What Others Are Saying About This Book

"One of the marks of effective evangelism is to find creative ways in communicating the gospel and formulating ministry. Michael White has done this in his own ministry, and now shares with the rest of the world very helpful and practical information…. We have been trying to study in my own local church better ways to use the technology of the computer. It is a vehicle that can be extremely effective in disseminating and communicating information. Michael White's book offers various practical suggestions of how to start such a ministry, and it offers opportunities that allow the church to set its own parameters for doing this ministry."

Rev. Dr. John Ed Mathison, Senior Pastor of Frazer Memorial United Methodist Church, Montgomery, AL, and author of Every Member in Ministry.


"God has given the Church a free communication system that reaches the entire populated world! The internet is an incredible tool for evangelism and community that is often misunderstood or underutilized by the Body of Christ. Michael White has done an excellent job of removing the tech-talk and mystery from the Internet by explaining how to use it in simple terms anyone can understand. His practical suggestions for getting laymen involved in vital Internet ministry are invaluable. This book is a must-read for all Pastors and Ministers who expect to expand their outreach and keep their ministry relevant in today's technology culture."

Mr. Gordon Hesketh, founder of Digital Evangelism, Inc. (a separate organization not affiliated with this book, despite the shared name).


"I am one of those folks who had been dragged kicking and screaming into the computer age. I am also a person who is drawn to people who are passionate about their calling from the Lord. I was inspired and encouraged by Pastor Mike White's book. It was written for pastors like me. It is readable, practical and lead me one step at a time to understand how to use the web to encourage our church family and make the Gospel known via the internet. I look forward to applying the gift that my friend and fellow pastor and Army Chaplain has given to Christ's Church."

Rev. Dr. Robert A. Wildeman, Chaplain, LTC U. S. Army (retired) and Pastor, Christ Community Church, Fairmont, WV


The ForMinistry.com eQuip Blog contains several short mentions of Digital Evangelism: You Can Do It, Too! and Parson Place. Be sure to check 'em out!


Andrew Careaga's Blog picked up on ForMinistry.com's references and posted a comment of his own on his web site, E-vangelism.com, at http://www.e-vangelism.com/2005/04/new-book-on-digital-evangelism.html


Mr. Terry Wilhite, feature columnist for Christian Computing Magazine, Pulpit Helps, and Technologies for Worship, has written the following review that was published in each of these publications' April and May issues in 2005. This same review was also posted on the ForMinistry.com eQuip Blog mentioned above and the ChurchWorldDirect.com web site.

Digital Evangelism Helps Fulfill the Great Commission

By Terry Wilhite

Computers are used in homes today in a multitude of ways – from paying bills on-line to archiving recipes. But for most church goers, it’s been my observation that they’ve never even thought about using their computer to grow spiritually or for that matter reach people for Christ. That’s the reason that I’m excited about a new book entitled Digital Evangelism: You Can Do It Too! written by Michael White. White has been a pastor, a national guard chaplain several years ago and currently is an active duty Army chaplain. In his new book, he does a masterful job of linking “high tech” with the most high calling of spreading the Gospel, which is not only something every Christian can do but everyone with a computer should do.

The content of the book spans only 80 pages. You’ll probably be able to read it in a single night, but it will be a resource you’ll want to refer to time and again. I picked up several great ideas, including some really nice software finds, most of them free, mind you.

White has divided his book into two major sections. In the first section there are eight chapters for using computers in Christian ministry in your local community. The second section provides six ways we can use computers in a world-wide ministry.

While White kicks off his book with a chapter called, “Create a Web Site”, he keeps the reading interesting and avoids an over abundance of “tech speak”. (There’s a glossary at the end!) Chapter two, “Create a Local E-Mail Prayer List” is a favorite of mine, because when this idea was employed in my own church, it did more to bring our congregation closer than anything had in years. Further, White has balanced the “how-to’s” with an adequate amount of sage pastoral advice on issues such as spreading too many details with prayer requests. Chapter three is called “Create an E-mail Announcements List”. I’ve also seen this work really well in my own church. “Former members who want to keep up with what’s going on in their previous congregation and community can subscribe to stay informed,” White writes. “Prospective members who live in the neighborhood can subscribe to see what activities of interest you offer before they decide to join.”

Most every idea in the book, in my opinion, can be adopted by the congregation of 50 just as well as the congregation of 500. As a pastor of small congregations, White’s heart for smaller churches clearly comes through in this book. Chapter four explains how to write an e-mail newsletter for your congregation, while chapter five explains how to offer computer classes, which is an outstanding idea. “As Christians, we should remember that if we aren’t harvesting, we must be sowing or watering,” he says. Those challenges can be met in part by teaching people how to use their computers. In chapter six, he details how to conduct a public literacy and education program, again an effort that can easily build a bridge between your ministry and the community. In chapter seven he explains how to assemble a computer café, multiple computers made available for public access in a designated area. “Once your computer café is filled with people of all walks from your community, you can greet them with … messages of the Gospel through wall posters, screensavers, Christian desktop themes, on-line Bibles and Bible study software.” White, again, offers advice to help ensure that the technology isn’t used inappropriately.

Chapter eight gives a good spiel on organizing a computer club or user’s group. On a few topics like these, I did find myself having the tendency to say, “that’s just not me” or “I just don’t have time to make this happen.”. Bad thinking on my part. On subjects we can’t tackle, somebody, somewhere close by has all the time and ability necessary to make digital evangelism of this magnitude happen. All they need is our encouragement and for us to hand them a copy of this book.

Most amazingly, with the use of a computer and the Internet, you can now stay at home and be a foreign missionary. That is an idea we need to passionately communicate to those in our fellowship. White rounds out the book by explaining how to start an international prayer list, create e-mail discussion lists and forums, write world-wide e-mail newsletters, conduct mission support programs and unleash the power of Internet evangelism.

You can purchase the book at White’s web site, books.parsonplace.com. It’s a great buy and I highly recommend it.

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Terry Wilhite is a communications and multimedia specialist. He welcomes your input and questions. His e-mail address is ccmag@terrywilhite.com.


Rev. Dave "Doc" Kirby, a part-time United Methodist pastor and full-time radio disc jockey with WTBF AM/FM radio in Troy, AL, wrote the following review. He also recorded a telephone interview with me for his weekly radio program, which aired on Sunday, June 4, 2006. Perhaps I may be able to make it available in the near future.

BOOK BIT : "Digital Evangelism : You can do it, too!" by Michael L. White (Brentwood Christian Press)

by Rev. Dave "Doc" Kirby

Even though I have reviewed this book before, it keeps nudging me into action. You see, few small churches have really embraced the Internet as a means of expanding the geographical limits of their congregation. John Wesley, when invited to leave the Anglican pulpit, famously declared, "The world is my parish!" With the Web, the same can be said for every pastor and every church.

First, the Internet can give people a way to find your church, the times of your worship services, meetings, socials and other events. That's pretty basic. But your reach and your ministry are limited only by the amount of time you invest in it. I'm a bivocational United Methodist pastor and like most preachers, I spend hours every week working on a sermon that less than 100 people will hear. Then it's gone, to be repeated only if I have a second service (which I do) or it can become a "revival sermon". A sermon is a live event, not to be repeated. ..EXCEPT when you record it. Now, in the old days some larger churches taped sermons and made copies for shut-ins. Kind of complicated and costly. With the Internet, you can load that recorded sermon or Bible Study lesson or Sunday School lesson onto your website and it can be accessed hundreds of times. Is there a beautiful banner in your sanctuary or a great display created by your Vacation Bible School or the regular Sunday School classes? Put it on your website! Photos from recent events? Put 'em on the website! This website connects people who can't get to your events because they are homebound or sick or have moved out of town, or who are curious about what kind of church you have.

Rev. Michael White tells you how in easy terms to set up that website. Yes, it takes a few hours a week to have a superior website, but the pastor doesn't have to do all the work, either. And look at how it expands your outreach! Michael also explains the benefits of and techniques for an email newsletter, prayer list, and announcements list.

Perhaps your congregation should offer computer clases, conduct a public literacy and education program, organize a Christian computer Cafe' or User's Club. You could expand beyond your area with an International Email prayer list, and email discussion list, a Discussion Forum on your website (using a chatroom style). The Internet is a valuable resource for mission work, and you can even, if you are really ambitious, rig your website to accept credit cards so people can donate over the web to mission work. This is increasing in popularity in a society which is getting more plastic-( and less cash-) oriented.

"But, wait!" you cry. "I don't know ANYTHING about computers. I don't understand what all those initials mean, like http and ftp and CD-ROM, or what a firewall or shareware could be." Panic not. Michael explains them all in very reader-friendly language.

For a copy of this groundbreaking book, visit books.parsonplace.com to order, or for bulk, email to info@parsonplace.com. He also gives a 10% discount to clergy.

What are you waiting for? Why should we let the devil use the Web so much more than the church does? Don't people need to hear The Good News?