The reality about virtual evangelism

8 May 2009

Church Army Evangelist Steve Simmonds tells the fascinating story of Kerry, who he met via the virtual world of YoVille recently.

"I'm a big fan of YoVille,which is a Facebook application, where you can create an avatar or yourself, and then enter a virtual world full of coffee bars, night clubs, a beach, a factory, motocross and so forth. You have your own apartment, and earn money by winning games of noughts and crosses, paper/scissors/stone, and by telling jokes and dancing!

Kerry was new to YoVille. Everyone likes a new person because they don't know what they are doing, so they can be swindled out of money (just like the real world, unfortunately). I make it my duty to help these people round the site, get them started, and be there if they need help.

Kerry was low, in the middle of a separation from her husband, and her self-esteem was almost non-existent. We had lots of conversations, and I eventually told her that counselling was one of my skills. Well, we agreed to meet, to see if I could help in any way. After that meeting we continued 'chatting' via the internet, and a month later I asked Kerry if she wanted me to pray for her. She said yes, so - online - we said a prayer together (well, I typed the prayer, and she replied 'Amen').

Kerry began to tell me how she was starting to regain her identity. Then one day I mentioned I was going to a Communion service, and she asked me to explain what that was. Kerry loved the idea and we are arranging for her to come from to Nottingham, to attend Communion.

After 3 months the question is: am I making a difference? Well, Kerry said to me 'no one's ever talked to me about Jesus'. She still asks for prayer, and she would now like a Bible. So, thanks to a chance meeting on the internet, her life seems to be improving and her faith is certainly growing.

A word of advice: Kerry knows I'm married, and that I continually update my spiritual director with her situation. I am also looking for the right woman to be a spiritual mother to Kerry. Whether real world or virtual, you cannot forget that everyone's safety has to be paramount, including your own."

Read more about Steve and his work on this website.