Lausanne World Pulse – Themed Articles – The 21st Century Roman Road: How Technology Is Changing Missions

By Troy Carl
June / July 2010

In the ministry where I serve, our answer is in providing Audio New Testaments in hundreds of languages free of charge in easy-to-use digital formats that include downloads, streaming, and solar-powered playback units. We are also developing a Digital Bible Project, designed to be the world’s largest repository of digital Bible content, freely available online or through cell phones, mobile music players, and e-readers.

We don’t have the luxury to consider our options for years on end—the first one to stake a claim online often ends up dominating the market. Now is the time to “fill the earth . . . with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea” (Habakkuk 2:14).

Technology and the worlds’ systems aren’t going to wait for the believing community to catch our breath. And it continues to change rapidly. Just six years ago Facebook didn’t exist. So if you have a five-year plan for your ministry, new technology and online outlets for effective ministry may emerge before the year’s end. Field missionaries must remain flexible to cultural dynamics and current events. Technology missionaries must do the same.

The digital “Roman road” has been built. Once again, the Lord has provided a way to spread the good news to places otherwise unreachable. It is the mission community’s to use—or lose.

Troy Carl is the national director of Faith Comes By Hearing. He has served as a pastor and mission director. Carl was the president and CEO of a telecommunications company and served on the Board of Directors of another Internet company with gross sales of over $50 million USD. He is a gifted pioneer and visionary, seeking to make God’s word in audio available through innovative audio Bible discipleship efforts.