Success is always accompanied by growth. And for the Jesus is Lord (JIL) Church which is one of the most successful Churches not only in the Philippines but in the world, growth comes in many forms, including optimizing technology to minister to people.
For the first time, the JIL Church engaged in a webinar during the “Intimacy with God: Reaching Deeper into the Heart of God” Conference held last September 15 at the Music Museum in San Juan City and September 16 at the JIL Church in Tanauan, Batangas. The Conference featured internationally sought-after author and speaker Bob Sorge.
The webinar enabled Musikatha, the Conference organizer, to connect the 2-day event to both local and international JIL congregations which availed of the webinar. Such “connection” was referred to as “Church Conference Extensions.”
Musikatha partnered with the JIL Church’s Management Information System (MIS) Department.
Webinar, as defined by www.webodia.com, is a contraction for web-based seminar which is a “presentation, lecture, workshop or seminar that is transmitted over the web.”
The MIS Department ventured into livestreaming JIL activities such as Sunday worship services and Church fora early this year but the webinar for a Conference was MIS’ first last September 15 and 16.
Those who registered for the webinar for a minimal amount were JIL Churches in Pampanga, Pangasinan, and Bulacan. Individual members from JIL Churches all over the Philippines and JIL Churches in Hong Kong and Abu Dhabi also availed of the webinar.
“Most of the time, we are not up-to-date with regard to church-related activities and conferences in the Philippines. But now that is about to change! We can already keep up because of this new technology introduced! This is a blessing to us since we don’t get a lot of conferences in our area where we can receive more learning and feeding,” says Ptr. Liza Asis of JIL Hong Kong.
“It was a memorable experience because for the first time through the web, we were able to witness the activities held in Manila. God has moved in Pampanga in the same way that He has moved in Music Museum. This is one proof that nothing can limit God’s move and presence,” the Creative Arts Ministry (CAM) of JIL Pampanga also shares.
Since the 2-day Conference happened on working days, the webinar provided means for those who could not be physically present in San Juan City or Batangas to be ministered as well. Sis. Lara May Aguilar shares, “My first webinar experience was hassle free… I never thought I’d be dancing, singing, and praying– totally worshiping in front of the computer, but I just did! “
This successful pilot webinar project of the MIS Department has become an inspiration for more webinars in the future. MIS Director Ms. Soc Garcia says, “This would be the start of something greater and bigger. We already have so many plans lined-up which would use livestreaming and webinar to reach and connect to our members worldwide.”
“Technology is a gift from God which we should exploit to expand His kingdom,” Ms. Garcia adds. – JCP
* Intimacy with God conference videos are still available for viewing. Click hereto know more.