The idea of using the Internet to evangelize has been bandied about for some time. There are several web pages devoted to explaining the Gospel, and many discipling e-mail groups. However, once again, these are for the most part only affecting people who have already heard the Gospel, and either accepted it or rejected it. Most visitors to the home pages of Christian organizations will be Christians. As far as evangelizing World A, the chief problem is the unevangelized peoples of the world are typically too poor to afford a computer, much less a connection to the Internet.
For example, out of several hundred million Han Chinese, the Shenzen Securities Times reported only 60,000 presently use the Internet. An imported Internet-ready computer would cost the average Chinese farmer over 10 years’ wages. 900 million Chinese earned only $150 per person, according to the Chinese State Statistical Bureau. However, the Securities Times predicts a 25% growth in the computer industry during the next five years; the overall market is estimated to reach 150.5 billion yuan (roughly US$18 billion) by AD 2000. China’s economy is thought to have the potential to rival the United States by sometime in the early 21st century. As other underdeveloped nations become more industrialized, more people will begin using computers as well.
Nevertheless, although some inroads may be made via the Internet, the potential for evangelizing World A groups through this medium is slim. It is very likely most groups will be evangelized long before they ever acquire advanced technologies.
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