Good News - June 2021

35 JUNE 2021 www.goodnewsfl.org Good News • South Florida Edition OUT AND ABOUT Groundwire sawmore than 116,000 salvations in 2020, and is on track to double that num- ber this year -- while also equip- ping everyday Christians with relevant, effective ways to wit- ness to nonbelievers The average U.S. church will see just one unsaved per- son come to faith in a typical cal- endar year, according to research from The Barna Group. Groundwire.net will wel- come about 250,000 into the Kingdomof God this year alone, its president says. Sean Dunn’s organization led more than 116,000 mostly teens and young adults to Christ in 2020 – and is already on track to double that number this year. How? By leveraging the very technology many adults point to as a distraction at best, harmful at worst to today’s youth. “Young people are drown- ing, and dying, in this culture that strips them of joy, peace and direction,” Dunn explains. “But if they are approached in the right way, with the right mes- sage, they discover that Jesus can answer all of life’s meaning- ful questions.” The group uses the same kind of technology that floods your Facebook page with shoe ads if you chat with a friend on- line about your new Nikes to communicate the Gospel in a relevant and authentic way. “The chats happening out there in cyberspace aren’t kids worrying about going to hell,” Dunn explains. “They’re kids saying they are going through hell.” Groundwire responds in real time with videos and other online content that offer them immediate encouragement and hope – accompanied by an in- vitation to chat with a Ground- wire volunteer – called a coach -- who offers a listening ear and an understanding heart. “It’s in our coaching chats that connection happens, that change happens,” Dunn says. “Our goal is to lead each person to a commitment to Christ.” A total of 28,301 made that decision in 2017. Salvations have increased each year since: 44,895 in 2018, 83,970 in 2019 and 116,437 last year. Al- ready in 2021 – with just a third of the year passed -- Ground- wire has seen almost 50,000 decisions for Christ. Groundwire has hundreds of volunteer coaches across the globe who respond when alerted to an opportunity to en- gage a lost or hurting person online. Each coach undergoes rigorous training and work with a mentor before chatting solo. Theministry is the first of its kind to be staffed around the clock, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, Dunn says. While its methods of locat- ing and connecting to those in need is infused with technologi- cal savvy, the care and concern conveyed once a connection has been made is something any Christian can offer to a hurt- ing friend or loved one. “What somany are seeking via social media we can offer them face-to-face in our rela- tionships with them,” Dunn notes. “They want to be friended. They want to be seen. They want to be liked. Theymay attribute a like on a profile to ac- tual affection, but that is shallow and temporary. “Point out that God not only likes them, but He loves them with an unconditional and un- ending love, he adds. “Themost powerful force in the universe is the aggressive and unyielding love of the Creator of the uni- verse. When it is realized and embraced, it protects, shapes and directs a life.” To learn more about the ministry, visit groundwire.net . If you have questions, visit JesusCares.com. Groundbreaking EvangelismMinistry Harnesses Technology to Save Souls Scene from a Groundwire video. dro yr eH n F - . SUCCESS IS WORKING TOGETHER GRESS; PRO IS KEEPING TOGETHER BEGINNING; IS A COMING TOGETHER St Qu Sa Ex Le DI Le evelopm D eadership L rategic Planning Process Improve ality & Business les & Communications ecutive Coaching ck Assessments Feedba ader 360 Behavioral Assessments © SC adership Coaching & Developmen cut E usiness xe B ent ments t ion o C L Bu lta C sn o u ry t C m mo pli en a nnect | siness Execution & Metric Develo W: https://www.rrrconsultingservic E: [email protected] | F: 954-951-139 954-661-2793 T: se Pr n tio pment es.com 4 tne di