In examining the global landscape, it's insightful to juxtapose the reach of the Seventh-day Adventist Church with that of popular franchises. 151,000 congregations worldwide, the Adventist Church notably surpasses the likes of Subway with 36,592 stores, McDonald's with 40,275 stores and Starbucks with 35,711 stores. Intriguingly, this suggests that for every McDonald's, there are approximately four Adventist churches in proximity. Even when combining the total stores of Subway, McDonald's and Starbucks, Adventist churches still outnumber them globally. Yet, despite this extensive network, the Adventist Church's presence remains less recognized than these commercial brands.
Re-envisioning Our Brand through Digital Evangelism
My engagement in digital evangelism has inspired a vision of the Adventist Church being recognized by our neighbors as a true ally, one that is dedicated to actively praying for the community. In moments of seeking prayer and support, this image will naturally encourage them to turn to the Adventist Church. Incorporating this approach into our digital evangelism efforts, we have the potential to transform the brand image of the Adventist Church, enhancing our ability to spread the Gospel more swiftly and broadly.
Three Lessons: Mobilizing Members, Reachable Digital Evangelism, Revitalizing the Church
Our digital evangelism initiative, particularly the prayer-centered campaign, has taught us three valuable lessons. First, it enables lay members to actively participate in soul-saving efforts. This approach promotes online engagement and guides individuals toward transformative experiences with Jesus. Second, by centering digital evangelism around prayer, we've made it more accessible and reachable.
Initially, the general concept of digital evangelism met with limited enthusiasm, as many didn't see it as their calling. However, integrating prayer—a universally inclusive practice—has significantly increased participation. Lastly, this project has been instrumental in rejuvenating our church. Adopting a hybrid approach, we aimed not only for online engagement but also for bringing individuals into our local church community. This required the active involvement of various ministry teams. For instance, with numerous contacts from the community, visitation teams were formed. An influx of prayer requests invigorated our prayer team, and the community service team addressed numerous physical needs. The welcoming team played a crucial role in greeting new visitors, followed by engaging Bible study groups. Collectively, these efforts have led to a vibrant and revitalized church community.
Faith in Action: Roberto Roberti's Journey
In 2016, Roberto Roberti embraced baptism and joined the Adventist Church in Brazil. His transformation into an Adventist led him to leverage Facebook for spiritual outreach, offering prayers through posts like "I will pray for you." This initiative deeply resonated, sparking numerous requests for prayers and inaugurating Roberto's venture into digital prayer evangelism. Committed to his faith, he consistently prayed for individuals, nurturing ongoing connections.
During his first year as a baptized believer, Roberto's fervent digital evangelism bore significant fruit, evidenced by 45 baptisms. Concurrently serving as a full-time police officer, he steadfastly continued his lay ministry, which has remarkably led to over 1,200 baptisms in the span of eight years.
Roberto's journey, as a layperson adeptly juggling his professional duties and evangelistic passion, stands as a beacon of inspiration.
Let us embrace this digital evangelism and collectively endeavor to disseminate the Gospel.