Internet Evangelism Day is an annual digital outreach focus day for churches. This year, it is scheduled for Sunday April 25. It's an opportunity for any church to explore with its members the exciting opportunities for sharing the good news online. Ready-made free downloads – PowerPoint, video clips, handouts, drama scripts and music can be easily built into a presentation of five minutes or 50.

2010's focus day will be the sixth to be used by churches around the world since the initiative's launch in 2005. Over this period, digital media have developed dramatically, with the advent of YouTube, Facebook and Twitter, and the growing use of mobile phones to access online services.

IE Day's website is also a one-stop resource covering many subjects including: how to build a church website that is 'outsider friendly', using Twitter in evangelism, and ideas for effective blogging.

Perhaps surprisingly, you do not need to be technical to share your faith online. And you can volunteer to be an email mentor to inquirers with several large online outreach ministries.

Internet Evangelism Day is an initiative of the Internet Evangelism Coalition, based at the Billy Graham Center, Wheaton. It is supported by a wide range of Christian leaders and groups. "I am glad to commend Internet Evangelism Day," says John Stott.

More information: http://www.InternetEvangelismDay.com

BETHANY, O.K. – Southwestern Christian University will present “The Music Man” February 25-27. Performances will be at 7:00 p.m. each night with an additional matinee performance at 2:00 p.m. February 27. All performances take place in the Minchew Auditorium on the west end of the Bethany campus, located at 7210 NW 39th Expressway.

The musical tells the story of traveling salesman Harold Hill’s visit to a small Iowa town in 1912. While there, he meets and falls in love with the willful, spinster librarian, Marian Paroo. With his fast-talking style, "Professor" Harold Hill convinces the town that unless they adopt his revolutionary music program, the youngsters of River City will be forever doomed. He cons the town parents into buying instruments and expensive uniforms to form the River City Boys Band. Chaos ensues as Hill's credentials are questioned and he is called upon to prove himself to the citizens of River City.

The production features several well-known songs, including Ya Got Trouble and Till There Was You.

Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for senior adults or students with ID. Children 12 and under are free. Group discounts are also available. For reservations or more information, email tickets@swcu.edu.

^{Southwestern Christian University is a private, four-year Christian university located on a beautifully wooded campus in the Bethany area of metropolitan Oklahoma City. SCU was founded in 1946 by the International Pentecostal Holiness Church and embraces the Holiness, Pentecostal, and Charismatic traditions. A growing Christian liberal arts university, Southwestern currently offers an Associate of Arts degree, eighteen Bachelors degree options, and a Master of Ministry degree with five areas of concentration.}

When the webcast began in September 2009, we envisioned a global communication tool that would reach conference leaders and pastors around the world. We wanted to provide training, assistance, and a platform for connecting these individuals as they strive to lead our church into a new decade. We named the program "Thrust 20" as an indication that our church is looking forward to the year 2020. Originally, the program was intended to be a quarterly communication specifically for church leadership.

We quickly learned that our initial vision was too small! We received an overwhelming response from lay leaders and church members who wanted to be a part of the webcast, too. The majority of people wanted a monthly interactive experience that would allow them to connect with our leaders and other IPHC members around the world. We needed to CAST a larger vision... so that's exactly what we've done.

Our new monthly format will involve more people,have more diverse content, and will involve multiple communication sources. The monthly program is just the foundation. During each webcast, you'll engage with other viewers around the world in a round-table discussion. Through our
redesigned resource library, you can use these teachings at training events, in small groups, and in presentations. You'll even be able to share the newscast in your weekly worship service.

CAST is a program that will challenge your thinking, awaken your imagination, sharpen your focus, and transform your life.

Join us this Tuesday, February 9 at 11 am CST for CAST.

OCEANSIDE, Calif. January 26, 2010 - How can a little indie film with no major actors, no real TV advertising, and little attention from the mainstream press catch the attention of 215,000 teenagers who came out opening weekend?

How can it also have the #1 fan rating today on Fandango.com and Flixter.com?

IndieWire.com says “’Life’ Debuts Strong” and “debuted on an aggressive 441 screens and managed to break the overall top 15. The film - about ‘an all-star athlete must change his life - and sacrifice his dreams to save the lives of others’ - grossed an impressive $1,499,400.” (Final numbers in today give the weekend gross for To Save A Life at $1,513,955)

In comparison, To Save A Life was neck and neck with teen horror flick Daybreakers, however To Save A Life was on less than a third of the number of screens. A similar story occurred with Youth In Revolt, which was on 300 more screens, yet To Save A Life grossed nearly $700,000 more.

The LA Times calls the film an “absorbing redemption story” that “is a deftly acted, generally absorbing cautionary tale with wider allure than its faith-based label may imply.”

The Miami Herald reports, “It features good acting, excellent production values and even a solidly eclectic musical score that ranges from rap to alternative.”

Big Hollywood.com, on the making of the film, states, “To Save a Life is perhaps even more a miracle than the average feature film. Not only did it beat the odds, it did so with its soul still firmly attached.” In contrast to more typical teen fair, such as Youth In Revolt and Daybreakers, it begs to ask the question – are teens looking for more?

“I was thinking as I was approached about this film, why aren’t we creating films that can actually make a positive change in the life of teens, movies that don’t just entertain, but also make an impact in the lives of the viewers?” said Brian Baugh, director of To Save A Life. Exit polls from teens after having seen the film show they want be challenged. And, they feel typical Hollywood films aren’t inspiring them to make their schools a better place.

Not only do box office numbers speak loudly, but the social media sites prove this point. The movie’s official Facebook page jumped over 30,000 users in the last five days – with over 90,000 active users. This number, compared to Youth In Revolt’s 42,000 fans, and the Book of Eli’s 44,000 fans, is compelling. Now, local splinter groups are breaking off, creating To Save A Life groups for their own communities.

Teens are coming together on the Facebook site, talking about their lives, their struggles, and inspiring each other to reach out to the hurting and lonely in their communities.

To Save A Life was created by New Song Pictures and Outreach Films, and is distributed through Samuel Goldwyn Films. After opening on 441 screens this weekend, the film will continue to open in new markets in the coming weeks.

http://www.tosavealifemovie.com

ABOUT TO SAVE A LIFE
An all-star athlete and his girlfriend find their lives spinning out of control when Jake loses a childhood friend. Help comes when he reaches out to others who are hurting, and he realizes some people are just dying to be heard. The movie asks... How far would you go? How much would you risk? How hard would you fight...TO SAVE A LIFE

Emmanuel College student Lauren Peeples recently interviewed Chris Maxwell.  In addition to serving as campus pastor at Emmanuel, Maxwell is a well-known advocate for epilepsy.  Here is Lauren's story of how Chris is making an impact all over the world.

(FRANKLIN SPRINGS, Ga.)—He is a pastor, spokesperson, writer, editor, husband, and father. He is a man of many talents and titles. He is a man who wears many hats.

As Campus Pastor and Director of Spiritual Life at Emmanuel College in Franklin Springs, Ga., Chris Maxwell speaks in churches, schools and conferences, while mentoring and ministering to a college campus community. Maxwell also serves as Editor of Epilepsy Advocate Magazine and is the author of two books. He has written more than 1,000 articles, reviews, and curriculum lessons.

An active and personable individual, Maxwell finds time to fulfill all the obligations that follow his many titles, while also actively pursuing a desire to reach out and help others. Always wearing a contagious smile, those he encounters find his enthusiasm and personality encouraging and uplifting.

Maxwell is an avid supporter of those things he believes in. For example, his inspiration to promote Emmanuel College is the student body. “Writing, speaking, and caring for people are three areas I function best in,” Maxwell says. “Since I spend time with students who are the key leaders globally for our future, I am deeply inspired to discuss their accomplishments, hopes, goals and victories through tough times.”

Click here to read the rest of the story.