Media and Mission: Proclaiming Christ in a Digital Age

 Media and Mission: Proclaiming Christ in a Digital Age

Introduction: The World Is Watching

There was a time when sermons were only heard if you walked into a church or gathered under a tree. A preacher would step up to a wooden pulpit, open a worn-out Bible, and the Word of God would be proclaimed to those within earshot.

But today, pulpits glow. They vibrate in our pockets. They buzz on our desks. They stream into our homes.

The message of Christ hasn’t changed; but the way it travels has multiplied. That eternal truth, Jesus saves, is now just a tap away.

Consider this: The average person spends about 6 to 7 hours per day on screens globally, according to recent studies and touches their phone over 2,500 times a day. That’s not an exaggeration. Each touch could be a scroll, a swipe, a search. And behind each one lies a person, someone who might be lonely, hurting, confused, addicted, curious, or even unknowingly crying out for God.

That little screen in their hand? It holds possibilities we’ve never seen before in church history.

We are living in a moment where the gospel can go global in seconds. Jesus said,  

“Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.” - Mark 16:15

He didn’t say, “Go everywhere, except the internet.”  

He didn’t limit the mission to physical borders or traditional pulpits.  

The digital world is part of that “all.”

So, if Jesus told us to go into all the world, and that includes the digital world, what are we doing about it?

Because today, your phone is not just a phone. It’s a pulpit.  

Your screen is not just a distraction. It’s a mission field.  

Your post is not just content. It can be a lifeline.

1. A Mission That Transcends Mediums

The message of the gospel is sacred. It is timeless. But the way it’s delivered? That has always changed with the times.

God’s people have never been afraid to use the tools available:

- The Apostle Paul wrote letters on scrolls that traveled from city to city.

- Martin Luther used the printing press to spread reformation truths.

- John Wesley used horseback to travel and preach.

- Billy Graham stood before microphones and cameras to reach millions.

Today, we have phones, social media, streaming, podcasts, tools they never had. These are not just platforms. They are pulpits, if we choose to use them.

If you have a phone, you already have a stage. If you are a follower of Jesus, you already carry a message.

Don’t underestimate the power of a post, a voice note, a video, or a prayerful comment. In God’s hands, even pixels can preach.

2. Media as a Mission Field

We often think of mission fields as remote villages. But what if we saw our timelines, WhatsApp groups, DMs, as places full of people who need Jesus?

Social media is not just a tool; it’s a space where people live. Real people. Real pain. Real questions.

Behind each meme may be a silent cry. Behind each polished photo, hidden brokenness.

In that feed, in that stream of noise, you could be the one to offer hope.

One verse. One word. One testimony. One gentle post.

This is not performance. This is pastoral. This is mission.

3. Digital Integrity in a World of Influence

In the digital world, numbers shout, followers, likes, views. But heaven listens for obedience.

You don’t need to go viral to be valuable in the Kingdom.

The temptation is real: to impress, compare, burn out, or pretend.

Jesus said: “Let your light so shine before others, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.” - Matthew 5:16

Shine the same online and offline. Let your faith guide your feed.

Don’t post for applause. Post out of love for Christ.

4. Using Media to Magnify the Message

How can we engage digital spaces with Christ's message?

- Share your story. Your testimony matters.

- Post Scripture. The Word works.

- Ask meaningful questions. Start spiritual conversations.

- Encourage others. Be a voice of grace.

- Build community. Start small. Be faithful.

You don’t need a stage to be significant. Just be available.

5. Challenges and Cautions

Media is powerful, but not neutral.

Beware of pride, comparison, burnout, performance, and shallow content.

Guard your soul. Stay rooted in Scripture. Stay accountable.

Don’t let your screen shrink your soul. Let it stretch your mission.

Conclusion: Redeem the Feed

We carry the gospel, the greatest story.

Media is not the enemy. It’s a loudspeaker, a net, a platform.

Jesus said: “Come, follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.” - Matthew 4:19

Today, the sea is digital. Cast your net.

- Redeem the feed.

- Sanctify your scroll.

- Preach in pixels.

- Point people to Jesus.

Trends fade. The Word remains.

Let’s proclaim Christ everywhere, from the street to the screen, the marketplace to the metaverse, until the King returns.

Session script prepared for missional equipping, with assistance from ChatGPT, a language model developed by OpenAI.

The Missionary Life of Rev. William Pettigrew: Reflection

 The Missionary Life of Rev. William Pettigrew: Reflection

1. Brief Family Information (The influence of the Family on the Missionary)

William Pettigrew was born on 5th January 1869 in Edinburgh, Scotland, into a devoted Anglican family. His early life was deeply influenced by regular participation in weekly Bible camps, which nurtured his spiritual formation. Although specific details about his parents’ individual roles are not clearly known, the Christian environment of his home shaped his worldview and missionary vision.

2. The Brief Conversion Experience of the Missionary

While the precise details of Pettigrew’s conversion are unknown, it is widely believed that he encountered Christ during a Bible camp. It was also at such a camp that he was profoundly inspired by the life and mission of Adoniram Judson, the pioneering American missionary to Burma. This moment sparked his desire to serve in foreign missions.

3. Understanding God’s Will and Role in God’s Mission

Pettigrew's sense of calling developed through consistent devotion and encounters with spiritual influences during his youth. At the age of 21, he responded to God's call and set out for India. Throughout his life, his intimate relationship with God was a sustaining force that helped him navigate opposition and follow God's leading, particularly in transitions and challenges in the mission field.

4. Discovery and Preparation for the Mission Field

After working for two years in Bengal, Pettigrew felt drawn to Manipur following the events of the Manipur War of 1891. While waiting for his permit in Silchar, he proactively began learning the Manipuri language by engaging with locals. His efforts resulted in the creation of a Manipuri Primer, Grammar, and a trilingual English-Bengali-Manipuri dictionary. These tools prepared him for effective mission work and later contributed significantly to local education and literature.

5. Entering the Mission Field and Facing Difficulties

Pettigrew arrived in Imphal, Manipur, in 1894, where he began by opening a primary school at Singjamei. Due to restrictive policies regarding religious neutrality, he was redirected to the hill areas of Ukhrul. There, he initially faced rejection from sixteen tribal chiefs who were wary of foreign religion and education. Nevertheless, he was eventually granted a plot of land in Phungyo, Ukhrul, in January 1896. Alongside his wife Alice Goreham, he began mission work and opened the first lower primary school in February 1897 with 20 boys enrolled. This school later became a Middle English School in 1906.

6. Impact on the Generation and History

From 1894 to 1933, Pettigrew dedicated himself to the development of Manipur through mission, education, and social service. He served as the Honorary Inspector of Schools (1897–1903), promoted girls’ education, assisted in establishing new schools, and translated the New Testament into Tangkhul and Thadou Kuki dialects. His efforts earned him several honors, including the Kaisar-i-Hind Silver Medal (1918) and a British War Medal (1920). Widely acknowledged as the "Father of Modern Education" among the hill tribes, his legacy continues through institutions like Pettigrew College, founded in Ukhrul in 1965.

7. One Success and One Failure Story

Success: One of Pettigrew’s greatest successes was establishing modern education among the tribal communities of Manipur. Despite cultural and religious resistance, his persistence led to lasting change, including the founding of Pettigrew College.

Failure: A significant early failure was his inability to gain the support of local tribal chiefs—initially, all sixteen chiefs rejected his proposal to work in their villages. This rejection highlights the early challenges he faced in cross-cultural ministry. However, his patience and integrity eventually turned resistance into acceptance.

8. Personal Learning from the Missionary’s Life

Rev. William Pettigrew’s life teaches the value of spiritual discipline, cultural sensitivity, and resilience in the face of opposition. His holistic approach to mission: combining education, language work, and evangelism; demonstrates how dedicated individuals can be instruments of transformative change in both church and society. His example inspires us to embrace God’s call with humility, courage, and perseverance.

9. Reflection and Application Questions

What role did William Pettigrew's family and upbringing play in shaping his missionary vision?

How can exposure to Christian role models, like Adoniram Judson for Pettigrew, inspire our calling?

What does Pettigrew's willingness to wait and prepare (such as learning Manipuri) teach us about patience and readiness in mission work?

In what ways did Pettigrew adapt to challenges and rejections in the mission field, and how can we apply similar perseverance today?

How do you see the importance of integrating education, language, and social service into mission today, as Pettigrew did?

What are some lessons we can learn from Pettigrew’s failure and success stories when engaging with different cultures and communities?

How does Pettigrew’s example inspire you in your own personal or ministry journey?

If you were to disciple a community today, what practical steps would you take to understand and serve them effectively?

Why Should I Read eBooks?

 Why Should I Read eBooks?

Nothing is better than printed books. Am I right? The smell, the texture, the grip and the sensation in reading printed books cannot be compared to reading an eBook. Will you think otherwise for a moment and consider why eBooks may be better than printed books?

I have always thought the greatest treasure I can inherit to my son will be a library. Recently my mind has changed. I am a booklover. I buy as many books as I can afford. I will continue to do so. Yet I now come to the realization of the advantages of reading soft copy books. No way? Please hold on, let me share my thoughts.

After shifting my place several times within a decade, I had to miss my bookshelf. I cannot carry all the books I purchased wherever I want. This gives me the thought, ‘Is it really a good idea to inherit printed books to my son?’ To inherit the skills, and the habit of reading will be much more valuable than the book itself.

We can cite some advantages of eBooks over printed books: they are cheaper, they have built-in dictionaries, instant purchase, no need for bookmarks, are environment friendly, can be customized, portable and many more points you can add. However, I am here not to explain those and convince you to read only eBooks. I simply want you to think differently from what most people say, “Printed books are the best.” And allow yourself to enjoy what seems to be inevitable. Like it or not, if you are a reader, the time is coming to read eBooks. If you don’t want to change and hold on to ‘only hard copy books’, it is totally fine. Who am I to judge you? But when the time comes for you to clean your bookshelf, shift your place and travel long distances, you may want to consider reading at least some eBooks. 

 

My ABC Steps Towards Success

 MY ABC STEPS TOWARDS SUCCESS

Episode 1

Everyone wants success but not everyone succeeds. We fail because we refuse to follow the steps towards success. Dear friend, if you want to succeed in life, these are my steps towards success. There may be many other steps framed by different people. However, if you follow these given steps faithfully, I guarantee you success in whatever you do. For easy remembrance we shall follow alphabetical order: 

A: Attention- Pay full attention in what you do. Attention is all that matters. You may study as many as 10 to 12 hours in a day, but without attention you are doing nothing. It is such a big challenge in this digital era where distraction comes from every notification. But if you really want to succeed in what you do, you have to overcome those distractions with your full attention. 

B: Best- Give your best. To me, ‘Giving my best is my greatest achievement.’ What can I do more than my best? We find satisfaction when we give our best. Let me tell you my story: During my higher secondary days I did not top my class, however the topper envied me. I worked hard and I was satisfied with my scores. She got better marks, but she was not satisfied because she didn’t give her best. We are born with different capacities, yet we can excel people who are more capable than us if we give our best in our work consistently.

C: Consistency- You may pay full attention and give your best in your work but if you are not consistent, it will lead you to nowhere. Rome was not built in a day. I learn a very important lesson from Nas Daily. Nuseir Yassin is an Israeli-Arab video blogger who created 1,000 daily 1-minute videos on Facebook, under the page Nas Daily. With that consistency he has become very successful and popular. He has now 17 million followers. He currently operates the Nas Daily Corporation, a video production company that uploads inspirational videos on a weekly basis. Martin Luther once said, “If you can’t fly then run, if you can’t run then walk, if you can’t walk then crawl, but whatever you do you have too keep moving forward.’’

D: Discouragement- Our next step towards success is to overcome discouragement.  Discouragement comes in everyone's life. He who is vanquished by it ends in bitterness and regret. There are so many reasons which can discourage us, we must overcome and move on towards our goal. This leads us to our next step- 

E: Excuse- Excuses are for losers. Ask any successful person you may know, they will tell you the way toward success was never smooth. If you are someone who complains about the unfavorable conditions in your life, you have to check your attitude. Good roads do not make a good driver, and smooth seas do not make a skilled sailor. With the struggles and difficulties, you faced you become a better person. 

F: Failure- Failure is not opposite to success but it is one of the steps towards success. Not trying is opposite to success. Giving up is the opposite to success. Fear for failure is opposite to success. Failure is not the opposite to success. We learn more by failures. You may fail in life but as long as you are willing to take the next step you are not a loser. 

I want to end today’s episode with a verse from the Bible, “If you falter in a time of trouble, how small is your strength!” ‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭24:10‬ ‭NIV‬‬.

We shall continue the next steps in the next episode. 

Till then, bye. 

Thank you for your time and attention.

CONTAGIOUS!

“God wants us to become contagious…. who will first catch his love and then urgently and infectiously offer it to all who are willing to consider it.” - Bill Hybels. 

The contagious and infectious novel coronavirus was first detected in Wuhan, China in late 2019. This virus is so contagious that it has spread all over the world within a few months and has set off a global pandemic. Everyone fears to be infected by the virus that the Government declared Lockdown and the Health Ministry announced social distancing rules; we should keep a distance of at least one meter between us. This made me ponder on the word ‘contagious’. Is this virus alone contagious? No, there are so many things even more contagious than the virus. Your smile is contagious. Enthusiasm is contagious. Fear is contagious. Faith is contagious. Even our attitude is contagious.

To be contagious we first need to be infected:

The only person who can infect coronavirus is the one who already is infected. You can not give someone what you do not have. Likewise, you can not love someone unless the love is in you. ‘Love your neighbours as you love yourself.’ Luke 12:31. Love is contagious yet not everybody can give it to others. Only someone who has love can show love. Do you have the love of Christ? Do you love like Him?

To infect we need to be contacted:

The word ‘contagious’ comes from Latin contagio "touching, contact." Through only contact we get infected. The idea behind social distancing is not to keep in contact with others to avoid infection. “So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.” (‭‭Galatians‬ ‭6:10‬ ‭ESV)‬‬. The Bible tells us to love our neighbors as we love ourselves and to do good especially to the household of faith because they are in contact with us. It is very hard to do something good to people we do not know in unknown places. On one hand, this Lockdown can be an opportunity for us to be with our family members and infect them with the good qualities in us. On the other hand, in spite of the lockdown and social distance, we can still keep in contact (through social media) and infect our Love, Faith and Hope to others who are not with us physically. We can not be contagious without being in contact.

Be aware of what you have transmitted: 

Words are contagious. Fear is contagious. Attitude is contagious. We do not even realise how children pick up slang words, bad attitudes and fear. They learnt from us! If you dislike the qualities of the people nearby you, there is a very high chance that they are imitating you. It is likely that you infected them. We should be aware of our contagiousness whether in positive or in negative aspects. 

What good qualities can we infect others with?

Without much effort we can infect enthusiasm and optimism. “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.” (‭‭Romans‬ ‭8:28‬ ‭ESV‬‬). If you are a born-again Christian but always pessimistic, you have to check your relationship with God. A good Christian cannot afford to be always pessimistic for God is Sovereign in everything. It is natural for human beings to be emotionally down when we are locked down and have less motion. Yet, we can take this opportunity to pursue our passion, new skills, new hobbies and infect our neighbors with our enthusiasm.  We are so blessed to be in this century that anyone can learn as much or even more than those who are in university, through online and internet. There are millions of free books available online, millions of videos on YouTube which can help us improve our knowledge and skills. There will be no excuse for us to the next generation.

Likewise, if our Christian life doesn’t infect others with the love of Jesus Christ there will be no excuse for us to tell Jesus when we meet Him.

You are contagious. What are you infecting others with? 

Why is roughage in a balanced diet?

Why is roughage in a balanced diet?

(The troubles in a balanced life)

Roughage is fibrous indigestible material in vegetable foodstuffs which aids the passage of food and waste products through the gut. Fiber, or roughage, is found in virtually all plant foods, including whole grains, fruits, vegetables, beans, nuts, and seeds. It is an essential ingredient of a balanced diet. Roughage is vital for our balanced diet because it helps in digestion of the foods we take and also prevents us from constipation. A diet without roughage is not a balanced diet. 

When I came to know that the indigestible material is one of the essential ingredients of a balanced diet, I was awestruck. I would love to take food items which are easily digestible. Which I believe, was good for health. I was wrong. My body needs some parts of food which cannot be digested. The undigested food item would help in maintaining and balancing my diet which in turn was good for my health. 

This made me think about the indigestible events of my life; the broken heart, the rejection, the misunderstanding, the unloved, the loneliness and so on, which I couldn’t accept, were the essential part of my life. They are the roughages of my life. Without them my life would be rather imbalanced. 

Even in a christian life the seemingly unwanted things are the essential part of it. Troubles and challenges are part of a Christian life. The life of Jesus Christ himself was full of suffering, troubles and trials. He said to the disciples in John 16:33 “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” According to Jesus, the troubles in this world will not disturb his followers because he has overcome the world. The troubles in our lives make us stronger and healthier so is true in our Christian life. Where there is persecution of believers, there is growth of church. When Christianity became the religion of the state there began negligence in spirituality. 

So what would you choose; A fibre free diet or a balanced diet? Or A trouble free life or a balanced life? 

May the food we take include items which contain fibre; and live a life that has troubles. May those indigestible items make us healthier and stronger. 

Does Job fear God for nothing?

Does Job fear God for nothing?

Everything we do has a motive behind. When we give gifts, do good deeds to someone or give a helping hand, we do most of the time expecting something in return. I remember some people going to funeral service saying they attended the funeral so that when they die people will come for their funeral. A religious leader once recalled a candidate came for God’s ministerial work with a fake certificate. Many people, both Christians and non-Christians alike, worship God for blessings, prosperity and wellbeing.  “Does Job fear the Lord for nothing?” is a question Satan asked God concerning the faith of Job in Job chapter 1. The accuser accused Job that the faith and love he had for God was due to the blessings God has given to Job. What about you and me? Do we fear God for nothing? What are our reasons behind serving the Lord? Salary? Name? Fame? Interest? Passion? Let us reason the reasons behind serving the Lord and the right motive to worship God. 

Prosperity driven Christians:

Many Christians worship the Lord to get blessings. Blessing is nothing unbiblical. And my God will meet all your needs according to the richness of His glory in Christ Jesus (Phil 4:9).  Worship the Lord your God, and his blessing will be on your food and water. I will take away your sickness from among you (Exodus 23:25). But if blessing is the sole reason to worship, what is the difference between Christians and the pagans? No difference at all! They have god for fertility, wealth, even for rain and sun. If the motive to worship God is wealth, health, luck and good life, you can’t answer the difficulties of life. You may claim many promise verses in the Bible, but if you only expect good things, you will be discouraged and even doubt God when calamity comes. 

Poverty driven Christians:

Quite the opposite of Prosperity driven Christians there are some Christians who uphold poverty as the sign of true Christianity. They also found many verses in the Bible that support their ideology. Some examples: Sell your possessions and give to the poor (Luke 12:33). Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God (Luke 6:20). Most of the Biblical texts quoted in support of both the cases (prosperity and poverty) are taken out of the context. A question for those who uphold this idea of being always poor to be a Christian is: Is God happy to see us always in need and want? The answer will definitely be NO.  If neither prosperity driven nor poverty driven motive to worship is wrong what will be the right motive to worship God?

The Right Motive to worship the Lord:

The right motive to worship God is clearly seen in the word ‘worship’ itself. The word worship etymologically means condition of being worthy, dignity, glory. It is a combination of two words worth (worthy)+ -scipe (-ship) sense of reverence paid to divine being. We worship God not because of our desire to be blessed or to show our faithfulness but because of who He is and what He is.  We worship God not because of what we are but because He deserves our worship and we are designed to worship Him. He is worthy to be worshipped. 

A psalmist says: 

Scribe to the Lord the glory due his name;
Bring an offering and come into his courts.
Worship the Lord in the splendor of his holiness;
tremble before him, all the earth. Psalms 96:7-8

How to worship?

“God is spirit, and His worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth. John 4:24”

This is how we should worship God. Then how do we worship in Spirit when we are only physical beings? To be able to worship Him in Spirit, we should first have life in Spirit. To have life in spirit we should be born in spirit. Which means we must first be born again.  Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.” John 3:3. 

Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is —his good, pleasing and perfect will. Romans 12:1-2

Job did not fear God because of the blessings he received. But because Job truly knew God. He worshipped and feared the Lord because of what God is not conditioned by his blessings or even his sufferings. He proved Satan wrong in front of God. 

May we worship and fear God in the right motive and in the right way just like Job did, and according to God’s will not according to our will!