The Word

 

The Arts

 

a.      The Shadow of the Internet

                                                               i.      The Assessment

                                                             ii.      The Analysis

b.      Vision of Light

                                                               i.      Can We Turn the Tide?

                                                             ii.      The Prescription

c.      HFC Mission

                                                              i.      heArtsforChrist.net™

                                                            ii.      heArts for Christ Center™

d.      5 Purpose Driven Objectives

                                                               i.      Worship God

                                                             ii.      Support the Body

                                                            iii.      Development of full maturity of Christ.

                                                            iv.      Provide Services to Others

                                                             v.      Reaching and Witnessing as Missionaries

e.      HFC Divisions

                                                               i.      The Way

                                                             ii.      The Body

                                                            iii.      The Word

                                                            iv.      The Wisdom

                                                              v.      The Truth

                                                            vi.      The Alternative

f.        The heART’s for Christ Center™

                                                               i.      Computer Training Courses

                                                             ii.      Bible Study Courses

                                                            iii.      Music Courses

                                                            iv.      Dance Courses

                                                              v.      Rehabilitation

                                                            vi.      Street Evangelism

                                                           vii.      Inter-Ministry Development

 

You can view a downloadable version of this HFC Vision here.

 

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The HFC Vision Outline

    1. The Shadow of the Internet

 

                                                               i.            The Assessment: Today we are standing on the verge of an even greater revolution than any before in history. One that will change American (and world) culture in even greater ways than any revolution in the past. As wireless broadband internet access becomes commonplace. More people are getting online every day, and retail sales on-line have been growing every year. Consider these statistics:

1.       Est. # of people on-line, World Total: 605.6 million: U.S. and Canada: 182.7 million. (Source: Nua Internet Surveys, 9-02)

2.       168 million Americans are on-line. On average, they spend 12 hours a month visiting 49 different websites. (Source: Nielsen-Netratings, 12/02)

3.       In the U.S., the number of broadband users rose 59% in 2002 to 33.6 million Americans. (Source: Nielsen-Netratings, 12/02)

4.       The Internet just surpassed TV, newspapers, and radio as the #1 source of information for Americans who have access. (Source: ZDNet News 2/03)

5.       2002 holiday on-line retail sales were $13.8 billion, a 27% increase over 2001. (Source: ComScore 1/03)

6.       Rapid growth of Wi-Fi – wireless broadband “Hot Spots” are popping up all over- airports, Starbucks, Borders- even McDonald’s. According to Pyramid Research, 25,000 hotels will offer Wi-Fi by 2007, up from just 1,000 in 2002.

7.       Online Gambling is an addictive temptation for an increasing number of people around the world, and the online gambling industry is growing at an incredible rate:

 

 

 

8.       Surpassing online gambling in both its growth rate, annual revenues, and addictive nature is another industry- Internet pornography:

a.       Today, there are more than 280,000 pornographic web sites

b.       The online porn industry generates an estimated $20 billion in revenue each year…and growing

c.       51% of pastors surveyed say Internet pornography is a temptation, 40% say they have visited pornographic sites, and 37% say it is a current bondage (Source: Christianity Today leadership survey, 2001)

 

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                                                             ii.            The Analysis: Statistics don’t tell the entire story. One must analyze the situation to see the need for help. The bondage of Internet gambling and pornography affects many more than just those caught in addiction- it affects marriages, children, and entire churches.  Satan has been winning the battle on-line. The pastors of our nation are admitting to struggling with Internet pornography. What about the men in their churches, the teenagers, the children? This is a Secret War that is happening in homes and at churches every day.

 

1.       Even though the Church faces great challenges today, there is also a tremendous opportunity in the new communication medium of the Internet. But for the most part, Christians and churches have not utilized this medium effectively for evangelism, discipleship, and ministry. People on-line are not just statistics, but are a mission field that needs to be reached.

 

a.       168 million Americans are on-line. On average, they spend 12 hours a month visiting 49 different websites. (Source: Nielsen-Netratings, 12/02)

b.       In the U.S., the number of broadband users rose 59% in 2002 to 33.6 million Americans. (Source: Nielsen-Netratings, 12/02)

c.       The Internet just surpassed TV, newspapers, and radio as the #1 source of information for Americans who have access. (Source: ZDNet News 2/03)

 

 

2.       Hundreds of thousands of people around the world are logging on to the internet at this very moment. At any given time of the day, sites like Yahoo, MSN, Al Jazeera, CNN, FHM, Part Poker and others, have hundreds of thousands of visitors viewing their site. Though filled with interesting information, the internet is also filled with unspeakable images, ideas, idolatry and worse. They internet has become the devils playground. (Idol Minds!!!!!!!) People are sitting around bored in their office, bored at home or bored in the classroom, and looking for some thing to occupy their minds. What better way for the devil to bring this mental playground of his into the home or office of the susceptible mind. Believe it or not, the internet is shaping and forming our youth and it is almost as influential as parents are these days. Think about it, some kids spend more time online or playing video games, than they spend with parents.

 

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    1. Vision of Light:

                                                               i.            Can we turn the tide? Can churches and families be protected from the evil online, and can the Internet be used to change lives through evangelism and discipleship? The answer is YES! Many lives will be changed through the reach of the Internet and the power of God’s Word!  Just as God has created his "Lighthouses" or "Outposts" amongst the darkest of regions throughout the earth, we can put one on the internet. In the digital age, the enemy has captured the minds that get lured into these online communities. We can create an internet outpost for God. A "Lighthouse", so to speak, where people have fun, God-inspiring, community based fun, while surfing at home, in the office or on your laptop somewhere. 

                                                             ii.            The Prescription: For the most part, church websites are not intended to be evangelistic. Typical church website content includes information about the church, service times, statement of beliefs, programs, etc. The target audience is the church’s members and other Christians who may be looking for a church.  An unchurched person is probably not inclined to get up on Sunday morning, put on a suit, and visit a nearby church but there could be a starting point for those who want to be introduced into a Christian Community. The internet needs a website to share Jesus in a relevant way with today’s generations, and to provide churches with way to utilize the Internet for evangelism. A place for people of all ages, races, and backgrounds who are searching for truth, can find life-changing answers. A site that is uncompromising in the message of Salvation through faith in Christ alone.

 

 

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    1. Mission:

                                                               i.            heArtsforChrist.net™: A Global nondenominational (Tran-denominational) Christian Resource Center, providing the body and our beloved saints, with tools and resources to help grow the body and to share in the truth of the gospel of Jesus Christ, with others.

                                                             ii.            heArts for Christ Center™: A Christian center that can house teachers, counselors, students, homeless, ex-prisoners, drug rehab patients and troubled youth, gathered to help each other find the life offered by Christ. A home that not only teaches them about the life of Christ, but a center that promotes the use of the Arts as a means to reach out and express Gods love to each other. A means to help each other find our purpose for Christ. An outpost to help the Santa Barbara community find artistic Christian alternatives to the secular majority of healing programs.

 

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    1. 5 Purpose Driven Objectives

                                                               i.            Worship God: Providing a source of God-inspired activities, Games and tools. The function of the site shall reflect in all aspects, worship. Providing a forum of activities that draw oneself into a worshipping state of mind. Providing an alternative to the majority of sites promoting Idolatry. This site will be an online refuge from the typical content found in the worlds most popular sites. Remember, a majority of people searching the web are doing just that, searching! and unless they are guided, or know exactly what they are looking for, are prey to the devil lures and bait.. They are misled into worshipping; macabre, porn, music, musicians, spiritual adultery, false prophets and the media moguls who spin it together. This site will provide people with alternatives such as prayer, studying the word, painting/writing workshops, online spiritual counseling, God-inspired music, events, seminars, etc.... 

                                                             ii.            Support the Body: To provide an online community for believers of all ages. Connecting the various members of the body through understanding. Emphasizing on trans-denominational features and articles. Input and information should represent various age groups to bridge the gap between ages. Reviews and articles that may be submitted by the visitors and people around the world. A forum of testimonies and post board memos for missionary work going on around the world. A forum that connects the various ministries of the body to each other. From corporate businessmen ministries, to homeless ministries, to singles ministries, to surf ministries, to outreach ministries, it may be good that one hears testimony of the other and vice versa. Someone who ministers to single mothers may be able to get in touch or read an article about someone who ministers to substance abusers or other related problems of the lost. One member of the church may have just had his home burnt down while another member is looking for a roommate to help with the rent. Connecting the body shall be a major function of this site. The site may also function as a platform to provide a free forum for future writers, graphic designers, journalists, artists, photographers, web designers and more, in Christ’s name.

                                                            iii.            Develop people into a full maturity of Christ Jesus: To provide a library of educational resources (to be used in addition to the very word of God; The Bible), books, sermons and references. Lessons and articles based on the teachings of the New Testament. Ultimately, we will share the teachings of Jesus Christ and allow everyone access to the Word. We can provide forums and chat rooms and we can encourage bible discussion and studies to take place on-line. To build us up in Jesus Christ and to help in our spiritual growth and maturity in Him. Bringing people into the Son of God, into a full maturity, and image of Christ Jesus.

                                                            iv.            To provide a service to others, for God. Through free biblical education, home bible study resources, community events and organizations. Connecting with these communities, local organizations, outreaches, and churches to provide information to those in need of spiritual, mental or emotional support. Working with the local schools and youth organizations to provide support for the community and looking for ways to serve the community through our business and outreach partners in Christ Jesus. Serving the community. I can come up with endless ideas for this section.

                                                              v.            Reaching and witnessing as missionaries: To provide the billions of information-hungry, internet-browsers around the world, that are logging on to news sites, web portals, search engines and other unspeakable destinations, with a site that God uses to do his work A site God uses to reach those lost children and adults, wandering the wilderness of this new electronic frontier, seeking refuge from the pain and uncertainty of this world. A place where those seeking answers, can be led to the truth of hope and life. We know the people surfing the net include people like this: bored-with-their-job cubicle workers, overworked and stressed out managers seeking an escape, junior high kids looking for games and chat rooms, high school students either researching for school projects or personal interests, lonely people looking for an alternative to the pain of rejection and peer cruelty, and there’s more. The Internet is a wilderness in its own respect and many lives are being formed by it. This site will be an Internet “Lighthouse”, a victory post in the midst of the devils Internet-age campaign of evil.

 

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    1. Models

                                                               i.            The Way: Introduction to Jesus in an internationally, relevant way for today’s generation. Internet-Age Evangelism for all ages, races, and backgrounds who are searching for truth and life-changing answers. The message of Salvation through faith in Christ alone.

                                                             ii.            The Body: An International Online-Community site. Just as Yahoo attracts millions of people a day to use Yahoo’s free tools, read the latest news, catch the latest trends, join others in the community games and chat rooms, many believers will have a safe homepage. What keeps the people coming back is the simple structure yet abundance of free resources. HFC will utilize the body of Christ’s artists, to develop a site that is trendy, user-friendly and resourceful. It will be a site worth returning to, for both believers and those whom Gods wants to reach through this ministry.

                                                            iii.            The Word: Links to Bible verses and devotionals. Audio sermons and messages to help bring God into your busy work schedules. We know that many internet users only have a few minutes during lunch breaks for personal browsing. Here you can also find articles and sermons from local and international pastors, teachers and evangelicals.

                                                            iv.            The Wisdom: A resource and education inspired by the WebMD and Microsoft Encarta (encyclopedia) models. An online-encyclopedia of educational resources and information. Much like the Calvary Chapel NKJV CD packet, only much more in depth. The site can serve as a tool for everybody to have access to bible stories, children's versions, in text or in audio mp3’s of the Bible in various translations. A section of the site that acts as an accordance or super search engine for A site the can store  the many sermons acquired through the body of the church, either in audio or video format to be downloaded and viewed from home. Printable resources can be made easily available to visitors to download or print. Home study lessons and packets made available free to print and share from anywhere around the world.

                                                              v.            The Truth: A fresh resource for Christian-based news events in the community and throughout the world. Similar to popular newspaper sites or network news sites like: MSNBC or CNN.com. Providing informative headlines and the direction of today's church. A newspaper/newsletter or magazine format. Perhaps similar to Cosmopolitan, Newsweek or Time magazine layouts. Containing several points of information, quotes and biblical tidbits throughout the entire site. Allowing an open forum for healthy discussion and debate regarding the world’s latest trends and headlines.

                                                            vi.            The Alternative: The most popular sites among youth are those music file swapping sites such as Kazaa and Napster. We can provide a God-inspired, music file-sharing, community. It can be used to help promote local musicians, artists and writers that have been inspired by God. Providing a legal and Christian alternative to those sites. We can work with Christian music record labels and artists to create an online musical storefronts and apparel companies.

1.       Music: We can begin by promoting young and local new Christian bands by sponsoring websites and on-line distribution promotions. By utilizing the latest in Mp3 technology, HFC will allow for the musicians to have a low cost portal for international distribution and exposure. We will also review and recommend today’s most popular and up and coming Christian groups.

2.       Apparel: We will also open up channels to sponsor, young up and coming artists to create and promote their own clothing designs, selling their t-shirts on our websites. We can also provide channels to market and sell these items on our affiliated sites and churches. Spreading the word and hand of Christ in His artists, through the body.

 

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    1. heART’s for Christ Center™

 

                                                               i.            This vision includes a center that can house teachers, counselors, students, homeless, ex-prisoners, drug rehab patients and troubled youth, gathered to find the life offered by Christ. Many organizations provide a rehab program or a good discipleship program or a good work program and even ministries that help you find your hearts passion and the artist within. At the HFCC, we will provide a center that not only helps people come to Christ, but helps them live a full life with Christ, in Christ. A home that not only teaches them about the life of Christ, but a center that promotes the use of the Arts as a means to reach out and express Gods love. A means to find ones purpose for Christ.

1.       Computer Training: There we can have computer learning classes for ex-taggers, graphic designers, t-shirt designers, website designers, etc… Teaching them to utilize their God-given gifts in a God-inspired manner.

2.       Bible Study: We can have regularly scheduled bible study classes and sermons to help the body grow in each other and in Christ.

3.       Music: We can promote music and have music classes and alternating worship programs. Teaching people how to play instruments, record music or write their own poetry/music

4.       Dance: Now that God has shown his grace in the reflective arts, it would only be natural to include dance. With dance and its popular up tempo style of music, being prevalent on todays club scene, its only appropriate that

5.       Rehabilitation: We can have a section of the center facilitated to help recovering addicts or ex-cons who have given their lives to Christ and need help learning to live a life in the outside world.

6.       Street Evangelism:  We can help promote the increasing need to get out on the streets and bring those lost street people to Christ. Getting people connected to local churches, organizations and job opportunities are important but all things are second to the important emphasis on bringing people to Jesus Christ first.

7.       Inter-Ministry Development: A group of various advocates (deacons) who gather combining various ministries to discuss and share the workings of God in different ministries. Allowing the various deacons to separate the Scriptural truths from the cultural traditions. Thus posting all findings and sharing among the ministries where relevant. Posting this information to an Inter-denominational newsletter sent out to the world.

 

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