1.5 Million Respond to Gospel Through Billy Graham Online Ministry
Nearly 8 million people around the world heard the message of Jesus Christ in 2012 through an interactive online website operated by the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, and nearly 1.5 million of them said they prayed a salvation prayer.
On average, more than 4,100 people responded per day last year in response to the Gospel presentation on PeaceWithGod.net, the ministry said Friday.
"This is God at work, and we're praising Him for what is happening," John Cass, director of the ministry's Internet Evangelism efforts, said in a statement. "We believe that each one represents someone who has been prayed for by family or friends. Each is a mother, father, son or daughter, who has recognized their need for a Savior and accepted the hope that can be found in Jesus Christ."
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Since the online ministry's launch in May 2011, more than 9.27 million people worldwide have viewed Gospel presentations on PeaceWithGod.net and PazConDios.net, a Spanish-language version of the site that was launched midway through last year. Of these, more than 1.67 million have indicated that they have made a commitment to Jesus Christ, according to the ministry.
PeaceWithGod.net, which uses a combination of search engine marketing and video presentations to invite visitors to the site, is operated by the BGEA in partnership with Jesus.net, an international network of more than 40 groups involved in online ministries.
When anyone enters questions such as "Is there a God?" or "Is there hope?" into a search engine like Google, the searcher is given the opportunity to click onto PeaceWithGod.net, where they are able to view the Gospel message and testimonies of what God has done in the lives of people just like them.
The visitor is also given the opportunity to register a commitment to Jesus and is provided with follow-up materials to help develop their new-found faith. The ministry has a network of volunteers to chat live with those who have additional questions.
The website's content is focused on John 3:16, "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life."
Graham celebrated his 94th birthday last November, and said he feels God still has a purpose for him at this late stage of his life. "I never expected I would live this long, outliving my beloved wife Ruth as well as many friends and loved ones," he said. "I believe God must still have a purpose for keeping me here, and I look forward to seeing what that might be."
Graham's son, Franklin Graham, serves as president and CEO of the BGEA.
