Churches are booting up for virtual ministry next month. May 7, 2006, has been designated as worldwide Internet Evangelism Day this year, according to a news release from the Internet Evangelism Coalition. A group of ministries, churches and individuals believe Internet Evangelism Day will highlight the potential of using the Internet to share the gospel and create awareness of what is already happening online evangelistically. 

The Internet Evangelism Coalition (www.webevangelism.com) is endorsing the day with members of the Coalition helping facilitate the development of resources. 

Dr. Sterling Huston, Chair of the Coalition and director of special ministries for the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, emphasizes that the Internet "offers churches, Christian organizations and individuals an amazing and rapidly expanding opportunity to share the good news of the gospel with a world in need." 

Other Christian leaders share his enthusiasm. Rev. Doug Birdsall, chair of the Lausanne Committee for World Evangelization, says Internet evangelism represents one of the great new evangelism opportunities of our time.

"It is essential we maximize this opportunity to reach those beyond the hearing of the gospel," Birdsall said. "Millions of young people spend hours each week on the Internet. We need to find ways to get positive, life-changing messages to them–particularly the good news of Jesus Christ."

George Verwer, founder of Operation Mobilization said the Internet should be used as a ministry tool.

"The Internet is one of the most key tools that God has given us in the church today," Verwer said. "Internet Evangelism is a dynamic, effective, cutting-edge ministry that more people should get involved in."

Under the leadership of Tony Whittaker (Web Evangelism Guide Editor - www.web-evangelism.com ) and others, the Internet Evangelism Day Web site (www.internetevangelismday.com) promotes Internet evangelism and the day and offers resources for an effective emphasis on it. 

Whittaker says Internet Evangelism Day encourages broader and more effective use of the Internet for outreach and motivates churches "to create new Web sites, or modify existing pages to become user-friendly and enticing to non-Christians in the community." 

In addition, he said he hopes the day will inspire more Christians into Web outreach as they create new evangelistic sites and support existing online ministry through e-mail counseling and discipleship. Whittaker underscores that Web evangelism is for anyone, not just the technically skilled. "There are many ways to share your faith online, without any technical background at all," he said.

Resources on www.InternetEvangelismDay.com include ways to develop and enhance evangelism-focused Web sites, Church Web sites, blogs and chat room ministry, and tools to assist churches (and others) in creating their own short emphasis on or near Internet Evangelism Day.