The following information is about the Online Evangelism Project. The fundamental goal of this project is to provide an online resource for the Church’s use. Our aim is to empower congregations of the Lord’s Church to be active in evangelism, especially in reaching people by current online means.

We are making an informational packet available as a downloadable PDF by clicking here. We encourage you to share this packet with your congregation’s eldership or men involved in evangelism programs.

The information found below is divided into the following sections:

If this project sounds like an opportunity in which your congregation would like to participate, then please contact World Video Bible School by email: Biblestudy@wvbs.org.

Section 1: Overview:

• You probably are aware or already using some of our DVDs, such as Searching for Truth, What Must I Do To Be Saved?, or Why Are There So Many Churches?

The Searching for Truth DVD program was produced with the thought in mind of the great filmstrips of the past that did so much good in teaching the Gospel. It was made to be used by the Lord’s church to spread the Gospel and teach the lost. The six lessons include: 1) About the Truth; 2) About the Creator; 3) About Authority in Religion; 4) About the Church; 5) About the House of God; 6) About Baptism.

Since its introduction (2006), the Searching for Truth DVD and book has seen great success. Over 900,000 DVDs and 90,000 printed books – approximately 1 million pieces of teaching material.

• What is the Online Evangelism Project?

In an effort to increase the online opportunities for presenting and communicating the Gospel, WVBS has developed online, distributable versions of our evangelism material.

This online portal can be utilized by individual congregations as their own means of initiating contact and following-up with people who are searching for answers 

Is there a need for Online Evangelism methods?

Current Goals:

Section 2: How Does It Work?

The invited visitor will be able to:

As a participating congregation, you will:

 What is not required:

Section 3: How can your congregation get started?

Step One: The congregation leadership will need to decide to make a commitment to the project for its time and cost.  They will need to select a person or persons to be responsible for monitoring and answering email inquiries from visitors to the website.

Step Two: A congregation representative will need to contact WVBS to establish a “Searching for Truth” URL identifier (see example below).

For Example: www.SearchingForTruth.org/SW.tx  identifies the Southwest church of Christ in Texas.

The congregation will also need to provide WVBS with an email address where visitor’s questions will be sent.

Step Three: The congregation will need to determine in what ways they will promote and inform the local town or community that this website is available. Most current evangelism efforts can be integrated with this online effort.

For example:

• The congregation can supply business-size Invitation Cards (see example on page 6) for members to use as tract-like hand-outs.

• For these types of Invitation Cards, WVBS has available the artwork and printer contacts to assist in obtaining these cards.

• If the congregation uses the House to House, Heart to Heart mail-out service, then they can also advertise their SeachingForTruth.org address in this publication.

• Additionally, you may consider a flyer or postcard-sized mail-out advertising the website for the zip codes in your surrounding area.  House to House has the ability and is prepared to help you accomplish this special type of mailing. Contact Luke Griffin for information (phone: 256-435-9356 or email: luke@housetohouse.com)

• You can rent a billboard sign advertising the web address, or use a marquee sign.

• You can run an ad in the newspaper.

• You can canvas a neighborhood area putting the cards in door hanging packs.

• You can have members place the unique web address on their own Facebook pages, websites, or blogs to share with their friends.

• You can promote the web address on the congregation’s TV or Radio programs if this avenue is available.

• You can link directly from an established congregational website

Section 4: What is the Cost?

With this project, WVBS has out-of-pocket expenses to pay to setup and maintain this material online (web addresses, website services, video services). If you or your congregation can help with this, then these funds will be set aside for this purpose only.

 WVBS is asking congregations to help by:

1. Providing a one-time setup-fee of $10/site to establish the congregation’s unique identifier and return email address.
-There are 4 sites offered: SearchingForTruth.org, BeingSaved.org, WhyAreThereSoManyChurches.com, and WhereAfterDeath.org

2. Provide an annual fee of $30/year (pro-rated for the first year) to maintain use of the website.

Comparing current costs:

Searching for Truth DVDs are available for $1 each (when ordering 20+), and study guides are $3.50 each (when ordering 20+), which can be distributed to one individual/family each reaching 3-10 people per ten dollars.

Currently, $30 for one year of online video has no limitations on the number of viewers. Could your congregation “Spread the Word” to hundreds or thousands of people?

Thanks for your help and interest!

Appendix:

Invitation Cards: Are business-sized cards designed to be a convenient and inexpensive way for someone to share the information contained in a video. They can be given to family members, friends, co-workers or anyone who might be interested in viewing the materials.

For other examples and more information about invitation cards used with specific projects see: store.wvbs.org/product/invitation-cards