Image source: Facebook.com/GloryMediaHouse
In the digital age of communication, the internet is a crucial platform for evangelism – especially for Churches that need to reach out to the younger generation or those who are isolated, far from home or housebound.
The latest market report by the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) reveals that for the first time in Uganda, the total internet subscriptions have crossed the 20 million mark, suggesting that nearly one in every two Ugandans has internet access.
This is already evident among some christian Churches.
Covenant Nations Church where Patience Museveni Rwabwogo is lead Pastor said in a report highlighting the ministry achievements of 2020 that, “we have been able to reach more people through our online platforms and television, than we were able to during in-person services.”
Other like Worship House – Nansana, Miracle Centre Cathedral – Rubaga also reported huge increases in the number of people tuning into their online Church services.
Zoom-worship, church services from Facebook and Youtube live, spiritual influencers, Minecraft-services, and intercession hotspots are just some of the examples given by Church technology and social media gurus.
The director of global Faith-Based Partnerships at Facebook Ms Nona Jones revealed during an interview with media that a growing number of Churches utilized the platform to keep spreading the good news since majority opted to close their doors in the face of the risks posed by the cornonavirus outbreak.
“There’s been a pretty significant surge in the number of not only live-streams but also people viewing worship online and I think one of the things that’s really important is for everyone to know Facebook is here,” said Jones.
Uganda Communications Commission however noted that this growth in total Internet subscriptions does not take into consideration the fact that some people have more than one gadget connected to the internet.
The communications regulator also attributed the growth to the shifting work culture driven by the COVID-19 pandemic, which led many businesses to adopt remote working methods, per the report covering July-September 2020.
UCC also reported more than 1 million new mobile subscriptions in the months of July, August and September 2020 as the market topped 26.5 million fixed and cellular subscriptions.
New questions
The new formats of digital evangelism however raise new questions. One of them regards Holy Communion, giving and baptism. For some, the idea of communion online has sparked a theological discussion within the church.
Pastoral care, especially among those considered high-risk groups for COVID-19, and those with deafblindness, was another challenge.
