WaPo - Cyber-Savvy Pastors Blog When the Spirit Moves Them
The Washington Post reports on how some churches and pastors are using the latest internet technology to share the gospel (Matthew 24:14):

Reaching out to younger generations has long been one of the major challenges for ministers, but hundreds think they have found an answer in blogging. A growing number are taking the Gospel to the Web hoping to get people thinking daily about faith. Many pastors say blogging has become an increasingly integral part of their ministry as they attempt to reverse the decline in church attendance by people in their twenties and thirties.

I think this is a great idea and I think all churches should have official blogs and all Christian writers should be encouraged to start blogs and share their faith on the internet.

Godcasting
USA Today reports ('Godcasting:' Love that new-time religion) on churches using the latest technology, including HD broadcasting and podcasting, to share the gospel. With the internet, the world is your pulpit.

InformationWeek - Five Ways To Keep Your Google Searches Private
IWeek reports, "Word that the government has been seeking search data from Google has struck fear into the hearts of Internet Explorer and Firefox users. Here are five simple steps to keep outsiders from uncovering private information about your Web browsing habits."

Google's Dangerous Kowtow to China
Google won liberty points last week for fighting a federal subpeana to turn over massive amounts of search data to the U.S. government. They earn demerits this week for agreeing to censor their search engine to satisfy Beijing's desire for social and political control (BBC - Google move 'black day' for China). What happened to Google's "do no evil" motto?

Bloggers Fight Repression
Some time ago I linked to a news report about a guide published to help bloggers avoid the tactics used by repressive governments to control the Internet. The guide contains information that would be useful to human rights activists and missionaries operating in China, Saudi Arabia, North Korea and other countries that limit free expression. There is a chance that the news report may be outdated and the link may have expired, but the guide itself can be found here in PDF.

Using Mobile Devices
The Web Evangelism Newsletter had a report about using mobile devices to share the gospel:

Although mobile devices have been with us for some years, till now there have not been too many avenues to use the medium for evangelism. With the
new 3G devices, things may change. At last it is practical to download, and pass to friends, video and cartoon clips. There is great potential for short specially-made downloads of this type, and Christians are discussing the best way to utilize this medium. They recommend ATS Tracts as one of several groups developing material in this area. Finally, check out the Gospelcom guide to mobile tech.

Now that the enemy is preparing to send porn to mobile devices, I think it's only fair to counter with the Gospel.

Guardian Unlimited - State Dept. Cites Saudi Arabia on Rights
The Guardian Unlimited reports on the release of the annual U.S. State Department report on religious freedom:

The State Department cited Saudi Arabia on Tuesday for denying religious freedom to non-Muslims and found fault to a lesser degree with other allies including Israel, Belgium, France, Germany and Pakistan...Burma was accused of severe violations of religious freedom. China was faulted for showing insufficient respect for freedom of religion, Cuba for controlling and monitoring religious activities, and North Korea for not permitting religious freedom at all. Listed as hostile toward minority or nonapproved religions were Eritrea, Iran, Laos, Sudan, Uzbekistan and Vietnam, as well as Saudi Arabia. The State Department said that in Iran, Sunni Muslims, Bahais, Jews and Christians reported imprisonment, harassment, intimidation and discrimination based on religious belief. Burma was accused of severe violations of religious freedom. China was faulted for showing insufficient respect for freedom of religion, Cuba for controlling and monitoring religious activities, and North Korea for not permitting religious freedom at all. Listed as hostile toward minority or nonapproved religions were Eritrea, Iran, Laos, Sudan, Uzbekistan and Vietnam, as well as Saudi Arabia. The State Department said that in Iran, Sunni Muslims, Bahais, Jews and Christians reported imprisonment, harassment, intimidation and discrimination based on religious belief.

Let's agree to pray for the persecuted church in these countries, that they will persevere and continue to shine the light of hope amid dark oppression.

IFC - The Aftermath of GodBlogCon
Internet For Christians (IFC) Andy Rau gives a post-conference report for all of us who missed it:

October 28, 2005 -- GodBlogCon is over, but even if you didn't attend, you can benefit from the conference, as the media reports on it and as attendees blog about their experiences. An article at Wired provides a good basic overview of the conference's goals and highlights. If you want more specific details on the conference, the GodBlogCon blog is the place to check--it's got links to the many bloggers who attended and blogged their impressions, experiences, and opinions. In particular, this post provides a comprehensive look at reactions from all over the internet. Thanks to the conference and its blogging attendees for sharing their conference experiences online for everyone who couldn't make it this year!

Wow, I wish I could have gone. I didn't even hear about it until after it was underway...maybe next year.

Miami Herald - 'Left Behind' screened in 3,200 churches
The latest installment in the film version of the blockbuster Left Behind books (and blog inspiration) is being screened in churches and will soon be available to consumers.

Yahoo News - 'God Bloggers' Head to National Conference
Christians are finding news ways to share the Good News: blogging. Yes, using blogs (just like this one) Christians have found yet another tool to present the message of salvation. This AP news report talks about the first national conference for "God bloggers" being held now at Biola University. More information on the conference can be found on the official "GodBlogCon 2005" website.

My Way News - China Wants Only 'Healthy' News on Web

"China said Sunday it is imposing new regulations to control content on its news Web sites and will allow the posting of only 'healthy and civilized' news...Online dissidents who post items critical of the government, or those expressing opinions in chatrooms, are regularly arrested and charged under vaguely worded state security laws."

Evading the Censors
Suppose you are a missionary or human rights worker operating in a repressive country, how would you go about evading Internet censorship? The Reporters Without Borders group has the answer (Yahoo News - Guide Aims to Help Bloggers Beat Censors):

A Paris-based media watchdog has released a free guide with tips for bloggers and dissidents to sneak past Internet censors in countries from China to Iran. Reporters Without Borders' "Handbook for Bloggers and Cyber-Dissidents" is partly financed by the French Foreign Ministry and includes technical advice on how to remain anonymous online. It was launched at the Apple Expo computer show in Paris on Thursday and can be downloaded in Chinese, Arabic, Persian, English and French.

Let's hope this guide offers timely assistance to those shining the light of freedom (both spiritual and political) in the world's darkest places.

Arab Outreach
The Internet For Christians website recommends the Joshua Project as a resource for missionary outreach.

Christians Respond to Katrina
The Christian web portal Internet For Christians offers to following information on how Christians all over the world are responding to the hurricane disaster:

How have Christians around the world reacted to the suffering and devastation unleashed by Hurricane Katrina? With prayer and financial giving, according to a CrossWalk report that describes major disaster relief efforts by religion organizations like the Salvation Army, Southern Baptist Convention, and Christian Reformed World Relief Committee. A Yahoo News story describes massive, worldwide prayer directed towards New Orleans, refugees and rescuers. Many relief organizations are reporting generous donations from Christians and others. For more information about the developing situation and the Christian response to it, the Christianity Today weblog has more updates.

Religion News Blog
The Religion News Blog (RNB) provides religion researchers, media personnel, authors, legal professionals, academics and other interested parties with expert-selected news items about religious movements, cults, sects, world religions and related issues (including ethics and human rights concerns).

Bible Commentary Online
Internet For Christians offers yet another invaluable resource for those using the Internet to share the Good News: Classic Bible Commentaries, sponsored by E-Word Today makes it easy to access any commentary author, chapter and book, with cross-links to all authors, chapters and books--only one click away. The Web site also links closely with Bible Gateway so Web surfers can read a Bible passage and read several commentaries about the passage.

Thought Factory Preaches with Reason
Here is another outstanding resource recommended by Internet For Christians. According to their review, the Thought Factory introduces people to Jesus through interviews, people profiles, and topical articles. IFC calls it a, "good example of Christianity, culture and the Internet intersecting to reach out to Web users."

Christians Respond to London Terror Attacks
Christians all over the world are joined in prayer for the victims of the terrorist attacks in London, for their families and loved ones, and for the search for those responsible. Prayer points for the situation are covered in this UK-based Christian news site.

Billy Graham's Last Crusade
The greatest living Christian evangelist will take his bow tonight on the stage in New York. This AP report (MyWay News - Graham to Give Last Crusade Sermon Tonight) demonstrates the reach of his amazing ministry:

Graham has preached to more than 210 million people in 185 countries. He has been sought out by U.S. presidents and leaders worldwide and, more than any other religious figure, has come to represent the American evangelical movement.

One of the things I admire about Billy Graham is the way he has always preached the simplicity of the gospel message of salvation through faith in Jesus. Times have changed over the many years of his ministry and the church has changed in many ways, but his message has remained true to the gospel. For more information on the crusade and on Billy Graham, visit the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association. I think his approach is a model for the church in the end times, stay true to the gospel message, don't get distracted by new trends and ideologies, by materialism and culture wars, keep focused on the central message of salvation. The time is short.

Podcasting The Gospel
A podcast is a radio-style show that anyone with a microphone can make on a computer and post to a web site server and they are big now and getting bigger all the time (ipodnn - Report: podcast popularity to skyrocket). Free receiving software allows people to pick podcasts from online directories, download them to any MP3 player such as an Apple iPod -- hence the term "podcast" -- and listen to them at their leisure. So, is anyone out there podcasting the Gospel? Know any good Bible prophecy podcasts? Please use the comments link to recommend your favorite podcasts.