Five Reasons to Engage in Digital Evangelism

We could say that 2020 saw the most remarkable shift in the last 100 years in how people relate to each other. Suddenly confined or limited in their movements, individuals, schools, businesses, churches, and ministries had to pivot to online communication to survive. Then 2021 came along, and we all began to contemplate the perspective of a “normal life.” However, by now, most of us realize that the sudden changes of 2020 are likely to become permanent. This has serious implications for anyone who has a passion for reaching those who are yet without Christ.

PLAN FOR A POST-COVID FUTURE

Whether your country is at the forefront of COVID vaccination or the hope of getting the shot is still months away, I am sure you are dreaming of a future day when all this turmoil will be behind us. For visionary leaders, especially those committed to culturally relevant evangelism, the time to make plans for a post-COVID future is now. The “new normal” will be a tremendous opportunity for the Gospel, and there are five insights that we all need to pay close attention:

1. Online communication is here to stay. Over 300 million people joined the Internet in 2020. Today, 60% of the world population has access to online tools. That means there is an audience of 4.6 billion people ready to hear the Gospel “out there.”

2. Video conferencing is the new telephone. The word “Zoom” has been permanently etched in our collective consciousness. The most popular videoconferencing application has grown from 10 million daily users in 2019 to a staggering 300 million daily users by 2021 (that’s a 2,900% growth). Video calls have become a powerful tool for evangelism and discipleship.

3. Geographic borders are gone. It is possible to share the Gospel or have a discipleship relationship with someone across the globe. Although its effectiveness is still limited, machine translation has overcome even language barriers.

4. Online Communication Facilitates Long-term Engagement. One lesson people learned from having to stay at home is that much can be done from the comfort of your computer or mobile device. We learned that we could engage in discipleship and mentoring relationships using the Internet, multiplying our potential to influence others for the Kingdom of God.

5. People are Desperate for Community. One thing didn’t change; people’s desire to be with each other. Younger generations are even keener on sharing their lives with others online. This provides a unique opportunity to live the Gospel alongside people who still don’t know they have a Savior.

THE GREATEST OPPORTUNITY

The post-pandemic reality presents the Church with the greatest opportunity to fulfill the Great Commission in our generation. If you are reading this post, there is a good chance you are a visionary leader, even if you only lead a handful of faithful Jesus followers. This may be the most significant opportunity you will ever have to make a difference for the Kingdom of God. Others are already doing it. Just like Acts 1:8 tells us, let’s join in and be witnesses, from our Jerusalem, in our Judaea, Samaria, and to ends of the Earth, maybe all in only one day.