LENEXA, Kan. – Every Christian has a story to tell, and now there is one more way to spread that story far and wide.
Steve Barnes, a minister on staff at Lenexa Baptist Church (a Missouri Baptist Convention-affiliated church, despite their west-of-the-border geography), is the brains behind 1millionstories.org, a website that helps people share the story of how Christ changed their lives. The site is free, available to churches and individuals, and is quick and easy to use for both the Christian and those seeking to learn more.
“It’s high-tech and high-touch,” Barnes said. “The purpose is to simplify sharing the Gospel. You have everything you need if you know Christ.”
1millionstories.org lets users upload their story in written or video format, then Barnes mails out physical cards with the site’s web address and a space for that person’s specific story number. The cards then point anyone to that specific story.
“You can point them to the site whether you have 30 minutes to talk or 5 seconds at the drive-through,” Barnes said. “Even if both people are in a rush, the evangelistic effort doesn’t end at the conversation.”
For the nonbeliever, 1MillionStories.org is a safe place they can visit privately to see how Jesus Christ transforms the lives of people from diverse backgrounds and circumstances. The goal is for them to discover how they too can have a personal relationship with the Savior of the world.
Visitors can browse other users’ stories, and each one is tagged by certain categories. This searches testimonies pertaining to 50 or so specific topics, such as abortion, divorce, financial woes, trust and fear.
“If there’s a history of alcoholism, a lost loved one or any other issue, they can search and find all the stories that deal with it,” Barnes said. “The common denominator is that they all point to Christ as the only one that can truly help you with those challenges in your life.”
Each story has a social media share option, and each story can easily be translated into any language with a click. It also allows a reader to e-mail the story’s author.
As they learn of Christ’s power in the lives of others, they are led to a point of decision in their own life, a fork in the road. 1MillionStories.org walks them through the process of why they need Christ, how they can have a relationship with Him, and offers tools and resources they can access if they still have doubts or questions.
And for those who make decisions for Christ, they can learn how to begin their walk with Jesus right then and there.
“It’s just a tool,” Barnes said, “but even the most timid and shy person can share his faith this way.”
Church leaders can use the site to mobilize their congregations for evangelism, and Barnes can provide a tailored plan of action and complimentary story cards that are personalized to individual churches.
For more information, go to 1millionstories.org or email contact@1millionstories.org.