ADVANCING MISSIONS THROUGH ICT By Andrew Abah

Advancing missions through information and communication technology with emphasis on the internet was one of the major subjects of discussion at the 2006 African Missions Summit. At the summit, we observed how the internet is changing the way the world communicates and its significance for missions.

It was also observed that web growth in countries like India and China is amazing and not just for rich Western nations. Users in China have grown from 10 million in 2000 to over 100 million now. Much of South America and Asia has rapidly become a 'Wired' community and Africa is fast joining.

Missions can be advanced through information and communication technology· Below are some of the ways:

. One on one personal interaction by email or in a 'chat room'
· 'Streamed' instant sound or video increasingly effective as access speed increase

The Web also helps Christian workers and organization to network and share information in ways and at speeds which were never previously possible. An urgent prayer request can now travel the world within minutes and be replicated a thousands times over.

Challenges for prayer

· More evangelistic sites. Although many Christian organizations and churches use the web to communicate with their own constituencies, there are relatively few web sites specifically designed for non Christians readers. Pray for more Christian to realize the Web's potentials for cutting edge outreach.

English is still the largest language on the Internet, but others are growing fast. Hundreds of millions of person use English as their first language, and many more read it well enough to access English web pages. But billions do not, and sadly, in most languages, there are very few evangelistic websites pray for more. Chinese, Japanese and Arabic area big need.

· Empowerment at home. Online evangelism is not just for Christian organizations. One person can touch the world from home, you could be young, retired, disabled or shy. The Web is a great leveler.

· The Middle East. There is relatively free Internet access throughout the Middle East (except Saudi Arabia). This allows Muslims to consider the claims of Christ in a non - threatening, anonymous way. Pray for more specialist web ministries to Muslims.

· Pornography. It is impossible to completely stop online pornography at its source. Pray for Christians and others fighting this problem, both at organizational and personal levels.

· Finance. One reason that relatively few Christian organizations produce websites is that, unlike literature or video, there is no 'product' to sell and therefore no way to recoup production expenses. Pray that Christians may realize the potential of the web and support evangelistic web ministries with their giving.

· Discipling. As with radio ministry, the follow-up of distant converts is a problem. However, the web allows for easy way email discipling and counselling. There is much online material for new Christians. There is a growing international, cyberspace community of believers, which is of great help to those who are isolated.

· Mobile wireless access to the Web. Over one billion persons now have web access through mobile cell phones and handheld devices. Pray for new evangelistic strategies using this medium.

· Chat rooms. Millions of people access online 'chat' daily. Sensitive witness by Christians in chat rooms is bearing fruit Pray for more Christians to take up this ministry.