BGEA's Internet evangelism ministry, Search for Jesus, has more than 330 volunteers around the country. The second annual Search for Jesus Volunteer Conference was held at the Billy Graham Training Center at The Cove in Asheville, N.C., where gospel group Serenity led worship throughout the weekend.
When people search online for answers to spiritual questions, Search for Jesus volunteers can communicate with them through chat, email or a free online discipleship course. SFJ staff members Maria Rosales and Pam Boseman manned a booth at The Cove where volunteers could stop for information or give feedback. A digital sign behind them shows decisions for Christ around the world.
The Cove provided the perfect peaceful atmosphere for focusing on Christ and casting a vision for the next year.
Don Wilton, pastor of First Baptist Church of Spartanburg in South Carolina, spoke about his longtime friendship with Billy Graham and talked about actively sharing your faith, citing Philemon 1:6.
Area coordinator Cheryl McClure welcomes volunteers to a session she held with fellow area coordinator Mollie Magee.
Area coordinators Mitch Claborn of Texas and Wayne Rickert of Pennsylvania put on a skit about the importance of managing stress and balancing priorities in ministry.
Taking notes during one of the breakout sessions. Sessions included topics like suicide awareness, engaging world religions and addiction.
Enjoying a meal in The Cove's dining room.
E-counselor Vicki Curry shared her own experience with other volunteers.
Worshiping together. Many volunteers brought spouses or friends to share in the conference.
Managing stress is essential to taking care of your health. Many volunteers took notes during a session on handling stress.
Volunteers and staff members had time to get to know each other and share ideas in small groups.
Area coordinators Mollie Magee of Ohio and Cheryl McClure of Georgia. Other area coordinators are Charlotte Angles, Janet Wright, Mitch Claborn, Patti Nemazie and Wayne Rickert.
The Spanish team continues to grow as the Search for Jesus Spanish ministry (En Busca de Jesus) reaches more and more people online.
Enjoying the view from the deck of the Training Center.
Spending time in prayer. Volunteers prayed for each other and for the Search for Jesus ministry.
SFJ coordinator Jim Hoobler led a session on addiction and how to minister to those battling it.
A video crew was on site to capture stories from volunteers—why they joined the Search for Jesus team and what their experience has been like. Spanish volunteer Mayra Lopez gave her own brief testimony.
Will Graham, Billy Graham's grandson and executive director of The Cove, spoke during the conference, thanking volunteers for what they do and encouraging them in their ministry.
Serenity, a group based out of Charlotte, N.C., helped the group focus their attention on Christ.
Email responder Annette Poff shared her experience as a volunteer. She told a story of one young person she communicated with online and how God used that interaction to spark big changes in multiple lives.
BGEA staff members Kammie Shropshire, Martha Barnes, Dan Martin and Mark Appleton answered questions about the ministry, following an update on SFJ news.
Email responders Debbie Greer (left) and Bertha Aston (right) are mother and daughter.
SFJ national field manager Dan Martin took a moment to pray with e-counselor Beverly Jones.
Will Graham took pictures with several volunteers, including e-counselor Lupe Munoz and her mother.
Worship and devotions provided a time for volunteers and staff to refresh their faith.
Sharing a laugh. Volunteers had a chance to meet each other face to face and get advice on online ministry.
Email responder Kristen Browns with email response coordinator Paul Wiese and SFJ regional manager Gary Jensen.
Ministering to others requires taking care of your own relationship with God. Conference attendees prayed, worshiped and read the Bible throughout the weekend.
The Search for Jesus team ended the weekend with a group shot of many of the staff members.
BGEA’s Internet evangelism ministry, Search for Jesus, has more than 330 volunteers around the country. When people search online for answers to spiritual questions, volunteers can communicate with them through chat, email or a free online discipleship course. To date, the Search for Jesus ministry (including the Spanish counterpart En Busca de Jesus) has reached more than 25 million people around the world. SFJ held its second annual volunteer conference in September at the Billy Graham Training Center at The Cove in Asheville, N.C. Find out how you or your church can get involved at SearchforJesus.net.
