Does God really love me? Does He care? How can I have peace?
These are questions people wrestle with every day, and many times, they take those questions online. That’s where they connect with BGEA’s internet evangelism ministry, Search for Jesus, a global outreach meant to meet people where they are.
In the past five years, Search for Jesus (SFJ) has seen God work in the lives of millions around the world. One by one, thousands have connected with a trained online coach through chat, email or a discipleship course called Know Jesus.
Possibly the best part of that personal connection is when the ministry hears straight from those who are reached online—sharing how God is making a difference in their lives.
Read what these four people had to say:
‘Do You Think Jesus Would Be Interested in Me?’
Randall* visited PeaceWithGod.net on Nov. 7 and connected with Barry, a Search for Jesus chat coach. Although Randall accidentally disconnected the chat a couple of times, the two had an encouraging conversation. “I desperately wanted to talk to someone,” Randall wrote. He explained how he’d been watching pornography and felt guilty before God. “Jesus cannot even look down on me,” he said. “I failed Him.” Randall had accepted Christ, but his sin had a hold on him. Barry affirmed God’s love for him, despite giving into temptation, and explained how Satan likes to use such temptations to come between us and God. “Do you still think Jesus would be interested in me?” Randall wondered. Barry told him forgiveness is possible and that Jesus wants a mended relationship with him. The two prayed together online, and Barry pointed Randall to some follow-up websites to help him with his struggle.
‘I Am No Longer Broken’
“If God is real, why are bad things still happening?” Abena*, an 18-year-old woman from Ghana, sent an email through PeaceWithGod.net and connected with Linda, an email coach. Abena wanted an explanation for her suffering—she thought she wasn’t smart, talented or blessed—and wondered if God really cares about her. Linda shared evidence for God’s existence and explained His great love for her. Over the next couple of months, Abena told Linda she was mad at herself for losing her virginity and that she had negative feelings about church. She also worried about her mother’s health. “I really love God,” she wrote to Linda. “I know He has been there for me, but sometimes I can really doubt.” By June of 2016, after weeks of email exchanges and discipleship from Linda, Abena started to build confidence in God. “I have decided not to stop church. … I have also decided to just let God take charge. … I really want to build my relationship with Him.” Abena joined the church choir, started reading her Bible and began the Know Jesus course. “My life is better now with Jesus. … I am no longer broken and hurt, but whole and at peace,” she wrote in August. “I feel I have come a long way from being a bitter and rebellious teenager some months ago. … I am a child of the one true King.”
‘How Can I Sell My Soul to the Devil?’
The Holy Spirit can speak to us in so many ways, even as we’re typing. Alberto* was online this fall when he started searching. “When I was typing ‘How can I sell my soul to the devil?’ something stopped me and made me type ‘God,'” he said. That’s when he found PeaceWithGod.net and indicated giving his life to Jesus after experiencing the Gospel. He doesn’t know what made him alter his search, but said, “I’m glad I did because my mind is at peace now.”
‘I Was Muslim Until I Was Saved’
“I was Muslim until I was saved on the 23rd.” The Search for Jesus ministry regularly reaches people in Muslim countries, but Steve* was a Muslim living in Pennsylvania. He accepted Christ into his life on August 23, 2016, through PeaceWithGod.net and didn’t waste time taking the next step, enrolling in the online Know Jesus course the same day. As he neared the end of lesson two with his discipleship coach Darrell Gleason, he shared how he was soaking in the Bible. “I only have read Ecclesiastes, Romans, Galatians and 1 John,” he wrote. “Tomorrow I’m going to read the Gospel of John, God willing.” Steve’s brother, who previously left Islam himself, is helping disciple Steve. “I’m a baby Christian, my brother said,” Steve shared. “I don’t know everything I want to know, but I’m pushing ahead, praise God.”
*Names changed to protect privacy.
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