Churches start finding their way on the Internet
Ministers say going online is a good way to reach out to young people in need of religion.

By Linda Leicht
News-Leader

Youth ministry means finding young people wherever they are, even on the Internet.

Andrew Careaga is a youth minister in a tiny church in Salem, but his ministry reaches out across the globe, thanks to the World Wide Web.

Careaga has written a book to help others use this technology to spread the word of God to young people. “eMinistry: Connecting with the Net Generation” talks about reaching beyond the church that people attend to a virtual church linking people around the world.

“One of the great advantages of the Internet is how it can bring people together,” Careaga says.

Young people especially are going online to play games, find information and talk about issues and concerns.

“This is their medium,” Careaga says. “We need to use this medium effectively.”

“eMinistry” attempts to show youth ministers and others how to do that. It also addresses fears — from learning how to surf the Net to hate groups online — and gives basic tips for using the Internet and ministering to other.

Peggie Bohanon of Springfield, a Web master and Internet editor, recommends “eMinistry” — the book and the concept.

“I am fully convinced that this is the cutting edge of technology that every church should be hooked onto,” says Bohanon, whose Web page, Peggie’s Place, is a Christian ministry site with resources for families, teens and kids. Visitors from 154 countries have logged onto Peggie’s Place.

“These are people who have real needs. They live in a crazy, fractured world. ... If you can offer a little bit of sunlight into the world, I think you are fulfilling your mission.”

That is a mission Bohanon believes needs to be taken into cyberspace.

“I can tell you stories,” she says, leading into one about a girl saved from suicide in a chat room. “She somehow came to my chat room and found God.”

But Bohanon and Careaga both point out that cyberspace alone cannot fill the spiritual need in people.

“I don’t believe that Internet ministry is exclusively what people need. ... They need the human touch,” Bohanon says.

“It’s not the end-all, but it certainly should be one of the tools in our toolbox to minister to people,” Careaga says.

Careaga’s book offers a way to integrate online and on-earth lives. “Why not include your church’s teens in the process (of Internet ministry)? They’re the ones who know the medium best anyway.”

“eMinistry” is published by Kregel Publications in Grand Rapids, Mich., known for its reprints of classical Christian works and a resource for pastors.

Publishing “eMinistry” is part of a change in focus at Kregel to new trade works and new academic and professional works.

“eMinistry” tied in with that change just as it does in the change in Christian outreach that it addresses.

“Here is someone who’s trying to bridge the gap between the online generation” and the people who are trying to minister to them, says Dennis Hillman, publisher at Kregel.

“The Internet is a mission field,” Hillman says. “It takes missionary-minded people to be effective ... people who may not be real comfortable there.”

Hillman is convinced that the Internet is the new communications medium. “How that’s going to impact the church has not yet played out, but there is going to be an impact. ... Andrew is thinking ahead of the curve and trying to get the church to do the same.”

Christianity on the Web

The following Web sites are just a few of the Internet resources available for Christians:

•eministryonline.com

•peggiesplace.com

•internetforchristians.org

•gospelcom.net