“Does my life have purpose? How will I get through this? I feel so alone—is there any hope?”
These are questions that real people around the world wrestle with, and many don’t know where to turn. That’s why the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association (BGEA) launched its internet evangelism ministry, Search for Jesus, 15 years ago today—to meet people wherever they are and show them the true, lasting peace that is found only in Christ.
During his decades of ministry, Billy Graham was devoted to spreading the Gospel, and that included using new developments in technology to do so—from radio to TV to satellite relays. Today, BGEA is using the global reach of the internet and social media to continue that mission.
In 2011, BGEA launched PeaceWithGod, an evangelistic site that explained the Gospel in simple terms using Scripture throughout. Hundreds of thousands of emails flooded in full of questions and comments. It was clear that our online world was hungry for God’s Word.
In the development stages of this ministry, Billy Graham’s principles of evangelism from decades of Crusades were applied to an internet model. This meant not only sharing the Gospel with online visitors, but ensuring that they could talk with a trained volunteer and get connected with a local church where they could grow in their walk with the Lord.
By 2012, the BGEA team started equipping Search for Jesus (SFJ) volunteers to interact with web visitors one-on-one.
Over 1,900 volunteers are available today to share the Gospel with people online in nine languages—English, Spanish, American Sign Language, Portuguese, Russian, Chinese, Arabic, Vietnamese, and Indonesian.
Internet Evangelism Vice President Mark Appleton explained how some volunteers communicate with online visitors for weeks, months, or even over the course of years. It’s a unique ministry with unique challenges, but the impact is eternal.
“It’s not a face-to-face ministry,” he said, “but God is using it powerfully.”
“Serving as a chat volunteer for BGEA has been the most rewarding assignment that I have ever had,” said Don.
After completing thorough training and undergoing rigorous background checks, Christians from anywhere in the world can serve as volunteers: answering questions, sharing Scripture, and praying with those who are searching—using tools like email, social media, and even online discipleship courses.
“It is a privilege to share my faith and God’s Word, and pray with people from all over the world,” said Shelia, another volunteer. “When someone finds new life in Christ or rededicates their life to Jesus, I am able to rejoice with them.”
And God continues to move in amazing ways. Here are just two examples of what He is doing through this ministry.
Ziad: A Lasting Impact
In 2020, Ziad* came to Salam Maa Allah, the Arabic version of PeaceWithGod.net, out of curiosity. In a country with severe opposition to the Gospel, Ziad lives in a “radical Muslim community” (as he described it), where Christians are often rejected and face physical threats. His journey to faith began with a simple but dangerous request: “I want to know about Christianity.”
Over the course of several days, a volunteer named Hany answered Ziad’s questions through a social media chat. Hany led him through Scriptural truths, and Ziad’s curiosity—and hunger—was quenched. He prayed to accept Jesus Christ as his Saviour with heartfelt sincerity. Hany pointed him to a BGEA discipleship course over the internet and to the Bible online, and then encouraged him to connect with a local church.
Though many volunteers don’t get to see the long-term impact of their conversations, Ziad’s story was different. Five years after his initial conversation with Hany, Ziad connected with another volunteer over social media. That volunteer was able to put him in touch with Hany, and the two rejoiced over their virtual reunion.
Ziad said that he’s been growing closer to God. He also opened up about the challenges of finding fellowship and sharing his faith in a culture opposed to the Gospel. Hany encouraged him to constantly seek wisdom, boldness, and strength from the Lord as he grows as a disciple of Christ.
Susana: From Rock Bottom to Living for Christ
Susana was at her breaking point. The single mother had immigrated to a new country and left the same-sex relationship she’d been in for years. She felt lost, empty, and without purpose. That’s when she enrolled in Conociendo a Jesús (Know Jesus)—one of BGEA’s online courses in Spanish.
“I am interested in this course because I want to correct my path,” Susana wrote to Blanchi, the volunteer she was connected with. “I want to transform my life.”
Blanchi listened with empathy and provided Scriptural guidance as Susana shared her story. She explained the gift of salvation that God freely offers and told Susana that she could receive it if she was willing to accept it by faith.
Susana was enthusiastic and sincere in her decision to follow Christ. She typed out her own prayer, asking for the Lord’s forgiveness and for His help to become the woman of God that He wants her to be.
“May He teach me to love and forgive—to be humble and have empathy for others,” she said. “May He … fill me with wisdom.”
Susana also expressed a longing to be free from the guilt and shame of her sins.
“I would like the Spirit to transform me. I want Him to transform my mind, my soul, my way of thinking, and the way I speak and see life,” she said.
As Susana continued going through the course, Blanchi helped her find a local church where she could grow in the Lord and His Word.
At one point, while studying Psalm 1:1–3, Susana shared a fresh perspective on her responsibility as a mother. “Let those who know the Word of God … teach it to their children so that they may learn and see how important it is to live in wisdom and justice.”
When she completed her study, it was clear that Susana’s heart had been changed and she was ready to live according to the calling God has for her. She summed up her purpose in life through one short sentence: “Always fulfill God’s will.”
Will you join us in praying that many more visitors to PeaceWithGod.net will come to know the Lord through their conversations with volunteers? Also, pray for new believers to draw closer to God, find and join local congregations, and be strengthened in their resolve to follow Him.
*Name changed for privacy.
To learn more about BGEA’s internet evangelism ministry, visit SearchforJesus.net. Or, to experience the Gospel online, visit PeaceWithGod.