Over three years ago, I began my internet ministry. I had been online for about a month when I decided that the potential for ministry on the internet was something I wanted to explore. Knowing that my internet service provider had allocated 5 megs of space for me to build a web site, I decided it was time to learn how to build a web page.  So with Netscape Gold and the official Netscape Gold guide to creating web pages, I began.

My first web page was 1 page...and not very creative. I called it PASTOR JEFF'S PLACE (all caps...not realizing yet that all caps was the equivalent of shouting on the internet and considered rude). I think it was over a month before I got my first visitor (besides myself, of course....as I was checking it constantly). But over time, my understanding of the internet, Web page editors, internet programming languages, and all the rest has grown. As the hits to my page have increased, so has my vision for the potential of internet ministry.

I'm always intrigued by the email I receive. It reveals that I'm getting people from all over the world to visit my neighborhood. I always love the emails from Russia or Eastern Europe that I have to spend some time deciphering.  I hear from teenagers looking for advice, people looking for information on Martial arts and finding Ninja Evangelism, Pastors who need encouragement, people with theological questions, people who are searching for truth, people who think they've read some of my books (in spite of the fact, I haven't written one yet), people who just needed a good laugh.

My favorite one actually was a woman who wrote because she had found my "Violet Flame Study Bible Page" when she was doing a search for "Benny Hinn"(you gotta love that...search for Benny Hinn...find the Violet Flame Study Bible Page.)  She had been involved in "Violet Flame Studies at the St. Germaine Foundation for three years" (I'm quoting).  At first she didn't know what to think--after all I was making light of something she had spent years studying.  She was intrigued that my terminology so closely reflected her teacher...and she was clearly searching...  So she emailed me...and we had some interesting dialogue via email.  You just never know who is going to see your page.

The internet has opened doors to ministry that I wouldn't be able to have any other way.  The future potential is even greater as more and more people connect to the internet.  Have you considered an internet ministry?  Let me encourage you to try it,  it's not that difficult to learn and the potential and rewards are worth the effort.

I'm going to be writing a series of articles on how to get started with a ministry web page in the coming months... so stay tuned....

With Joy,

Pastor Jeff

Step One: Defining Your Purpose: The Key to a meaningful website.
 

Pastor Jeff's Neighborhood
Faith Alliance Church
New Hope Ministries

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