Digital communication has become one of the most effective ways of reaching an audience, and this includes an audience looking for God. In today’s society, digital evangelism is becoming central to spreading the Adventist Church’s message. San Francisco is currently at the heart of Central California Conference’s digital evangelism campaign, and the impacts are becoming clear.
San Francisco is a diverse community that is difficult to reach through many traditional methods of outreach. Over 40 percent of the residents speak a language other than English, and some of these languages include Spanish, Portuguese, Mandarin, Vietnamese, Tagalog, and Korean. The language barriers, cultural differences, and accessibility issues make it a good place to implement digital evangelism and see its direct impacts. Digital missionaries use social media platforms to spiritually attend to each person in their own language, helping God reveal His love to them through these resources.
Mark Ferrell, pastor of the Central California Conference, explained, “It's difficult to go door to door because most people have gates on their doors. It's hard to do brochures because there's so many brochures that come into our places and are on the doors. So how can we do this? Well, have you ever heard the saying, ‘Don't curse the darkness, but light a candle’?” The San Francisco Central Church decided to light the candle by reaching out to the people in their community through their digital doors — phones and computers.
People in today’s world are often more interested in their phones than in talking to people face to face, and this societal change can be used in ministry. “This is what digital evangelism is all about. Digital evangelism is reaching out to people through their smartphones and through social media,” said Ferrell.
Ceejay Buison is one example of the ongoing impact this ministry is having in the Bay Area. Buison is a registered nurse in the emergency room, and shortly after taking this job he was concerned about being able to hold the position and fulfill his commitment. “I was just browsing my Facebook page and a San Francisco Central prayer request ad came up asking, ‘What specifically can we pray for?’” Buison responded by saying he’d like them to pray about the job he had recently begun.
“I started with a conversation about my concern, and I praise the Lord because I'm still currently working at the same company,” said Buison. Not only has he been able to do well in his new job, but he also began Bible studies and is even attending the local Adventist church. This is less than a month after connecting with the church through digital evangelism.
Michelle Derecho, one of the local missionaries in the digital evangelism campaign, spoke directly to Buison in June 2024. She helped connect him with the San Francisco Central Church and led him in Bible studies. She did not start by asking him to start Bible studies or go to church, but started by simply being willing to meet him. Many people are just looking for a direct connection with another human being who cares, not someone trying to flood them with information.
“I did not tell him about our religion. I did not tell him I wanted to give him Bible studies. We had our conversation. I asked him about his life, what has happened to him, and he started to give his testimony,” said Derecho. Buison asked if he could meet Derecho, so they met in the Stonestown neighborhood in San Francisco, along with one of Derecho’s Bible students. This led to starting their own Bible study, and they are now halfway finished with these studies.
The digital evangelism group in San Francisco now has over 150 people interested in Bible studies, counseling, and learning more about God. These groups are being reached through social media, which leads to direct contact, friendships, Bible studies, people attending church and becoming members of the Seventh-day Adventist movement. In today's digital age, the church ministry is reaching far beyond its walls. It is reaching into the lives of people through their computers, their phones, and leading them to Christ through digital evangelism.
Learn more about becoming a digital missionary in your community: https://www.dmissionary.com/
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