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Paul wrote, “Devote yourselves to prayer, keeping alert in it with an attitude of thanksgiving; praying at the same time for us as well,
that God will open up to us a door for the word, so that we may speak forth the mystery of Christ.” Colossians 4:2-3. An immense door of opportunity has opened in Cyberspace ... a door for the Word opening wider
every day.
The online mission field. The Internet has dramatically changed lives throughout much of our world ... changed the way we
communicate, learn, play, shop, get news, build relationships, and find information. In addition, it has changed how we perceive our spiritual experience and development. The CyberAtlas Stats Toolbox
(cyberatlas.internet.com) reports estimates of the 2003 online population at 580 to 655 million worldwide. It also reports estimates of growth (from 22% to 44%) to 709.1 to 945 million in 2004. USA Today reported
that over 25% of those online have searched for religious content. Jesus said, "Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields, that they are white for harvest", John 4:35. There is a massive field for
ministry open through the Internet. A new generation is emerging that will never know life without a personal connection to the Internet. We must lift up our eyes and hearts to look on this expansive opportunity.
This borderless electronic mission field is particularly suited for effective and efficient obedience to the Great Commission to "make disciples of all the nations". The Internet provides a worldwide 24/7
open door.
Internet Populations. Global Reach (www.glreach.com/globstats/) estimates the top ten online populations by native language to be
as follows. Since many multi-lingual people outside of English-speaking countries are fluent in English, the actual English-speaking online population is much larger than the number of native English-speakers
reported below.
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English
Chinese
Japanese
Spanish
German
Korean
Italian
French
Russian
Dutch
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230,600,000
68,400,000
61,400,000
47,200,000
42,000,000
28,300,000
24,000,000
22,000,000
18,400,000
12,400,000
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Conclusions.
Internet statistics can hardly keep up with the proliferation of its use. Growth often exceeds projections before statistics can be published. The Internet provides an immense and growing ministry opportunity. The online population is an open mission field in which many of the
remotest parts of the earth are now in digital arm’s reach. The Internet is an effective and efficient means of disciplemaking and evangelism ... 24/7 throughout the online world. The door of
opportunity is opening wider each day as more and more people come online in Cyberspace.
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