Contact: Rachel Elwood, Media Relations, World Gospel Mission, 765-671-7255, mediarelations@wgm.org
MEDIA ADVISORY, April 22 /Christian Newswire/ -- World Gospel Mission celebrated Internet Evangelism Day on Monday, April 20, by seeking to equip Christians to proselytize what its Director of Partnership Development Todd Eckhardt calls "the 25th largest unreached people group in the world" -- the residents of the virtual online world known as Second Life.
The nearly century-old mission agency headquartered in Marion, IN is offering a free "crash course" aimed at helping Christians to evangelize online. Eckhardt says the "Virtual Missionary Manual", available for free download at www.virtualmissionary.org, talks about both the opportunities and the dangers inherent in evangelizing online.
"Behind the avatars and profiles are real people, with real dreams, hurts, and the need for the Savior," says Eckhardt. "WGM created the Virtual Missionary Handbook to assist Christians to represent Christ to this lost virtual world. The handbook will challenge you to be intentional about sharing your faith online, and gives you helpful instructions and ideas on being an online missionary -- truly the new mission frontier."
Eckhardt says that this relatively untapped online mission field presents challenges beyond those faced in person-to-person contact. "The search for relationships and community, the ease of access to unhealthy temptations, the relative anonymity and therefore opportunity for secrecy and deception -- these are issues that have to be addressed by those who are interested in sharing their faith online," says Eckhardt. "We think the Virtual Missionary Handbook can help."
Visit www.virtualmissionary.org to learn more about online evangelism and to view and download the free handbook.
About World Gospel Mission
Helping people and churches connect in ministry with believers on six continents is why World Gospel Mission exists. As an interdenominational Christian missionary organization, WGM partners with individuals, small groups, college groups, and churches to develop opportunities to share the love of Jesus Christ through holistic ministry. Learn more at www.wgm.org.
Rachel Elwood, Media Relations
World Gospel Mission
(765) 671-7255
mediarelations@wgm.org
www.wgm.org
