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Upcyberdown21
Internet Outreach Ministry of the
Portland International Church of Christ
09/05/04
"For the
message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who
are being saved it is the power of God. ... When I came to you, brothers, I did
not come with eloquence or superior wisdom as I proclaimed to you the testimony
about God. For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus
Christ and him crucified. I came to you in weakness and fear, and with much
trembling. My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words,
but with a demonstration of the Spirit's power, so that your faith might not
rest on men's wisdom, but on God's power."
1 Corinthians 1:18, 2:1-5
The disciples of the
first century had a worldwide impact for their Lord and Savior. It was said of
Paul and those who preached with him, "These are the men who have
turned the world upsidedown for Jesus!" (Acts 17:6 NSV) This was a
malicious criticism, which the disciples received as a compliment! They were
totally committed to turning the entire world back to righteousness, in effect
turning it "right side up!"
Though our fellowship is
preaching the Word on every populated continent, the "invisible
continent" of cyberspace remains unevangelized. In many respects it is a
"throne of Satan" (Revelation 2:13) filled with pornography, atheistic
philosophy, false religion, and an immense amount of vicious persecution to
those who are striving to please God. Therefore, sensing the call of the Spirit
to assault the gates of hell, the leadership of the Portland International
Church of Christ will initiate in January of 2005 our new global internet
outreach, entitled Upcyberdown21. "Upcyberdown", because our first
century brothers turned the world "upsidedown," and "21"
signifying that by faith we will do the same in the twenty-first century!
Upcyberdown21's mission is to
preach the "message of the cross" to the perishing of
the "invisible continent" as well as to thirsty disciples. Therefore,
this site will have not only the audio messages of Portland's sermons, but video
of each of these Scriptural lessons. Though we are inexperienced and "weak"
in our understanding of how to build an effective internet outreach, all the
more our message will be "a demonstration of the Spirit's
power."
Secondly, there will be a section
entitled "Knowing God," which will Biblically teach how to have a
relationship with God through His plan of salvation: faith, repentance (becoming
a disciple) and baptism. Accompanying this section will be video testimonials of
recent baptisms and restorations in the Portland Church. This testimonial
section will be updated with new video accounts every few months!
Thirdly, we will use the Portland
Church's bulletin articles as Upcyberdown21's weekly editorials. In time,
Upcyberdown21 will become a web portal for Evangelists, Elders and Women's
Ministry Leaders from other congregations who will be called upon to write and
video new sections of this site such as Campus Ministry, Teen Ministry, Family
Ministry and Women's Ministry. Also, in time, a ministry section for "full
time" people will be developed.
Also under consideration is a
"real world" section where, for example, we will video tape a Bible
Talk and the members day to day interactions for a ten week period.
Another idea for Upcyberdown21
for people to share in the "Portland experience" is a section called
"Profiles in Courage." This section would have a photo gallery and
stories of faith by disciples in Portland and other nations.
There will be an archive section
where past KNNs will be able to be viewed.
Another area of prayer is an
entertainment section, where modern Christian music written by members of our
fellowship as well as productions such as "Upsidedown" and "Slingshot"
can be heard and viewed respectively. (We are working on the legal releases
necessary to build the entertainment section.)
Presently a "game"
section is being developed about Bible trivia. Another fun feature will be
e-cards that can be mailed to friends and fellow disciples around the world. For
our congregation and those visiting from afar, there will be a daily calendar
and Bible Talk information. Also, there will be links to Disciples Today, HOPEworldwide
as well as free email.
Of course, there will be feedback
opportunities for anyone on the site. We want to solicit constructive feedback
to become effective as possible (Acts 14:1) in our "preaching of
Jesus Christ and Him crucified" to the lost and saved. (Starting
January, the Portland bulletin will be available by email and/or printed form.)
Finally, it is our dream that
this video ministry will expand into other languages, thus truly turning the
world upsidedown in our generation. The Portland leadership would like to thank
Jenkin Richards of San Francisco, Steve and Grace Droblas of Miami and Jeremy
Ciaramella of Eugene as well as Tony Untalan, Jaime Heidingsfelder and Elena
McKean of Portland for the "brainstorming sessions" this past weekend
of this ambitious ministry to the vast invisible continent.
If you or others have input to
help build this site please contact me at our church office phone 503.525.1256
or communicate with our "cyber-evangelist" Jeremy Ciaramella
(feedback@ucd21.com) Please pray that God will bless this ministry beyond
anything anyone could "ask or imagine!" (Ephesians
3:20-21) And to God be all the glory!
Kip McKean
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