by Suellen | Join the Mission, Reach the World,
We have entered a new era, and it’s here whether we’re ready or not. A few years ago, I wrote my first book, and at the suggestion of some savvy people, started a blog to promote it. Little did I know where this would take me.
As I roamed around the internet, looking for like-minded people, I found something very interesting.There are some really great Christian blogs, podcasts, etc. out there, but over all, we don’t have the representation we need – or that our Father wants. Sure, there are some Christian ministries, but we are greatly outnumbered. There are many voices out there, but relatively few Christian voices.
Our presence is sadly lacking.
I have continued to pursue my own presence online, and have learned a few things in the process.
First, I have learned (as you may have also) that the digital world has totally taken over our culture. Just as TV changed the lines of communication several decades ago, the internet and wireless devices now hold the keys to communication in our world. People in their 20’s and 30’s are not watching Christian TV; they are surfing the web – and usually on their phones or tablets.
Second, I have learned that mastering the tools of the digital world is not as hard as you might think. There are so many software programs now which simplify the process. It’s often a matter of discovering which ones to try.
Third, in the process of learning, I have found some great instructors, who are eager to share what they know. Some people who have been online since the inception of the internet are more than generous in sharing how to get the job done. And the numbers of experts who are willing to share their information is growing by the day..
Fourth, I have learned that the internet is inexpensive compared to other means of communication. To my surprise, many applications are totally free.
I am convinced that God had the invention of the internet put into our hands at this moment in time for us Christians. I am convinced that the internet is here for us to reach the multitudes, worldwide. Let’s not miss this opportunity to saturate the web with God’s message and His presence.
Perhaps you already have a thriving blog or internet business. The rest of us could learn from you.
Or you might be saying, “I would like to, but I don’t even know how to start.”
There are plenty of people who would love to help you.
Our new mission is to help you as a minister or lay person fulfill your purpose. We know that you have a message, and we want to help you get it out to the masses.
When you speak to your audiences in person, you can reach hundreds – or even thousands. When you go on TV or radio, you can increase your audience to millions. When you take your messages to the world wide web, you can reach hundreds of millions – and even billions. (Yes, I said, “billions!”) Digital technology can go into places which don’t have TV or radio.
God has provided this golden door of opportunity for us to reach the world, so let’s do this. We hope you will join us in taking up this torch.
We have a world to reach.
We can do this!
by Suellen | Success, Website Tips
Do you sit at your desk all day and look at things online with your dual wide screens?
Uh-oh. You may be making some mistakes. (Just like I do from time to time).
It’s fun to design and implement beautiful layouts. But we need to take a look at this
In the last few years, more and more people (figures are about 33%), are using their smartphones and tablets for all or most of their internet needs. So a beautiful website on your desktop can sometimes look clumsy – and even weird on your phone.
So, as always, we smart people adapt.
We have to design our sites so that they look good – and are readable – on all devices.
So let’s look at a few tips to help us maximize our audience.
Be Minimalistic.
A flashy website is not going to translate well on a mobile device. Stick to the basics, and remember the acronym you’ve learned before. K.I.S.S. (Keep it simple silly)
Consider how mobile readers see your content — Check for yourself on the mobile device that you are targeting to assure yourself that the mobile content translates well to the device. You can’t be sure without looking.
Cut down on ad clutter
You may find that you need to move your ads to other areas that work better with mobile devices. Ads right in the middle of content might not work well with a mobile device like they do on a regular website
Choose a website theme which is good for phones.
Some – like Divi by Elegant Themes – have a means of customizing a page for all devices.
Or if you are a bona fide techy, you can detect platforms that are viewing with proper coding — Learn about special coding that you can do for your content so that it detects what device is looking at the site, and appears in the best format for that device.
(I’ll stick to choosing the right theme).
Have Lots of navigation
For a mobile device you likely need more navigation than on a website. Consider using shorter drop down menus, and think of ways to drill down to the minute information on your site with more menus.
Make short links
As we know, typing on a handheld device is not fun or easy. So make links as short as possible so that no one throws their mobile device across the room in frustration when trying to view your site.
One post or set of content per page — this goes back to being minimalistic but keep the content to one post per page for easier viewing.
Put content front and center —
Instead of having an entry page, put the newest content front and center so that mobile content viewers see what is important right away.\
Reconsider how you put textural links within a post.
While this is great for a website viewed on a webpage it might work better to put links under the post as well as within the text for easier navigation.
Add drop down navigation or hover navigation –
This type of navigation saves a lot of space on the mobile device and makes it easier to actually click it to move to the mobile content that the visitor wants to view.
So there you have a few tips for pleasing your mobile viewers.
We want to keep those mobile viewers coming back again and again.
by Suellen | Reach the World,
I could barely sleep last night.
Not because I was worried. I was excited and full of anticipation.
Mickey and I watched and listened as Ken Malone and Dutch Sheets shared about the powerful prayer meeting Dutch had held from Washington DC. Because of the shutdown, his prayer trip had been cancelled. So he went with only a couple of people and fulfilled the mission with leaders from around our great country joining in by phone.
It was a great success. Powerful decrees – speaking God’s purposes into the earth. By digital devices across the nation.
But then Dutch said something which rocked my world.
He said that now it’s time for a shift. Now the internet and digital devices are going to be used more than ever for ministry. Meetings on YouTube, blogs, podcasts, etc.
That’s the vision the Lord gave me in 2013, and I have been reaching for it ever since.
With varying degrees of success. I have even re-configured several times, and I have been discouraged on occasion. But God’s Word kept me going.
And I realize that Now is the time of fulfillment!
I know that there are many ministers and leaders who have vital messages for the church – and the world at large. I want to help them establish their platform and maximize their influence.
Maybe you are one of them.
A few things I have learned:
- It’s easier than it looks, to set up a blog, write a book, or start a podcast.
- Alone it’s hard. Together we help each other, and it becomes doable.
- There are many messages and it takes many messengers to accomplish God’s plan. When the streams flow together, we have a mighty river!
- Our minds cannot comprehend the numbers of people we can reach as we band together. (Think about the current billionaires. They got there because of the numbers).
- We can literally reach the world. (If you don’t believe me, click on the button at the top right of the page which says, English, and watch the page translate before your eyes).
We stand at an amazing moment in time.
God has given us the digital world for His Purposes. And He has great plans for its use!
If you have had ideas about starting a blog, or writing a book, or beginning a podcast, or wanting to teach on YouTube, your moment is here.
People are tuning in to God’s spirit. They are beginning to realize that they need Him more than ever.
Or, for the first time, they are reaching out to Him. They are searching for answers to the big questions.
They are praying. They are seeking.
And they are ready for you to help them learn more.
If you feel that you are part of this, go to https://OurCBI.com and sign up at the bottom of the page.
This is really our time!
In the meantime,
Keep on Soaring!
