Over 100 million people worldwide have encountered the Gospel through the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association’s (BGEA) internet evangelism ministry called Search for Jesus. BGEA made the announcement as they celebrate Search for Jesus’ 10 years of spreading the Gospel online.
Launched in 2012, Search for Jesus is a ministry that uses the Internet to spread the Gospel. Site visitors can read the Gospel online and interact with volunteers on questions about Jesus, spirituality, and discipleship. Videos, social media and personal online discipleship are available 24/7 to meet the needs of anyone around the world.
Search for Jesus has given us the chance to spread the Gospel like never before. —Mark Appleton, director of internet evangelism for Billy Graham Evangelistic Association
“This is significant because we’re following Billy Graham’s legacy of spreading the Gospel across the globe using every opportunity we have,” said Mark Appleton, director of internet evangelism for BGEA. “The average person spends nearly seven hours a day on the internet, so we want to meet these people where they are.”
In addition to giving access to the truth about the Gospel, Search for Jesus has a network of more than 1,400 trained volunteers to help people grow their faith. These volunteer coaches are available to chat and answer questions in real-time. The internet ministry also offers digital discipleship courses which are created for new believers and an online church locator to connect users to local churches.
“People around the world are hurting. They’re desperate for hope,” the Search for Jesus website says. “… Through this online ministry, our mission field is expanding to reach people we might never reach in person.”
The ministry now started a new website called PeaceWithGod.net that provides answers to various topics and life questions. Common questions such as What happens when you die? and Is God real? are answered in an easy-to-read, conversational tone backed up with passages from the Gospel. At the end of each answer is a prayer and links to other useful tools such as an online coach, discipleship course and connection to local believers.
Appleton declared, “Search for Jesus has given us the chance to spread the Gospel like never before.”
BGEA’s virtual ministry has reached more than three million new believers and they were assisted through their journey to faith. Since its launch, Search for Jesus has expanded to seven languages: English, Spanish, Portuguese, Chinese, Arabic, American Sign Language and Russian.
“We started building this ministry one step at a time, taking steps of obedience and faith in God,” said Appleton. “These people aren’t just numbers, but real, hurting men and women who finally found hope.”
