We continue our series of guest blog articles written by missionaries telling how the Internet impacted their ministry. Today’s blog article is written by Brian Kirschenbaum, who spent 9 years bringing the gospel to Slovakia. He writes about how the Internet was a blessing while overseas. Plus he describes the challenges of feeling overwhelmed by all the possible ways to communicate via the Internet and having to make decisions about how he would use the Internet so it would help his ministry rather than burden or detract from it.
Brian writes:
I have said it over and over again the past 8 years, “I could not have imagined being a missionary only 15-20 years ago without e-mail or the internet.” Ever since we moved to Slovakia in 1999, e-mail and our website have been our lifeline to our support back home and the internet has become a vital tool in reaching young people for Christ.
When we first moved to Slovakia in 1999 our internet connection was only 14.4 on a good day. Even with such a slow connection I cant tell you how encouraging it was when we got a reply back almost immediately to a prayer request we had sent by email only minutes before. While I tried to stretch the technology with our website with things like animated gif’s and even flash, it was the basic message that kept us connected with our family back home. In those “early” days of our time overseas, the focus was to get a communication out not on how it looked. The impact, or readability, or even much of the visual content was not as vital as just getting something out. That is not the case today.
The world and especially the virtual world has changed. It seems that nearly everyone is somewhat media savvy. If what we want to share is lost in the overpopulated world of the web, than what impact can our communication have? As I have read in other blogs on the subject, the job of maintaining our own website or even creating creative and interesting e-mails has become completely overwhelming. In this environment I have learned that it is vital to rely on the technology that others have created to make my life simpler. Even though I have learned to code and knowhow to create my own content management system (CMS), that is not my primary job. If others have done it why should I duplicate it?
I have learned to relinquish complete control over every aspect of my communication. My goal now is only to learn what the capabilities are and how to use it both in personal and ministry communications. Using a CMS has allowed others to be involved and freed me to focus on the direct ministry we are called to. It has also given us the flexibility in ministry that is attractive to students who are constantly on the web. I hope to be able to do the same with our personal site.
We are currently on staff with the Military Ministry branch of Campus Crusade for Christ. Although we are no longer overseas, we are still in ministry and hope to remain connected with our family and friends here in the U.S. and back in Slovakia. We are so thankful for all those partners who help us do our ministry and make it possible to cary the message of Christ creatively around the world.
God bless you for your partnership and support.
In Him,
Brian, Gigi, Kayli and Chase Kirschenbaum
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Brian Kirschenbaum and his family have just returned to the U.S. after serving in Slovakia. You can read more about them on their website.
If you are/were a Christian missionary and would like to write a guest blog article about how the Internet impacted your ministry, please contact us through our help desk. For more information about other Christian missionaries see OurChurch.Com’s Missions Mashup.
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Life of Light and Darkness
“If, therefore, the light that is in thee, be darkness, how great is that darkness.” (Mathew 6:23)
Well if I just write it like this, “If, therefore, the darkness that is in thee, be light, how great is that light.” Life of man normally is a mixture of light and darkness. Still the life of a number of persons is totally dark; but the life of a few persons is all light. Jesus warns man against darkness (Luke 11: 35). Man considers his light as the real light of life, but his supposed light is actually all darkness, and if all his supposed light is not light but only darkness, then all his life is full of total darkness.
The question is what then darkness is? The evil works of man are darkness. According to Eph. 5: 6-7, 11 Darkness denotes the sins, evil and unfruitful works of darkness. The darkness of sin is sheathing the life of man and lurking inside his life creating a great threat to The Light of his life. Due to sin man has lost his holiness of soul and spirit. It is a spiritual blindness getting possession of the spiritual eyes of man’s soul. Rev. 3: 17-18 Therefore the presumed light of man is darkness which is deceiving his life.
There is no contact between Light and Darkness. Worship of all abomination of desolation is darkness and sin. (Mathew 24: 15). All the gentile gods & goddesses, all idols and devilish religions and their signs are abomination of desolation which are the cause of darkness in the life of men (Isa. 44: 19, 2- king 23: 13). “Ye cannot drink the cup of The Lord, and the cup of devils: ye cannot be partakers of The Lord’s table, and of the table of devils.” (1-Corinth. 10: 21). If you are a partaker of devils your life suffers from total darkness and no light is left in your life. “——for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? And what communion hath Light with darkness? And what Concord hath Christ with Belial? Or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? And what agreement hath The Temple of God with idols?” (2-Corinth. 6: 14-16). The Temple Of God must be full of light and not Darkness. And you are the temple of God. The darkness turns your temple into the temple of devil. (Ezek. 8: 6, 12).
“Take heed, therefore that the light which is in there be not darkness. If thy whole body therefore be full of light, having no part dark, the whole shall be full of Light,” (Luke 11: 35-36). Therefore to gain The Light of Life you must do as it has been prophesied to do :- “And if thou draw out thy soul to the hungry, and satisfy the afflicted soul; then shall thy light rise in obscurity, and thy darkness be as the noonday.” (Isa. 58: 10). He must believe the words of Jesus, “—–I am the light of the world; he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.” (John 8:12). “—–Light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. ——But he that doeth truth cometh to the light.” (John 3:19-21). Only the light of Jesus has the power to vanish away your darkness. If you have some darkness with your light, come to Jesus Christ. He shall cast away your darkness and shall turn your whole life in “A Temple of Light.”
Composed by: – Joseph Babu Singh (M. A., B.T.)
The best wishes and blessings from: – Evg. Jashobeam Singh (Proprietor) Christ’s Vision
Request: – If God moves your heart please send us more E-mail addresses for sending these messages of Lord Jesus Christ all over the world.
E – mail:- christvision@hotmail.com & jashobeamsingh@hotmail.com
Gospel is Our Life Work
Dear brO in Lord
We will walk in the Name of the LORD Our GOD for ever and ever Micah 4:5
Our work is only preach to the gospel at places is will of God only. Our aim is spirits only and also prayers is only spirits . Our aim is Spread the Gods Words the entire World. First we Started at Anantapur AP India. Our future work is we will Sent the Gospel teams as a will of God Through out India. Pray for us and very imp all your faithfully prayers our life we ask only your prayers. I never married total my life using Gods work only and God is my breath. I and Lord Jesus Gos to the Nepal Country and Himalaya Mountains may be next year 2009
I have meat to eat that ye know not of John 4:32,,His spirit was stirred in him acts 17:16,,And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men un to me John 12:32
We were Preach the Gospel at ** That have not my fame, neither have seen My Glory; and they shall declare my glory among the Gentiles Isaiah 6: 19 **
Our aim is Spread Gods words to the 1. Scheduled Tribes , Scheduled Casts Peoples, Back word peoples (areas)
2.Villages, Streets, and more
3. Stickers (Gods words), Posters (Gods words)
4. pump lets, Gospel of John and Small Bibles Distribut
5.Our aim is only spirits (Who known Don` t about Jesus) Etc
Bro now decided to extend my service to god in the Tribal areas, Non Christian Religious like Hindus, Muslim Communities and in educational institutions, Bus terminals etc who ever not even known Jesus Christ. we have dedicated our lives ,our time and totally our selves to Serve the God in all aspects of all God willings and to worship to god.Dear Bro what ever may be we will ask to you valuable and faithfully prayers very imp our life. We were asking to you and need your all prayers very imp our life So please pray for Heavenly Father Our Work. We will hope you will be pray for Lord for Our purpose we believe Lord Jesus with us He is Our President, He is Our Guide, He is Our way, He is our helper, He is Our Strength, He is a founder The Word of His Grace Because * who hath directed the Spirit of the LORD, or being his counselor hath taught Him Isaiah 40:13*
What ever may be Praise to Our Mighty God. Pray for us I dry bone only. You know the everything so your prayers very imp my life. I never married I useing my life total Gods work only And God is my Breath.Sir I Thinking only how satisfied Lord Jesus in my life. *but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever. 1John 2:17* But every one that is perfect shall be as his master Luke 6:40
O LORD: but let them that love him be as the sun when he goeth forth in his might. Judges :310
My hearty congratulations to your Ministry Spreading the Gods words entire in the world. Lord smelled a sweet savour through your ministry. Praise to our Living Saviour Lord Jesus Christ. Amen! Amen.
http://thewordofhisgrace.jimdo.com
Yours truly in Lord Jesus,
V.JOSHUA
Dear Beloved In Christ,
Don’t fear nor discourage for He that is in you is greater and bigger that mountain or problem you are facing.i want assure you that He’ll never allow your head to bow in shame.this word is laid in my heart for you that is on the mission field.you are blocked on every side and discourage.remember the story of David.inspite of the disappointment and rejection by his people, the bible said he did one thing which i would counsel you to do the same and that is encouraging yourself in the Lord.bear in mind that the consolation of God is not small.Can you say it aloud that He that is in you is greater than that pain in your life.i see joy and morning returing in your life again.remember every problem has a life span and your God is forvever.pls, think of it.read Hebrews 13:8,Heb 1:10-12.you are blessed.
Rev.Daniel And Felicia.Tochi, Independent Missionaries In Tsevie Togo
BP 214,TSEVIE,ZIO
TOGO
TEL:00228 922 79 23
EMAIL:blctogo@holyfire.com
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Heya! I'm at work browsing your blog from my new iphone 4! Just wanted to say I love reading your blog and look forward to all your posts! Carry on the great work!
hello, my name is Rodrigo 23 year old and i want started to tell something, ok?… My english it is not perfect but i try to explain me… I'm living in Mexico, Playa del Carmen Quintana Roo, and the holy spirit it is moving in a incredible ways in here, the interesting is that it's happening in the young people, 2 months ago one pastor say that we need to pray for the missioners that living in Eslovaquia and I want to let it knows that i doing… please if everyone can deliver the menssage to them please do it!!!… my name is Rodrigo de Jesus Duran Ramirez and my facebook it Rodrigo Duran Ramirez, please add my. God bless your ministeries!!!