• Skip to content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

The Seabourns

  • Home
  • Blog
  • About Us
  • About God
  • Give

Internet Seminar: Antonio shares his story

August 5, 2006 by Keith Seabourn Leave a Comment

Internet Seminar: Antonio shares his story
“I’ve tried to believe but when I step back and look at it all I just can’t. I’ve been struggling for at least 3 years now. Who is there to talk to about this sort of thing? I’m surrounded by churches but get nervous whenever I think about going into one to ask.”

Antonio, a university student in London left this message after visiting a Campus Crusade website called http://GodLovesTheWorld.com on 19 February 2006.

This week, I met Antonio, shook his hand, and heard his amazing story.

His story is not only amazing, but his story is increasingly less unique. There are thousands of stories like Antonio’s, and they are increasing!

Antonio’s plea for help was passed along to Roger, an on-line volunteer. Roger responded and recommended some verses to read and websites to visit. Soon he received the following message from Antonio: “Thank you very much for your reply. The sites you recommended were really useful. I found the ‘life stories’ section and interviews particularly interesting as I’ve actually had little insight into how becoming a Christian has affected others. I know it’s a very important step, the most important somebody can take, and it’s great to be able get help and talk to someone.”

Roger continued corresponding with Antonio. After a few more contacts, they exchanged mobile telephone numbers. After their first ‘live’ conversation, Roger sensed Antonio was ready to say an unreserved “Yes” to Jesus and encouraged him to go back to the original Gospel outline website and pray the prayer of commitment.

Here is the email he received from Antonio a few days later: “I just prayed the prayer on the site and am feeling truly overjoyed. I really tried to understand and get my head around how Jesus had suffered so much and died to save us and by the time I said the prayer I was feeling wholly undeserving. It was a surprise to feel such sudden joy after and that something had really changed. I understand now what you meant on the phone about it being the beginning of a great adventure because it really does feel like that now! Thank you so much for your help and guidance; a few weeks ago I couldn’t have imagined where I would be now!”

After several more email exchanges and telephone chats, Antonio agreed to meet Roger at a McDonald’s restaurant near his home. This visit resulted in the beginning of a genuine friendship and Roger was able to locate a good church close to Antonio. Not only did he find the worship services and sermons meaningful, but Antonio has gone on to join a Bible Study group made up of young adults in the congregation. Through Roger’s encouragement and the help of various websites, Antonio has started sharing his faith with others. Roger has introduced him to the local Agape university ministry staff in London and Antonio plans to get involved in city-wide student events in the autumn.

The “Roger” in this story is a long-time staff veteran of Campus Crusade for Christ and has lived in Europe for 20 years. This year, Roger and I met again at the Europe Internet ministry planning meeting in London last February. God is planting a passion and a vision for internet ministry in Roger. I’m excited!

We are beginning to get significant traction in Europe for the important role Internet ministry can play. A staff member from the Netherlands shared that more people came to Christ through their internet ministry last year than through their other field ministries. This same comment was made by a staff member from Germany. Now I will be among the first to say this is not necessarily an apples-to-apples comparison, but the fruitfulness of internet ministry is catching leadership attention.

In strategizing with the Campus Crusade Vice President for Europe, he commented that leaders around Europe want to bring a strong focus on internet ministry. I have met with several leaders and they are all excited about embracing internet ministry strategies to enhance their field ministries. They are seeing how it has a significant role to play in helping tell the old, old story of Jesus and His love.

My heart soars with joy over seeing our leaders as well as our field staff beginning to understand the tremendous opportunities God is giving us through this mission field called the internet. Now, on to Asia, Africa, Oceania, Latin America… It looks like Kay and will continue to travel the world for a while!

NOTE: I’ve uploaded photos from our trip here in England. They are a combination of trips into the surrounding areas as well as from the conference.

Filed Under: Ministry, Travel

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

You must be logged in to post a comment.

Primary Sidebar

Give a Gift

Sign up with your email address below to read our stories.

Archives

  • July 2022
  • March 2020
  • February 2020
  • December 2019
  • November 2018
  • July 2018
  • March 2018
  • February 2018
  • October 2017
  • June 2017
  • January 2017
  • December 2016
  • May 2016
  • March 2016
  • April 2015
  • October 2014
  • September 2014
  • June 2014
  • May 2014
  • March 2014
  • December 2013
  • November 2013
  • October 2013
  • September 2013
  • August 2013
  • July 2013
  • April 2013
  • March 2013
  • February 2013
  • November 2012
  • October 2012
  • August 2012
  • April 2012
  • March 2012
  • February 2012
  • January 2012
  • November 2011
  • October 2011
  • September 2011
  • August 2011
  • July 2011
  • June 2011
  • May 2011
  • April 2011
  • March 2011
  • February 2011
  • January 2011
  • December 2010
  • November 2010
  • October 2010
  • September 2010
  • August 2010
  • July 2010
  • June 2010
  • April 2010
  • March 2010
  • February 2010
  • January 2010
  • December 2009
  • November 2009
  • October 2009
  • September 2009
  • August 2009
  • May 2009
  • April 2009
  • March 2009
  • February 2009
  • January 2009
  • December 2008
  • November 2008
  • October 2008
  • September 2008
  • August 2008
  • July 2008
  • June 2008
  • May 2008
  • April 2008
  • March 2008
  • February 2008
  • January 2008
  • December 2007
  • November 2007
  • October 2007
  • September 2007
  • August 2007
  • July 2007
  • June 2007
  • May 2007
  • April 2007
  • March 2007
  • February 2007
  • January 2007
  • December 2006
  • November 2006
  • October 2006
  • September 2006
  • August 2006
  • July 2006
  • June 2006
  • May 2006
  • March 2006
  • February 2006
  • January 2006
  • December 2005
  • October 2005
  • September 2005
  • August 2005
  • June 2005
  • May 2005
  • April 2005
  • March 2005
  • February 2005
  • January 2005
  • December 2004
  • November 2004
  • October 2004
  • September 2004

Copyright © 2023 · Parallax Pro on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in