Prayer Request 9/6/09

Please pray that God will give me wisdom to share the need and awesome opportunities of Web Evangelism and Internet Ministry.

I am also looking for Christians who would be interested in funding or volunteering with a Christian Facebook type of site.

"Community with Purpose" - no suggestive ads and with a goal of fostering communication and collaberation in the Body of Christ.

See www.ChristianInternetMinistry.com for more information.

May the Lord bless you richly,

Web Evangelist, Scott Reese

Web Evangelist Prayer Request - MORE WORKERS IN THE FIELD!

CHRSTCARES .ORG

Web Evangelist Scott Reese is developing a website to recruit volunteers for Web Evangelism, and Christian Internet Ministry.

See http://christcares.org/ for more information and videos of Christian Testimonies of lives touched by the gospel. BODY OF CHRIST CARES promotes volunteerism not only for Christian Internet Ministry but also traditional missionary endeavors.

There is a lost world that GOD SO LOVES that needs to hear the GOOD NEWS of John 3:16.

As we consider this, it is our prayer that we will follow Christ's example of compassion. One of my favorite passages is Matthew 9:36 - 38 when Christ viewed Jerusalem:

"But when He saw the multitudes, He was moved with compassion for them, because they were weary and scattered, like sheep having no shepherd. Then He said to His disciples, “The harvest truly is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest.”

Across America and around the world, there are multitudes who are weary, without direction, yet open to the gospel. They need to know that GOD CARES.

We believe that the world will know that God cares when it sees that the BODY OF CHRIST CARES.

Across America and around the world there are many wonderful & dedicated churches, organizations, missionaries, and Christian individuals that are endeavoring to make a difference. The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few - they are in great need of help.

There are unprecedented mission opportunities now to get the gospel out to this world of over six billion! We must pray that the Lord will send more workers into this ripe harvest field!

OUR CHALLENGE: AS YOU PRAY, REMEMBER AS A MEMBER OF THE BODY OF CHRIST - YOU HAVE A UNIQUE ROLE IN THE HARVEST FIELD.

We must not just fill our lives with the leisure and luxury of America during this time of reaping. Every individual in the BODY OF CHRIST is important and is crafted by God for unique ministry (Eph. 2:10).

We believe that there is now a great move of God, a revival that is bigger than any individual or organization. We believe that there is a multitude of Christians that are tired of playing church and want to be involved in practical ministry - making a difference in someones life.

There is an inner restlessness. Christians were created to serve (to love God and others). When one is not actively involved in sharing one's faith (through word or deed) there is an inner restlessness.

Imagine a beautiful Thoroughbred Horse inside a brand new barn filled with all the "horse comforts" possible: plenty of hay, water, and food. Imagine though what would happen if the barn doors were locked closed and were never opened. Even though the horse had a comfortable atmosphere, it would become restless because the Thoroughbred horse was created to run. Christians who are not involved in ministry are in the same situation - because we were created to serve. Although it does not make sense to our fleshly mind, it is more blessed to give than receive!

CHRIST CARES seeks to address a unique and unusual need: THERE IS A MYRIAD OF CHRISTIANS THAT WANT TO VOLUNTEER SOME WHERE AND MAKE A DIFFERENCE, HOWEVER SINCE THE BODY OF CHRIST IS SO DIVIDED MANY DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO OR WHERE TO GO. WE WANT TO ENCOURAGE AND EMPOWER YOU TO GET INVOLVED AND CONNECT YOU WITH MEANINGFUL AND PRACTICAL OPPORTUNITIES TO VOLUNTEER AND MAKE A DIFFERENCE!

Christ Cares is a Christian Organization that promotes reconciliation and collaboration in the BODY OF CHRIST.

CHRIST CARES seeks to encourage Christian lay people to become involved in ministry and provides practical Christian volunteer opportunities. Body of Christ Cares seeks to expand it's vision and out reach to other cities- please contact me if you'd like to help or if you think we can be of service to you-

"FRESH NEWS" ABOUT CHRIST CARES IS FOUND AT THE CHRIST CARES BLOG.

CHRIST CARES seeks to empower ministries - if your ministry needs volunteers, let us know so we can help spread the word:

Web Evangelist Scott Reese

WebEvangelist@gmail.com

VIDEO - Vision of CHRIST CARES

Web Evangelist update - New Internet Ministry opportunities for missions

The Internet is fast becoming more accessible to the world's poorest 3 billion.

This presents many obvious opportunities for missions.

Also, many people wish they could go back in time to develop key social networking, local activities and informational websites. Being first to set something in place gives you a key advantage. Christians now have a wonderful opportunity to develop key bridgesites (see bridgesites.org) in the emerging markets of Africa, Asia, and South America. Visit http://christianinternetministry.com/ to donate, collaborate, or to get ideas for Web Evangelism and Internet Ministry.

Please view CNN's video report on the O3B Initiative:



Contact Web Evangelist and Internet Minister Scott Reese at WebEvangelist@gmail.com

Another helpful Christian website with information on a soon to be developed Christian Social Network and along with a witnessing bridgesite social networking site can be found: HERE

Why support a Web Evangelist?

Why support a Web Evangelist? Lesson 1

From: InternetMinister, 5 hours ago

Christian Internet Ministry

View SlideShare presentation or Upload your own. (tags: witnessing outreach)

A preview of http://christianinternetministry.com/

Lesson 1. Why Christian Internet Ministry is important. By Internet Minister Scott Reese. Web Evangelism presentation.


SlideShare Link

Firefox & Safari browesers - Please view in Internet Explorer if you don't hear the sound files.

A tax deductible monthly donation of only $5 a month can make a difference and empower Reconciliation Resource Ministries (ChristCares.org), a Christian 501c3 non profit organization, to develop its Web Evangelism endeavors.

Please see, ChristianInternetMinistry.com for more information.

Search terms to help people find this Web Evangelism Blog by Web Evangelist Scott Reese: web evangelist, web ministry, web evangelism, internet evangelism, Internet Ministry, Christian Internet Ministry, Online Ministry, Scott Reese, Christian blogging, missions, internet minister, Internet missionary.

Web Evangelist Scott Reese update

I want to thank the many people who have prayed for me. I hope many of my "old readers" put me in their Christian RSS list since I have not written in a long time.

I praise God for his goodness and his mercy! I posted on my website a brief summary of the miraculous way God has been merciful to me: HERE

I still have a great interest and passion for Web Evangelism and see how the Internet could be used in powerful ways for the kingdom.

I have not been able to share this vision well or perhaps it is not God's timing yet because I have not been able to secure funding for these endeavors.

On a weekly basis I spend an evening at the Roseland Christian Ministries homeless shelter for ladies and their children. I have a wonderful time sharing Gods love to 25 to 85 children (and I strongly recommend this ministry). Anyway, if I share this or other of my urban ministry endeavors with Christians, there seems to be understanding, interest, and a desire to help.

That is contrasted to blank stares or a chuckle when when I share that Internet Ministry can be used in a powerful and inexpensive way to get the gospel to the lost. I also think it's greatest potential could be to build "community" within a congregation and also as a tool for Christians with similar passions to colaberate for the kingdom. Also think of how the Internet and camera phones can connect us with our missionaries...

It dawned on me that part of the reason I have been "a voice crying in the wilderness" for the past 7 years or so is because I really haven't shared the vision in a clear way. It is crystal clear in my own mind, but when I talk about the need for Web Evangelists most people are thinking in terms of their church website ... and I agree that usually is not something to get too excited about!

I decided the best way to share this vision was to put it in DVD form. I got off to a good start but now my DVD drive is not working properly, my computer has slowed along with an error message that my "hard drive is about to fail". Soooooooo I definately would appreciate your prayers for me as I try to finish up this project.

I also would be interested in any input on how to best cast a vision for web evangelism / ministry in a way that would be understood, especially by the over 40 crowd.

You can contact me, Rev. Scott Reese at: webevangelist@gmail.com

Internet Minister Update & Andy Stanley...

For over 30 years (starting at age 13) I have had the privilege of sharing the GOOD NEWS to the poor, poverty stricken areas of Chicagoland. In addition to my Urban Ministry efforts (http://christcares.org),

I believe the Lord has given me a clear vision on how to inspire and empower regular church going Christians to share their faith online.

I have a special burden to create bridge sites (http://bridgesites.org) which would develop online communities around areas of interest (hobbies, sport teams, causes, occupations, common experiences - like support for those who lost loved ones or who are facing cancer, movies, music, age groups, such as seniors, etc.). These community groups (http://christiancommunitygroups.com), would allow christians to enjoy their area of interest and also allow them to connect, relate to, and form relationships with those who don't know our Savior (and also probably would not have any interest in attending a church service or surfing the thousands of typical Christian websites.)

I envisioned my ministry responsibilities to soon have a significant portion dedicated to these efforts. Nearly a year ago, I started sharing this vison, by starting this blog (http://webevangelist.blogspot.com) and http://internetminister.org (- a great place to learn about Internet Evangelism and Internet Ministry.) I was encouraged by the response to these efforts - I still find it amazing to have someone on the other side of the world contact me and thank me for encouraging them in the Lord in some way. However, to this point I have not had any mission committees or Christian Individuals capture the vision to support these efforts financially. I really believe "where God guides, He provides" so I have patiently sought the Lord for direction to see if these are my plans or His. I still clearly feel that the Lord is calling me to share the vision/burden he has placed upon my heart. Many times in my life the Lord has revealed to me a clear direction or vison of ministry and I just had to hold on to it until it was His timing.

Three examples come to mind ...

EXAMPLE 1:

At about age 20 the Lord laid it upon my heart to start a church in the poorest suburb of America - we had a very humble beginning ... we started in a government housing project living room and a chitlin bucket with a towel on top was one of my first pulpits. God also gave me a clear vison of a large church and gymnasium, I even took out pencil and paper and scketched it... years later, I came across a church that looked very similar to the one I had drawn - to make a long story short ... through a series of miracles and the kindness of the Mid-West Baptist Conference we were able to purchase this building for $25,000 - with a large auditorium, full court basketball gym, kitchen, a dozen Sunday School Classrooms etc.! $25,000 was to our poor church like two million for other churches. The Lord worked it out so that we were given full acess to the building and given a year to come up with a downpayment of a couple thousand, and then told just to make monthly payments on the rest of the balance of whatever we could afford (& that there would be no interest). God raised up a powerful church there and after a 17 year process, I turned the ministry over to an African-American Pastor. The church continues to have an impact today...

EXAMPLE 2:

Many years ago the Lord placed upon my heart the concept of having an area-wide event called "Taste of Reconciliation". This event would promote unity and cooperation in the body of Christ... It would consist of a time of first - food and fellowship - free ethnic food of various types, games, and various cultural haritage booths, followed by a multi-cultural worship service (along with a good message from the WORD) . For 3 - 4 years I shared this vision but no one seemed to get excited about it. Finally I found a partner to team up with (Living Springs Community Church of Glenwood, Illinois) and last Sunday I'm gald to report we had our 4th annual "Taste of Reconciliation". Five to six hundred people or more showed up and we had a powerful service where it was not just a fun musical but a time where God touched and inspired hearts in a deep and significant way.

EXAMPLE 3:

For some time now I have been pleading with "church folk" about the importance of Internet Ministry and how we can empower congregations to invest a small portion of their week sharing their faith Online instead of watching T.V.

Cults, false religions, te rror organizations, etc. are using the Internet very effectively for their causes... In this time of uncertainty and fear, we have wonderful, urgent, GOOD NEWS, to share. We have a very inexpensive medium to get it out - the Internet! We now have the capacity of empowering "lay people" to share their faith to some of the ONE BILLION souls online. For some reason, I have not yet connected with those who see this vison and would like to team up to see it happen. I believe God has given me insights and skills on how to see this happen, yet In need to wait for God's timing and provision.

* Many of you may have noticed that I have gone several months without posting a blog or further developing our websites. This summer I have been dealt several special & difficult circumstances - health issues, house & vehicle issues - seems like everything is breaking down, family issues, a need to provide an adequate income for my family etc. - so I have had to make my faimily and a few other things the priority in my life. So at this time, my "Internet Ministry" time is limited - yet since I believe my time limitations is due to obdeience to God given responsibilities, that God will continue these efforts (If they be of God and Not Scott Reese). It has been interesting to see that during these past few months while I have had hardly any time to invest in these efforts, that I have received probably about 30 to 50 requests from people who are interested in our Web Evangelism efforts (possible volunteers).

* It is amazing ... yet I still have some pressing family needs which will not allow me to invest much time in these Internet Ministry efforts for a while. I know a key to having a good blog is consistent writing and I am looking forward to agressively get this up and going again, in God's timing.

* Please note the following plan...

PHASE ONE (A): RESOURCES TO LEARN ABOUT INTERNET EVANGELISM ARE FOUND AT: www.internetminister.org (completed thanks to the resources provided by Tony Whittiker, the Internet Evangelism Coaltion, & Gospelcom.net )

PHASE ONE (B) WHILE YOU ARE WAITING FOR ME TO COMPLETE PHASE TWO

PLEASE:

1) Pray for these efforts 2) Pray that if it be the Lord's will that He will also provide the funding and the clearing of time in my schedule for these efforts 3) Consider how you can help Phase Two become a reality. 4) While waiting, continue to learn about internet evngelism by following the links on our sites 5) While waiting, for our "PHASE TWO" - explore some other good Internet Ministries (see my previous post) and see how you can get involved now and gain experience. 6) For those of you who do feel a pull in your heart to help in these efforts, please drop me an email about how I can best pray for you. It is my desire to empower those who team up with me, to your fullest potential for God,(& not just to be some short term volunteer in my big ministry scheme.) Although my time is limited, I do want to know, care, and share community those who I will be partnering with.

PHASE TWO: As soon as God provides the time, resources, and /or volunteers to:

Launch community websites (message boards etc.) for the various community groups or mission focus areas so Christian volunteers can start interacting with each other, and collaberating on how to go about developing their specific "Bridge Site".

PHASE THREE: Will be the actual launching of these bridge websites to develop community and to share the good news ... (I also have a phase 4 & 5 but let's get through 1-3 first)

+ A SPECIAL NOTE: Thanks to a gift from a concerned pastor, today I was able to attend "The Leadership Summit" / Conference produced by Willow Creek and Bill Hybels. I attended at Faith Church of Dyer, IN., where Bob Bouwer is pastor.

Andy Stanley was a speaker that really blessed my heart. He shared about the importance of those who have a passion for ministry to keep their role as a husband / father a priority and not to allow our passion for ministry to crowd into our unique and most important roles. It is a matter of faith... So often I think if I don't work hard enough, this whole thing will come unglued and fall apart. Often things seem to take me longer than they should so I make up for this by working longer hours. Andy Stanleys session was a call to:

faith, not to fear;

God's ministry, not my plans;

"being" not "doing";

obeying God's commands, not trying to help God out;

ministering to your family as a priority over ministering to everyone else.

Although I have been attempting positive change in these areas, my heart was really convicted. My family is at a unique situation where they need tons of time from their husband and daddy. Please pray with me that the Lord will grant me the faith and strength to come through for them. As far as this Internet Ministry, and my other ministry endeavors - I put them on God's altar - may His will be done.

Web Evangelist Scott Reese - Internet Minister.

webevangelist@gmail.com

(Missions, evangelism, witnessing, blogging, Web Evangelism, web ministry, online evangelism, online ministry, missionaries, dononation, 501c3, giving, volunteer, christian, faith, are all search terms to help people find this article.)

Internet Evangelism Resources

Internet Evangelism Resources:

Prayerfully this week after Internet Evangelism Day, there is a multitude of people searching for Internet Evangelism Resources. I thought I would list some of the Web Evangelism links and Internet Ministry Resources that I have found helpful.

Internet Evangelism Links:

(Our websites:)

http://internetminister.org - a good starting place to learn about Internet Evangelism.

http://bridgesites.org - Learn about the "Bridge Site Strategy". Your hobbies, and interests can be used to "bridge" into the world of those who don't know the Lord.

http://christiancommunitygroups.com - Volunteer to share your faith online and help develop an effective, evangelistic Bridge Site.

http://internetministry.info - Our version of Toni Whittaker's web-evangelism guide.

http://blogministry.org - Learn how to write an evangelistic blog.

http://familywebtips.org - information on keeping your computer a blessing, not a distracting temptation.

http://christcares.org - Reconciliation Resource Ministries, the 501c3 Christian non profit organization that sponsors www.internetminister.org .

http://howtobeachristian.org - How to become a Christian.

http://godinfo.info - Ask a Christian Minister questions about God and Christianity.

OTHER INTERNET EVANGELISM LINKS, RESOURCES, AND IDEAS:

Tony Whittaker - A (the) leader in developing Internet Evangelism Material - http://www.soon.org.uk

http://webevangelism.com - The Internet Evangelism Coalition - training, ideas, sponsor of the Internet Evangelism Day, and great annual "Internet Evangelism Conference" in Chicago every September - I highly recommend the Internet Evangelism Conference.

http://iec.gospelcom.net/otoe/index.php - Internet Evangelism Coalition's Web Evangelism training.

http://whoisjesus.org - The gospel in many languages.

http://gospelcom.net - a leader in online ministry. Their annual GospelCom Conference has been an inspirtation to me.

http://nowtrygod.com - questions and answers about God. Sponsored by Gospelcom.net and the I.E.C.

http://growinginchrist.com - An excelent place to send new believers, sponsored by Campus Crusade for Christ.

http://evangelismtoolbox.com - many evangelism resources.

http://www.digitracts.com/ - online evangelism presentations and resources.

The American Tract Society ( http://www.atstracts.org/ ), The Pocket Testament League ( http://www.pocketpower.org/ ), and The World Home Bible League ( http://www.bibleleague.com/ ) ALL HAVE LOW COST WTNESSING MATERIALS, Great to mail to website visitors...

http://www.everystudent.com/ - For "seeking" college students.

http://cybertracts.net/ and http://fishthe.net/ - have many cyber / online witnessing links and resources.

http://www.christian-web-masters.com/ - Christian Web Master - help and ideas.

http://www.truthmedia.com/ - Web Evangelism / Internet Evangelism training.

http://peggiesplace.com - a good example of what can be done!

Annie's Bee a missionary - http://www.annieshomepage.com/

http://e-vangelism.com - Internet Evangelism Author Andrew Careaga.

http://bible.org - Digital, copywrite free, Bible. Bible Study helps etc.

http://strategicdigitaloutreach.com - Frank Johnson and Dave Dias; a great Web Evangeism Blog.

http://www.newchristian.org.uk/ - Brian Johnson's new believers info.

http://cybermissions.org - John Edmiston's Cyber Mission Training.

http://ie-21stcentury.com/ - Internet Evangelism Conference at Liberty University - DVD and streaming media training available.

http://ourchurch.com -See the "Christian Web Trends" - Paul Steinbruick & others keep you updated on Internet Evangelism Strategies.

http://biblegateway - Add Bible Study resources to your website.

Billy Graham online Spiritual help - http://billygraham.org/SpiritualHelp_Index.asp

Evangelism Explosion - http://www.eeinternational.org/

If you are "cutting and pasting" this resource, don't forget to add:

"The Adventures of a Web Evangelist"

- Web Evangelist Scott Reese shares his thoughts on Web Evangelism - http://webevangelist.blogspot.com .

I plan on adding more Internet Evangelism Resources, but I'm sure this is enough to keep you busy for a while.

These Internet Evangelism ideas are also posted at:

http://webevangelism.net and

http://internetevangelismideas.org .

Please contact me if I can be of a help in any way:

Scott Reese : webevangelist@gmail.com

Search Terms to help people find this Internet Evangelism Blog are: Internet Evangelism, Web Evangelism. online ministry, Internet Ministry, Christian Web Ministries, Internet ministers, internet missionary, internet missionaries, witnessing, evangelism volunteer opportunities, missions, missions committee, share your faith, Net Evangelism, Internet Church, Internet ministries, outreach ideas, witnessing, christian blog ministry, bridge site strategy, online evangelism, apologetic resources, links, resources, ideas, and please pray for us - we want God glorified and His Good News published to this lost world. John 3:16, testimonies, and Romans Road.

International Web Ministry Strategy - UPDATE

We are excited to share that the "International Web Ministry Strategy" that we previously shared here in our blog is now a reality! We appreciate your prayers... God has given us many ideas and we're thrilled to see some of them now coming to fruition.

*We are starting at two locations: Uganda and India!

*We are now helping support fine local pastors in Uganda and India evangelize their communities and also teaming together to develop Web Ministry Strategies and Websites for evangelism and discipleship in India and Uganda.


First, if you haven't already done so, please read my original post:

International Web Ministry Strategy

Since the 1800's and before, the Mission Strategy of most churches was to send missionaries throughout the world to establish churches and do the work of the ministry.
This will always be a viable and important mission strategy.
The world we live in has greatly changed and with these changes come awesome opportunities for sharing the gospel. There is a need for a major paradigm shift to effectively face these changes.


There are three important strategies that a Mission Committee should consider while formulating an effective Mission Strategy in this new world.

Reconciliation Resource Ministries uniquely has combined these three strategies into a single program that can be supported through designated funds to RRM.

WE CALL ESPECIALLY ON THE PROSPEROUS CHURCHES OF THE UNITED STATES TO PRAYERFULLY CONSIDER "RRM's International Mission Strategy":
(It is also our desire that those urban churches that RRM is resourcing, will consider that compared to most churches in the world, you are prosperous. Although the church has many financial needs it, it would be a wonderful thing to start a small mission budget and take part in the wonderful process of taking the gospel of Jesus Christ to the uttermost parts of the world.)

RRM's "International Web Ministry Strategy" incorporates all three mission strategies into one program.

1. SUPPORT OF NATIONAL / NATIVE MISSIONARIES.

* National / Native Missionaries are better equipped for effective ministry. They better understand the culture, customs, and needs of the missionfield. They already have a network of friends and contacts established. They have a hunger and thirsting to know God and to serve them. The old prideful paradigm that native nationals are not educated enough for effective ministry MUST BE THROWN OUT!!!

* it is much more cost effective to support native missionaries. Funds are limited. Consider that for the same amount of funds it would take to send and support ONE new American missionary in a foriegn land, 5, 10,15, OR MAYBE UP TO 75 FULL TIME MISSIONARIES CAN BE SUPPORTED. There are some mission fields where a full time missionary can be supported for only $60 - $100 a month! It depends on the region, but in much of the world, a full time national missionary can be supported for less than $700 a month.

Let me use myself as an example, RRM is only able to provide me with a disaster Health Insurance plan ($7,500 deductible) for me and my family - yet this still costs $550 a month. For the same amount of money to pay for my health insurance coverage, 7 full time native missionaries could be supported at $75 a month, TO SHARE THE GOSPEL IN SOME OF THE POOREST AND MOST OPEN MISSIONFIELDS IN THE WORLD.

Another example, I have a "friend" who ministers in a country where the cost of living is very high. It costs well over $100,000.00 a year for her to teach missionary children and to be a blessing to those she comes across. The same amount of money to support this one American Missionary, over 80 full time native missionaries could be supported at $100 a month, or 16 full time missionaries at $500 a month.

* Please don't mistake what I am saying, "American Missionaries" are of vital importance, and need to continue to be supported! I also believe missionaries should be paid well. When someone is willing to leave the comforts of home and endure the dangers and hassels of the missionfield, the last thing in the world they need to face is financial pressure. When a missionary retires after a life of sacrificial service they should be able to retire in comfort. Workmen are worthy ... a double portion ... What I am saying is that in this world there is a huge disparity on the cost of living. Because of this disparity, full time native missionaries can be supported for a small monthly amount. Churches should consider adding RRM's mission strategy to their mission budget.

* I just got off the phone with Pastor Mark of Uganda, you would not believe how excited he and his congregation are to be receiving $60 a month. They are praising God for my vision and willingness to partner with them - $60 a month, not 600 or 6000.

2. Internet Ministry

We are in the midst of an new communication revolution.

The basic ways people communicate, get information, are entertained, find friends and connect with community are all being changed by the Internet.

Every day more people are turning to their computer (Internet) as their method to seek out news and information.

Evil organizations and causes are using the Internet in powerful ways to further their causes. The church must not be left in the dust on this new technology. Nearly 1 Billion people are online now.

Many American Christians just don't realize just how lost this world is! In much of the world "Christianity" is a small, misunderstood religion.

Internet Evangelism provides a low cost method to get the gospel to the uttermost parts of the world.

There are many strategies and methods for Internet Evangelism. I have devoted entire websites to them so please browse the following links to learn more of the exciting potential of Web Evangelism:
http://bridgesites.org/
http://internetministry.info/
http://internetevangelismday.info/
http://webevangelist.blogspot.com/
http://internetminister.org/ and it's links for information on Internet Evangelism.
http://guide.gospelcom.net/resources/creative.php

3. Collaborative Efforts

For too long there has been a lack of communication and cooperation between good Bible believing ministries. Denominational beliefs are important yet we must embrace and support the entire body of Christ.

Reese's paraphrase of I Cor. 12:21
The eye cannot say to the hand, "I have no need for you, you are not in my denomination!"
And the head cannot sat to the feet, "I don't need you, you are not part of my specific mission organization!"

We need each other. We are teammates not competitors!

Often there are mission organizations ministering in the same area, yet have no communication with each other. We must understand the urgency of the hour and unite under the banner of God's love.

I had a friend to to Iraq to plant churches. In an area like that, when Christians cross paths, they don't spend their time and effort arguing about minor issues. They see clearly the great need of the Nation and work together. They pray for each other and encourage each other.

A priority should be give to our own particular denomination's mission efforts, yet we must also keep our eyes open on the big picture and have a willingness to strategically work together.


Reconciliation Resource Ministries combiines these three mission strategies into a single program.

We call in our "International Web Ministry strategy" and is supported by designated gifts to Reconciliation Resource Ministries, a 501c3 Christian Non Profit Organization.

We are now launching this pilot program and would appreciate your prayers. We would also love to expand this program as soon as we receive a commitment for more designated funds for this project.

We are still working out the details but we are starting with two missionary families, one in India, the other in Uganda. Since both of these missionary families serve in areas of possible persecution we will not place their last names on the Internet. Those who actually support this project through designated funds will be able to actually be in first hand communication with them through email and phone.

Team One - Uganda Africa - Mark & Ruth

While ministering in the Roseland area of Chicago, I had a devine appointment - As I walked out the door of a church I was helping, I saw Bishop Leonard. We talked and I soon found out that he was a minister from Uganda who now was ministering on the North Side of Chicago. We talked and prayed together. I shared with him this mission strategy and have met with him several times discussing it. He has many close contacts in Uganda and visits there regularly. He will help oversee our Uganda Teams. He is an amazing guy, he speaks three languages: English, Luganda, and Chinese; and has been a minister for over 25 years.

Mark and Ruth minister in the city of Kampala, Uganda.

Mark is planting a church. The congregation is now at about 30 and they meet at a local school. They are very active in evangelism and also meeting the felt needs of their community. The church has 4 services a week and the also regularly send out a team to distribute food and to visit those in the hospital.

Ruth works for a Christian organization in town and has access to the Internet there. Lucy also has a B.S. in Communication Skills and speaks three languages: Luganda, French, and English. Lucy will be working with me (Scott Reese - http://internetminister.org/) to develop strategies and websites to minister in Africa.

They are a wonderful, dedicated Christian couple making a difference in Africa.
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We have raised a designated amount of $100 per month for our Uganda Mission Team.
We are grateful to Living Grace Church for pledging $80 per month and an individual $20.
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The basic distribution breakdown will be as follows:

$60 per month to Mark and Lucy to help suppliment their income and provide for special ministry needs.

$15 per month to Bishop Leonard for his help in encouraging and overseeing our Uganda team.

$25 per month towards the expenses of developing and promoting an Uganda Web Ministry as well as covering the transfer to wire the money to Uganda.

We hope to increase funding and also would like to open an "Internet cafe" in Kampala.
For information on what an "Internet Cafe" is, see John Edmiston's website at http://cybermissions.org/ .
We plan on updating you on this project as well as share special needs.

We do have an immediate need of an additional $25 a month to purchase an internetional calling cards to help us in our communication efforts. Although we are looking into Internet phone service options.

Team Two - India - Pastor Jacob & Missionary Murma

I met Pastor Jacob at the Internet Evangelism Conference in Chicago this past September. He spent many months in America raising funds for his ministry efforts in India. Since he spent most fo his time in the Chicago area, I was able to spend a bunch of time with him and develop a deep friendship.

I already have posted three blog articles on Pastor Jacob, the needs of India, and our strategy to help get the GOOD NEWS to India:
http://webevangelist.blogspot.com/2005/11/pastor-jacob.html
http://webevangelist.blogspot.com/2005/10/india-needs-you.html
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We are starting India ministry support at $110 per month.

We are grateful that an individual donated the designated funds for March and April to help jumpstart this project. We are praying that a church or a few Christians will be willing to take on this commitment starting in May.
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The basic distribution breakdown will be as follows:

$45 a month to pay for the Internet Expenses of pastor Jacob. In return, Pastor Jacob will help me develop some ministry websites targeting India. Pastor Jacob will also help over see our team efforts in India, starting with a minister named Murma.

$60 a month will go to missionary Murma. Murma is a dedicated servent of the Lord. He has a wife, Rita, and a daughter. He ministers in one of the poorest areas of India. Murma does not speak English. Murma is very dedicated to evangelizing India and has paid a terrible price for his efforts. Several years ago he was passing out gospel tracts on a train. Religious extremists then attacked Murma and threw him off the train. To this day Murma has lost much of the use of one of his arms as a result of this incident, yet he is not bitter, only more determined to serve his Savior.


(We should remember Murma when we feel fearful to pass out a tract. I also want to add that I believe that passing out tracts and witnessing to strangers are not outdated forms of witnessing. There seems to be such an emphasis on feel good Christianity that personal evangelism is looked down upon as something only for radicals. People are so afraid they might offend someone by telling them the truth. To me it's like someone knowing that a bridge is out but not trying to flag down any approaching cars in fear of being misunderstood.

Just this week I received an email from someone that I witnessed to in the streets over 25 years ago while I was a teenager. She looked me up on the Internet to thank me and also to let me know that not only has she been attending church faithfully these past 25 years but she is also very involved in ministry. She and her husband Pick up and transport about 30 kids from a poverty stricken neighborhood to church every Sunday and she is also the Assistant Woman's Missionary Society President for one of the largest churches in the United States. More on this in a different post...)

Anyway we would like to increase this support and we are praying that the Lord will raise up someone to continue to make our efforts in India possible.

There are many other needs for our India team and there are a host of other National Ministers we'd like to empower as the Lord provides.

Please contact me for more details:
Scott Reese
WebEvangelist@gmail.com

10/16/2011 PS- I now work for Christ Cares not RRM - Also we may choose to work with other missionaries, but the concept is still good and in place.

Please see additional information included in the "comments".


Also, missions, missionary, missionaries, native, national, christian, Internet Evangelism, Web Evangelism, witnessing, are search terms to help people find this post.

Internet Evangelism Day - Free Resources

Internet Evangelism Day is May 7, 2006.

Internet Evangelism Day is A worldwide focus day to help the Church understand effective strategies for online outreach.

Internet Evangelism Day is sponsored by the Internet Evangelism Coalition.

Please pray that the Lord will use this focus day to increase understanding of and participation in Internet Evangelism.

Web Evangelist, Scott Reese, along with http://Internetminister.org will be providing free church bulletin inserts that explain Web Evangelism that can be passed out on this strategic day.

For those following our ministry, this would be a wonderful opportunity to share with others our Internet Evangelism efforts. We have websites that explain various aspects of Internet Evangelism and we will also have http://bridgesites.org live by I.E.Day. At bridgesites.org many practical opportunities will be listed for individuals to get involved in online web evangelism.

Information on the free Church Bulletin inserts and Internet Evangelism Day can be found at:

http://internetevangelismday.info

Additional resources can be found at the official Internet Evangelism Day Website:

http://internetevangelismday.org

Email me if you have any questions,

Scott Reese
WebEvangelist@gmail.com

How to be a Christian

Are you searching for information on how to be a Christian?

Possibly you are curious about Christianity but you really don't have anyone to talk to about it.

Please visit http://howtobeachristian.org .

Not only will you find helpful information, you will be put in contact with a Christian Minister who would love to personally explain not only how to be a Christian, but also help with any other religious questions you may have or situations you are facing.

Whether you are lonely and just need someone to talk to, or if you would like to discuss problems you have with Christians or Christianity, please go to http://howtobeachristian.org .

Ask God to reveal himself to you and determine that you will seek after truth... God is real and He does care... and He will reveal Himself to those who seek after Him with an open mind.

The Bible says in John 3:16, "For God so loved the world that He gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him, should not perish, but have everlasting life." Christ also said that He came to give us abundent (fulfilling) life and a deep abiding peace that can not be fully explained, only experienced.

Christianity is about restoring your relationship with God. It is not just a list of creeds to open and sins to avoid. Our prayers are with you... please visit: http://howtobeachristian.org now.

Thank you,

Web Evangelist, Scott Reese

"How to be a Christian", "How to become a Christian", Christianity, questions about God, questions about religion, "why", "what", proofs, problems, faith, "born again", salvation, saved, are all search terms to help people find this post.