In•ter•net E•van•ge•list | ˈin-tər-ˌnet i-ˈvan-jə-list |
1. One who uses the Internet to reach out to people for the purpose of discipling them to Jesus. Through email, chat, web-sites, apps, social media and other related technologies, the Internet evangelist interacts with the public, answering questions, ministering to their heart needs, and seeking to bring them into a saving relationship with the Savior.
2. Any person involved in directly supporting the work of Internet Evangelism; including those who build websites, those who create apps or program, and those keeping the technical infrastructure running.
As with any endeavor, the question must be asked. “What is the secret of success? How must we labor to reap the maximum benefit?” The answer lies in an understanding of human nature and the laws that govern relationships, and in the recognition and implementation of the methods given to us by God through his inspired servants, both in Scripture, and more recently during the establishment of our great end-time movement. The secret of success in soul winning on the Internet, is the same as for any other line of evangelism.
“The greatest success attends those who come in as close relation as possible with those with whom they labor, gain their sympathy and confidence, visit in their homes those who appear interested, and pray with them and for them. In this way only will the direction be followed to go out in the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in.”
White, Manuscript Releases vol. 7, p. 37. (italics supplied)
Traditionally we have thought of personal effort in the context of face-to-face, one-on-one witnessing. But in the Information Age, it is possible to work for people personally, individually and effectively, using communication tools like websites, email, smart phones, and social media. This may be a new thought with some, but it is no less true.
“It is this fireside effort, this home work, that is attended with signal success. Try it, brethren in the ministry. Some of us do not love this kind of labor. We shun it. There is a cross attached to such personal efforts, but this is the labor the people must have if they [are to] embrace unpopular truth. In this close contact with souls who are in darkness, our light may shine more effectually, directly upon the darkness, and they will see by our deportment, our conversation, our solemn yet cheerful, courteous manners, that the grace of God is with us, and that the peace of heaven is brought into their homes. They will be charmed with the truth which is attended with such blessed results.”
ibid. (adapted)
It is possible through the Internet to reach into the very homes of men and women of all walks, in all places; establish deeply personal relationships with them, and thereby create in their hearts a hunger for righteousness which demands fulfillment.
The Savior mingled with men and women, demonstrating by His demeanor that He desired their good. He showed His sympathy for them, ministered to their needs, and won their confidence. Then He bade them, ‘Follow Me.’
White, Ministry of Healing p. 143 (Adapted)
We must emulate the Master Teacher if we are to succeed in our efforts to win souls. But personal effort alone is not sufficient to bring success. We must also recognize our utter dependence upon God. Christ, in his teaching here on this earth, was fond of using nature as a means of illustrating truths of eternal value and importance. The Bible student will find that every aspect of the spreading of the gospel is tied to an object lesson drawn from the pages of the natural world.
Possibly nowhere else in Scripture is this more clearly illustrated than in the lessons drawn by Jesus from the sowing, reaping, and growth of seed. These illustrations are so powerful that Christ uses them repeatedly. “Behold, a sower went forth to sow…”1 “The kingdom of heaven is likened unto a man which sowed good seed in his field…”2 “The kingdom of heaven is like unto a grain of mustard seed…”3 “If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed…”4
Christ’s message is clear, and it applies to all fields of labor—especially Internet Ministry.
“In everything that tends to the sustenance of man is seen the concurrence of divine and human effort. There can be no reaping unless the human heart acts its part in the sowing of the seed. But without the agencies which God provides in giving sunshine and showers, dew and clouds, there would be no increase. Thus it is in every business pursuit, in every department of study and science. Thus it is in spiritual things, in the formation of the character, and in every line of Christian work. We have a part to act, but we must have the power of divinity to unite with us, or our efforts will be in vain. Whenever man accomplishes anything, whether in spiritual or in temporal lines, he should bear in mind that he does it through cooperation with his Maker. There is great necessity of us to realize our dependence on God. Too much confidence is placed in man, too much reliance on human inventions. There is too little confidence in the power which God stands ready to give. ‘We are laborers together with God.’ 1 Cor. 3:9. Immeasurably inferior is the part which the human agent sustains; but if he is linked with the divinity of Christ, he can do all things through the strength that Christ imparts.”
White, Christ Object Lessons p. 82 (italics supplied)
“The secret of success is the union of divine power with human effort. Those who achieve the greatest results are those who rely most implicitly upon the Almighty Arm.”
White, Patriarchs and Prophets p. 509
Humans are the same today as they always have been. Stripping aside the cares, distractions, and perplexities of life, the basic formula needed to successfully reach people in this modern age is still the same—personal one-on-one effort made effective by the blessing and power of God. True, the implementation must be adapted to the change in times, but the essential ingredients to successful soul labor have not changed, and are as immutable as God himself.
So how does one apply these principles to labor online? How is one to engage in a personal relationship with someone half way around the world via a seemingly impersonal medium? We will address these questions in the following posts.
- Matthew 13:3
- Matthew 13:24
- Matthew 13:31
- Matthew 17:20
