Busting 5 myths About Online Evangelism

Talking to Christians about online evangelism has brought up quite a few misperceptions about sharing the gospel online. When you think of online evangelism, have you ever fallen prey to any of these myths?

Myth #1 - People don't search for spiritual things online.

Truth - Millions of people each day conducted spiritual searches online. Although we must assume that these relate to all types of religions, including searches for horoscopes, fortune telling, and similar New Age issues, we have seen huge response to the gospel message online with thousands of people each day indicating a decision to follow Jesus.

Myth #2 - You can't be a missionary online - you need to go to the people and see them face to face.

Truth - With over 5,000 "online missionaries" answering more than 1.8 million emails in 2009, this myth has been debunked. But let's hear it straight from the people who answer these emails each day. One OM told us: "For health reasons I am limited in the ways I can serve so this is just great for me. I can do this at any hour, when I feel well, and am not tied to a roster. I have enjoyed the privilege of praying for people all over the world and I am sure I have grown in the process." Or how about this comment, "I am thoroughly enjoying this and I have a made one good friend so far through doing this. I am a bit shy in sharing my faith face to face, even though I have done that before. This means really frees me up to boldly share Christ with people."  The truth is online missionaries are sharing their faith with people all over the world, every single day, without ever leaving their home.

Myth #3 - You have to be trained in theology to share the gospel online

Truth - Again, our online missionaries have debunked this one. With an online Bible, time to pray about the response, a database with answers and scriptures to almost any question AND a Community Leader backing you up, Christians with all levels of Bible knowledge can share with others online.

Myth #4 - You don't know who is saying "Yes" to Jesus online, so how do you know it is real?

Truth - Just as in a tent revival, someone raising their hands doesn't always mean that Jesus has come into their life. But because our online missionaries personally respond to the emails that come in, we have a pretty good sense of how many people are following through on their decision. The comments these new believers make to our online missionaries says it all: "One man told me that he felt that there was no one out there for him, he said that he had sent emails to multiple websites and no one answered any of his questions, but now that I answered, he feels that he is not alone and that there is someone out there who cares and who is praying for him!"

Myth #5 - I don't know how to use computers very well, so how can I be an online missionary?

Truth - The great thing about the response system the online missionaries use is that it is so easy! If you can send an email, you can share your faith online.  We have online missionaries of all ages, all walks of life and all technical skill levels. But the key is not the system, it is in the sharing with others.