Internet Evangelism Day Announced; Prayer for Virginia's Governor

“The last 15 years have changed our world for ever,” claims Tony Whittaker, co-coordinator of Internet Evangelism Day. “Digital media are transforming the way we communicate, behave and even think. If Facebook was a country, it would have the fourth largest population in the world.”

Internet Evangelism Day is a strategic resource to help the worldwide church understand these issues and use the Web to share the good news. It is both a year-round online guide and an annual focus day - to be held this year on Sunday, April 25.

Churches are encouraged to use Internet Evangelism Day resources to create a presentation for their members on or near that Sunday (or at any other time they choose). The IE Day site offers free downloads: PowerPoint, video clips, handouts, drama scripts, music and posters. These enable any church (or homegroup, college, or conference) to build a customized program, lasting from five minutes to fifty.

2010’s focus day will be the sixth to be used by churches around the world since the initiative’s launch in 2005. Over this period, digital media have developed dramatically, with the advent of YouTube, Facebook and Twitter, and the growing use of mobile phones to access online services.

The outreach opportunities have multiplied too.

IE Day’s website is also a one-stop resource covering many subjects, including how to build a church website that is ‘outsider friendly’, using Twitter in evangelism, and blogging. Perhaps surprisingly, you do not need to be technical to share your faith online. And you can volunteer to be an email mentor to inquirers with several large online outreach ministries.

Internet Evangelism Day is an initiative of the Internet Evangelism Coalition, based at the Billy Graham Center, Wheaton. It is supported by a wide range of leaders and groups. “I am glad to commend Internet Evangelism Day,” says John Stott.

For more help, visit the website:
http://www.internetevangelismday.com/

Internet Evangelism Day online resources include:

A new guide on how to avoid ‘Christianese’ jargon:
http://www.internetevangelismday.com/preaching-effective-sermons.php

‘Desperately Seeking Lodgers’ - a short story illustrating the pitfalls of church websites: http://www.internetevangelismday.com/church-evangelism.php

Self-assessment questionnaire for church websites with free personalized report: http://www.internetevangelismday.com/church-site-design.php

How to use popular culture as a starting point in evangelism: http://www.internetevangelismday.com/popular-culture.php

Speaker panel offers a range of speakers qualified to address college students, seminars and conferences:  http://www.internetevangelismday.com/speaker.php

Digital Evangelism Issues - the blog for IE Day:
http://www.internetevangelismday.com/blog/

Virginia Governor Takes Office in Atmosphere of Prayer

Guest bloggers Vernell Fitzgerald and Marcia Kinslow were on the scene in Richmond, Virginia for the recent Inaugural Prayer Breakfast for Virginia Governor Bob McDonnell and they post this report.

This was not your usual political event. It was the most well attended prayer breakfast we’ve seen in a while! There was a sense of the presence of God at this breakfast. 

Congressman Randy Forbes welcomed everyone to the Inaugural Prayer Breakfast and gave us a charge to pray for our government.  The Attorney General-elect, Kenneth T. Cuccinelli, II led an opening prayer that included intercession for Haiti; being open to God’s will; increasing our faith; being made in God’s image; and the future of our families. We were impressed! Rabbi Zoberman read the 150th Psalm in both English and Hebrew. It was enough to bring tears to our eyes.

Pastor Joe Ellis recognized Pat Robertson as a father in the faith which elicited a standing ovation. Pastor Ellis also requested from Dr. Robertson an honorary degree before he retired. With this, the crowd broke out with laughter. 

The Virginia Lieutenant Governor, William T. Bolling, reminded us that, “Government was established to protect the rights God gave to every man.”  He also spoke highly of the incoming Governor. “Bob is an effective leader with character and principals of a good and decent man. This state will do well if we have good and decent men like our out-going governor, Tim Kaine and Bob. I look forward to serving with him.”

Governor-elect Bob McDonnell opened by thanking everyone for our prayers for him, his wife and five children. Bob made many statements of faith that were quite compelling. He indicated the importance of faith, that we are people under authority and that our blessings and authority comes from our Almighty God. McDonnell made pleasant remarks about Governor Kaine, which were refreshing.

The new governor affectionately told us about his painting of George Washington on his knees at Valley Forge in prayer.  Bob stated that the faith of our founding fathers leading in prayer showed that God really is the Supreme Judge & Ruler. George Washington revealed it’s impossible to govern without God and the Bible. Bob indicated that there was no better way to start than with prayer. He indicated that liberty, freedom, and the golden rule were part of the birthright of our nation as well as to be just fair, and do right. 

Bob’s mother was an evangelical preacher’s daughter who always taught him to follow the golden rule; always be kind; and don’t burn bridges. The governor said that he recognized that the Lord came to serve rather than be served. Bob shared that he’s praying for the Wisdom of Solomon, whereas last year he prayed for finances. This comment caused the room to break out into laughter. We were also amused at his comment, “We were not fighting the British, but just a few Democrats.”

We had the keen sense that this was a humble, yet confident man who believed in God, family and country. He also conveyed that prayer was needed to keep this country going!

Father Dan Brady gave an awesome closing prayer that inspired us to pray, pray, pray for Governor Bob McDonnell and his wife, Maureen, for the next four years!

A final note from Marcia Kinslow: "I had the opportunity to make my way down front to speak with our newly elected governor and his wife, Maureen. She afforded me the opportunity to pray with her while she hugged me. It was an honor to pray for her. I was impressed with the fact that they both love and remember people that they’ve met throughout their lives. His expression of appreciation was sincere and not just politically correct. Bob and Maureen McDonnell are sincere believers who covet our prayers. They are warm and welcoming. What an awesome example of the faith to have in the Virginia Governor’s mansion!

Learn more about Governor Bob McDonnell