International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science (IJRISS) | Volume V, Issue VIII, August 2021 | ISSN 2454–6186

Evangelism in the Era of New Media

Barigbon Gbara Nsereka¹, Ph.D, & Tessy Nwanze^2
1Department of Mass Communication Rivers State University, Port Harcourt, Nigeria
²Postgraduate Student, Department of English and Communication Art
Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, Port Harcourt

Abstract: Considering that a great many new media users can be gratified by contents other than religious messages on the Internet, one wonders how evangelism will fare in this era of the new media. Besides evangelism, the new media are used for education, information, socialization and entertainment. However, churches which are ignorant of the potency of online evangelism are believed to be missing out on what is supposed to help them broaden the frontiers of fulfilling The Great Commission. This position paper which is an offshoot of a rigorous empirical study is, therefore, done to examine the practice of online evangelism by evangelical churches in Port Harcourt. Investigation shows, among other things, that the social media are veritable instruments in sustaining old members and wooing new ones. The study concluded that the churches that use the social media platforms are up-to-date; the social media used in evangelism are perceived as attractive and satisfactory; but that the cost of maintaining the new media workability is prohibitive. It was then recommended that despite the unethical and immoral posts that can be found online, the new media should not be avoided because of its potency in fostering bonds among old church members and evangelizing prospective ones.

Key Words: Televangelism, Evangelical churches, New media, Social media, Port Harcourt

I. INTRODUCTION

Beyond the expectations of the developers of the Internet must be the pervasive posture the technology has attained in the 21st century. The Internet has spread its tentacles in virtually all spheres of human endeavour. Imperatively, developments in technology are fast expanding the frontiers of communication so that many more persons are reached through the various channels of communication than previously imagined. The 21st century has ushered us into the era of convenient and effective communication.
Interestingly, religious organizations do not only see the Internet as one of nature’s greatest gifts to humanity but a tool primarily designed to facilitate the spread of the gospel. In whatever shape or form the religious organizations are, they are expected to propagate the doctrines of their faith to people across the world, with a view to converting them. For instance, the Great Commission in Christendom is a demand that Christians spread the gospel of Jesus Christ across the world. “Go ye, therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and the Son, and of the Holy Ghost” (Matthew 28:19; Mark 16:15). This great task had been more demanding than it is with the advent of the Internet and other technological innovations. Many religious organizations with