Mobile Phones and Other Devices - the Potential For Evangelism
The desire to be in touch with people and information 24/7 has led to the huge growth in mobile cell phones and other mobile devices. Over 90% of the world’s population now lives within a mobile reception area [www.picturebusinessmag.com/story/story.bsp?sid=40913&var=story]. There are about 4 billion mobile phone users (equivalent to more than half the world’s population) and many of these are in the non-western Majority World, often in 10/40 Window countries. There are more mobile phones used in Africa than USA. The mobile systems in Japan and Korea are more advanced than almost anywhere. It is a hugely significant medium. Unlike a computer, a mobile is always with you – an integrated part of you and your lifestyle. Mobile devices are transforming communication and development in the non-Westerm world (see links and video clips in Section 9 below) and also have great potential for evangelism and discipleship.
Read more: http://www.InternetEvangelismDay.com/mobile-outreach.php#ixzz1LjGU83hq
Topics in this Helpful Internet Evangelism Article Include
*Convergence and capabilities
*The Future
*Using mobile devices for evangelism
This includes a topic that is critical now...mobile media ministry. Here is an excerpt...see the link on the bottom for the full article
1. Downloadable bibles, Books and Apps
A wide range of downloadable text Bibles in many languages can be installed on different mobile devices. At one time, these were mainly Java-based, but for modern phones, ‘apps’ are the easiest format to install and use. Thus a Christian can now have access to a Bible at all times because mobile devices are so convenient to carry. You can call up individual verses to share during a face-to-face discussion, or email/text them to others. You can also download and install e-books to read on a growing range of mobile devices using Mobipocket,
Inquirers may also wish to download Bibles or books onto mobile devices. This may have a particular significance in countries where it is not wise to be seen reading a Bible. In the Middle East, many thousands of online Bibles are downloaded each month. Audio Bibles in many languages can also be downloaded onto MP3-equipped mobile devices.
However, people who are not seekers or at least inquisitive, may have no interest in downloading a Bible, and we need other resources that can engage with people ‘further back’.
For not-yet-Christians, it will be strategic to produce seeker-friendly materials with jargon-free introductions and explanations. For instance, a mobile version of John’s gospel (often given away in print form in evangelism) could have an introduction appropriate to seekers, in the way that Pocket Testament League include in their printed gospels. There is huge potential to create such presentations as ‘apps’.
Apps can also be like multi-page websites, and address felt needs or bridge strategy topics, and also act as a portal to draw down video clips or other online content.
Of particular potential for outreach is the comic book. These can be loaded onto mobile devices as sequential picture blocks, complete with sound: full story.
In the West, comic stories can reach children effectively. In some countries, they are also highly popular among adults, particularly the Manga-style in Japan. Training in cartooning, comic production and animation for evangelism is offered by Rox35Media.
It is also easy to subscribe to daily Bible verses, devotionals or audio Bible portions by email, text message, or through an ‘app’. Again, we must point out that their primary application is to Christians, though for some cultures and demographic groups, others do choose to subscribe to these. Some ministries have found success in positioning such daily verses as tips for daily living.
4 Text Messaging
There are many ‘verse of the day’ or mini-devotionals available to subscribe by text message (eg. FourteenFloor). In most countries, these are currently limited to 160 characters. (In Korea however, a service is now available which as well as color graphics and embedded audio, allows 1000 characters.) Of course, portable devices with email capability can bypass this restriction.
While Christians are the predominant users of such daily messages, it is also possible that inquirers may subscribe too, especially if the content is positioned to be seeker-friendly and jargon-free. In addition, Christians can share such messages with friends, through their network of relationships.
Text messaging is being increasingly used in the secular world to share information. Company adverts frequently offer a mobile Short Code number which will automatically send product information to the user. This gives us the potential to offer contact numbers in order to receive Christian information. For instance, church street-side notice-boards (and press advertising or contact cards) can display a Short Code number which will automatically send an invitation and details of the church’s activities. Many mobile users, especially in non-western countries, do not have access to the Web. Shirts That Text Back is an example of this approach.
Text messaging is also used as a followup/inquiry medium in some countries. For instance, 70% of follow-up inquiries for radio programming from FEBA come in as text messages, often with two-way texting discussion for a time after each program.
Read more: http://www.InternetEvangelismDay.com/mobile-outreach.php#ixzz1LjPrfzzh
9. Using Mobile Devices in Developing nations
*Video clips and mini-presentations
An interesting excert from this for street evangelism and written media:
Some groups produce emailable ‘digitracts’ which can also be used with mobile devices.
MP3 audio can also be downloaded (including by podcast) and passed on virally. This can include music, radio programs, or audio shorts specifically made for mobiles. See further discussion on MP3s in section 8.
Outreach street teams, Christian bookshops and churches will increasingly be able to offer such downloads to passers-by using Wifi, BlueTooth (see below) or Short Code Service autoresponder text message. Web outreach sites can also partner with such teams by offering a Short Code autoresponder number that the team can publicize. (Unfortunately, Short Code numbers are usually country-specific.)
----A related feature is a graphic tag, a ‘Quick Response (QR) Code’ square graphic (somewhat like a barcode) that can be added to your website, posters, flyers, etc. A user takes a photo of this mobile tag [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mobile_tagging] with their mobile phone camera, and can then visit the website of your choice. Software to create this fuction is available from, for example, MicrosoftTag [http://tag.microsoft.com] and the www.goo.gl URL shortening service. Expect this easy graphic-to-website functionality, needing no keying-in of an URL, to become very popular. Consider using it as widely as possible, on all printed materials, church streetside noticeboards, car stickers, etc.
Read more: http://www.InternetEvangelismDay.com/mobile-outreach.php#ixzz1LjNFKOj9
*Facebook Evangelism
*Key Resources for Mobile Development
Read more: http://www.InternetEvangelismDay.com/mobile-outreach.php#ixzz1LjK0G6AZ
at Internet Evangelism Day
Under Creative Commons License: Attribution
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