Chrisitan Missionaries Convert to New Media
I found a blog post from a few months ago titled “Christian Missionaries Convert to New Media” on the Digital @ Leadership Network blog. Since this is one of the concepts I love to talk about — or scribble ideas about on napkins — here’s a snippet from the blog entry followed by my thoughts:
No doubt you’ve spent enough time online to have discovered some of the great examples of missionaries who are using the new media for ministry purposes. In fact, as globalization crosses the digital divide, more and more missionaries will migrate online.
Today’s missionaries are using blogs, Facebook, Shutterfly and other social media to extend their connectedness, reward their supporters and create archived memories of their unique adventures. Whether missionaries are serving on short term teams or serving in long term posts, they need no longer be disconnected from their points of origin, hometowns, partners, sending churches, extended families, etc. In fact, if they have internet access, there’s virtually (no pun intended) no reason they can’t be very connected.
My thoughts:
1. As a missionary who’s been using various social media tools for three years now, I can attest to the growing number of missionaries using blogs, Facebook, Flickr, YouTube, etc. to stay connected with supporters and cast vision for their ministries. It’s a growing trend. And it’s to the benefit of the missionaries in the field and their families, supporters, and sending churches at home.
2. In the blog entry on Digital @ Leadership Network, the author goes on to list some of his favorite missionary blogs. A few of my favorites are below. But first, here’s the most comprehensive list of missionary bloggers I know of: Missionary-Blogs.
3. Now, some of my favorite missionary blogs:
- Costa Rica Medical Missions
- More of You, Less of Me
- The Greene Family
- Eoff Edventures
- Alan and Beth in Nicaragua
- Dana’s Avenue
- Jonathan’s McBlog
- CAREY’N ON
And two to watch for soon:
What are some of your favorite missionary blogs (and why)? What are some creative ways missionaries can use social media to stay connected…and reach the world for Christ?
Rheagan said:
I am so greatful you guys use those resources to keep me informed. You guys are the coolest couple
Missions 2.0: Spreading the Gospel using Social Media | Christian Creative Digital Communications « Compassion in Politics: Christian Social Justice, Non-Profit Organizations, and Life Theology said:
[...] guide, but very helpful. • The Blogging Church by Brian Bailey is an excellent read • Mission Minded has a great post about social media in missions • You’ll find more church specific tech and [...]