Whether they were 12-years-old, or 87, they came from Poland, Luxemburg, Switzerland, Austria and the Czech Republic to the 11th STAonline forum in Muehlenrahmede, Germany Feb. 9 to 12.
Whether they were 12-years-old, or 87, they came from Poland, Luxemburg, Switzerland, Austria and the Czech Republic to the 11th STAonline forum in Muehlenrahmede, Germany Feb. 9 to 12.
The theme? “iMissionary,” with a purpose of training for Internet ministry. Some of the discussions centered around ways of utilizing podcasts and how to use the Internet for Tell The World, a world church initiative that includes many, varied ways of outreach.
Since its establishment 11 years ago, the STAonline organization and its annual meetings have been one of the Adventist church’s pioneers in using new technologies.
Participating in the meeting was Karel Nowak, communication director of the Euro-African region of the church who said that meeting attendees represented “church members who are committed to Internet ministry,” and that its scope would “enhance the mission of the church via the Internet.”
“This forum provides a wonderful opportunity for church members who are committed to Internet Ministry not only enjoy the inspiration of such an event but to further enhance the mission of the church via the Internet,” said Nowak.
“It is encouraging to see so many attend this year,” said president of STAonline, Martin Haase.
Participant Hedi Jaeger remarked, “I am grateful that I attended. I like to learn more about how to make missionary contacts in chat rooms.”
Stephan G. Brass, STAonline vice president, said the forum connects “people so they can meet and share and focus on the missionary aspect of an extraordinary tool that is developing so rapidly.”
Earlier this year, similar interests were expressed during the annual meeting in Las Vegas, Nevada, of the ASI Technology Committee of the Adventist-Laymen’s Services and Industries in the North American region of the church. Attendees recommended pursuing “one-on-one evangelism in the Internet chat rooms, and on Instant Messaging.” The committee expressed a wish to hire “Internet evangelists or Internet Bible workers,” according to Dan Houghton, chairman of the ASI group.
During the Jan. 9 meeting, the group recommended that the next international forum of the Global Internet Evangelism Network [See: ]http://gien.adventist.org/] plann,ed for Aug. 31 to Sep. 3 in San Diego, California, discuss a development of a “track on how to empower individuals to do evangelism in the realm of the Internet, including e-mail correspondence, online Bible studies and chat rooms.”