Cyberministry thrives at Purdue

By Steve Cain
Campus Minister, Purdue University

Since we have a School of Computer Science here at Purdue, we regularly have in our worship eighteen year old "geeks" who know a lot about computing. As a result, Wesley Foundation has been experimenting with cyberministry for over six years now.

Our first cyberministry was begun because South Conference young adult Kathy Huizinga from the Old Orchard UMC came into my office, sat down and said: "Steve, why don't we begin to use the Internet for ministry?"

She gave us her idea and we began "The Spiritual Vitamin," a student-named, student-administrated, week day lifter-upper using quotes and quips and Biblical citations. After Kathy as administrator there came others: James Divine, Eric Shewmaker, Bethany Ashby, Dan Salas, Julie Patterson, and now Sayonne Thalilopavan. God always sends a student to take the lead, and our idea has been copied and adapted all over the country and in the annual conference. The numbers served has reached over 650 daily. And this story just goes to prove what I've always known -- some of the best ideas for ministry come from students who are living their faith on campus. I always listen to these ideas!

You can subscribe by checking our Web site at www.wesleyfoundation.org. While there you can check out other attempts to use email for ministry and check our schedule. our board and staff pictures. Check out my letter, and Pat's, as well; and leave a prayer request. It will be prayed for on Tuesdays at Prayerworks.

Send us your suggestions. This Web site is up less than a year, and we are working to do the most effective ministry possible at Wesley Foundation.

Last updated January 14, 2004

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