Me? A missionary? You must be kidding! I know the world is a Christian's mission field and I must do my part, but how does a busy wife, mom, writer, editor and speaker ever manage it?
Each morning I send my professor husband off to Evangel University and THEN, I head for the "mission field," via a Macintosh computer in my home office, soon surfing the world via the World Wide Web. (Update: The "professor" is now retired...I guess I am "supposed" to be...chuckle.....but I admit, with a new MacBook Pro laptop, I can now sit in a comfy recliner in my living room and update my pages, answer my email - and eat chocolate to my heart's delight. If THIS is retirement....!!)
AND if this story, as you read it, strretches your mind, be assured it strrrretches mine! Before 1994, I did not even know how to turn ON a computer. With great fear and trembling, but feeling God's call, I took two college-level, computer classes, and God soon provided a Macintosh computer. Gradually, I gained confidence and began to surf the Net. I discovered Christian networks and resource organizations, wonderful info and education sites, and people everywhere--I was amazed!
I began meeting people, developing friendships with other Christians, and a dream began to build within me for my own "family page." But the dream was impossible! I would have to learn HTML coding and a "million" other technical things--why, I could NEVER do it! But God helped in an amazing way. I soon had a Christian family Web site. Creative ideas came fast and furious, and a simple page developed, until today you can visit "Peggie's Place!" and tour a 15-room "home" with varied resources for the Christian family.
Peggie's Place is a Christian home on the Web, thoroughly Pentecostal, presenting the Gospel of Jesus Christ in cyberspace. Its mission is to fulfill the Great Commission as outlined by our Lord in Mark 16:15, "Go ye into all the world (wide web)!" A paraphrase to be sure, but a reality of our new millennium world! Today's technology opens doors as never before to present the Gospel in accessible, attractive ways to a computerized world.
1.Evangelism
Peggie's Place contains both Christian and family-friendly links. Because it is presented in a non-threatening, home-like atmosphere, it is attractive to the non-Christian as well as the Christian believer. Home-spun humor, down-to-earth transparency--and just plain fun--attract people to return. One venture? Multilingual Christian Resources, with many international links; another venture? The Virtual Chocolate Shop--fun 'n faith abound at Peggie's Place!
Who comes? People from /territories/islands of the sea worldwide, touched by the Lord, who blesses and ministers to each one far beyond my own ability to do so.
How do people find Peggie's Place on the Internet? How is it accessed? How does it evangelize? "Let me count the ways!"
a. Word of Mouth
Many people recommended it--and so the page travels the NET by word of mouth and "favorite links" on others' pages.
A lady in Ohio wrote that, as a volunteer in public school, she is often asked, "Where can I safely take my family on the Internet?" She quickly tells them, "Peggie's Place," and wanted me to know that families of all faiths--or no faith--are visiting my home.
One lady, under the doctor's care for depression and panic/anxiety attacks, was encouraged to visit my home by a friend. She wrote, saying that a visit to Peggie's Place worked better than her medication! To God be the glory!
b. Advertising
Peggie's Place is extensively indexed in secular and Christian databases and search areas around the Web. Do a search for sports, education, travel, humor, holidays, computing, Christian, and many other topics--and Peggie's Place may just pop up anywhere you look!
c. Random Access
One day a reincarnationist/clairvoyant found my site at random. For one week, I shared the Gospel, via e-mail, with the darkest unregenerate I have ever met. He did not really come at random - God sent him to my doorstep! It was the most incredible evangelism opportunity I have ever had.
Many visitors ask for help or prayer. An agnostic exchanged several e-mails with me, and although he made no decision for Christ, the seed of the Gospel was indeed planted. An atheist visited with a heartbreaking story, and her angry-at-God-if-there-is-a-God accusations! I attempted to minister God's love to her in the kindest way possible.
Disheartened Christians end up on my doorstep, drawn by the Lord. One woman, surfing the net in depression one evening, said, "I'm going back to church. You will never know what you have done for me." That's not random--that's the Lord's doing!
d. Holiday Outreach
The Celebration Room houses many fun, holiday pages with a strong Christian witness. Visitors may be non-Christians, searching for fun--and holiday links. They visit my site, enjoy the fun and many resources, and also receive the Gospel message.
A Top Ten Christmas at Peggie's Place and Twas the Night Before Easter is widely circulated around the Internet, with many thousands visiting each holiday season. God has truly blessed this holiday effort, and many more holidays have been added.
Peggie's blog, "Fun 'n Faith for the Soul" is no longer available.
2. Worship
Lovely music by a Brazilian Christian, Gilberto Baretto, Songs of Praise welcomes the visitor. Various pages highllight music,
devotions, Christian reading, prayer. A "Prayer 'n Praise Room" is available with many links for prayer and encouragement.
God has incredibly blessed. The greatest compliments are those from various persons who express, "I felt the presence of Jesus here!" I am in awe--for it is truly the Lord's doing!
3. Building Up the Body of Christ
Peggie's Place provides inspiration and encouragement for Christians. Sixteen rooms hold many Christian resources for kids, teens and adults. Find "Words from the Well", Daily Bible Boosters, and Tickles 'n Truth, with devotional humor and inspiration for all. Most recent devotional writings include a Tower of Strength devotional collection following the 9-11 tragedy.
Devotionals are a favorite of many. One woman, reading a devo about forgiveness, later e-mailed me, "Tears began running down my face as the Holy Spirit spoke to my heart--I had been leading a double life. I had to leave my computer, get down beside my couch, and ask God's forgiveness." She wrote me later, rejoicing in her freedom in Christ.
For some time, a very active chat room provided Christian fun, friendship and outreach around the world. The room, since terminated, is now "The Chat Room Next Door" with a recommended list of Christian chat rooms and penpal lists on the Web.
One night a girl, about to commit suicide, found the chat room. Christians there talked to her and she received Christ. She later wrote me to confirm her decision and thank me for providing this room, which had saved her life.
A young Christian from Europe, struggling with his faith and fierce temptation appeared in my chat room, needing help. My husband and I spent nearly an hour encouraging him, until he finally said, "I am sitting here with tears in my eyes." He felt that God had touched Him--and I believe He had!
A Christian gal struggling with depression thanks God there was someone who cared and reached out. A young pastor's wife found encouragement and comfort after a miscarriage. (She has since e-mailed with a joyful report, one year later, of giving birth to healthy, beautiful twins!) Heartbreaking, prayer needs came from across the world. But testimonies also abound--stories of God's goodness and grace to meet the needs of hurting people.
Over 16 million hits are recorded for Peggie's Place since December 1995. How did it happen? I have no idea, except for the sovereignty and plan of God. I only know this is my mission, the place of my calling. I am fulfilled and blessed beyond measure. To God be the glory!
(
Note: The Christian Counter keeps a running total of "hits" (which include images and people "hitting" any page or pages), erroneously identified by me as "page views" for the
entire site.
--It jogs around the world and around the clock--to find
YOU!
Me? A Missionary? You had better believe it! And YOU can be one too. Hook up your modem, start traveling the WWW, learn how to make your own home page, and begin YOUR evangelism ministry. And don't forget to visit Peggie's Place! I'll be there, waiting for you--and anyone else who needs a smile, a word of encouragement, and the gospel of our wonderful Lord!
198 Countries/Territories/islands of the sea all over the World Visiting Peggie's Place
An A to Z listing!
American Samoa, Andorra, Anguilla, Antarctica, Antigua and Barbuda, Azerbaijan, Argentina, Armenia, Aruba, Austria, Australia, Azerbaijan, Barbados, Bahamas, Bahrain, Balarus, Belgium, Belize, Benin, Bermuda, Bhutan, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Cambodia, Canada, Cape Verde, Cayman Islands, Chad, Chile, China, Christmas Island, Cocos (Keeling) Islands, Congo, Columbia, Cook Islands, Costa Rica, Cote D'Ivoire, Croatia, Cuba, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Estonia, Egypt, El Salvador, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Faroe Islands, Falkland Islands, Fiji, Finland, France, French Guiana, French Polynesia, Gabon, Georgia, Gilbraltar, Great Britain, Greece, Greenland, Guadeloupe, Guam, Guana, Guatemala, Germany, Guernsey, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Hong Kong, Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Iran, Ireland, Isle of Man, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Jersey, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Kenya, Korea (South), Kuwait, Latvia, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Lebanon, Lesotho, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macau, Macedonia, Madagascar, Malaysia, Mali, Maldives, Malta, Martinique, Mauritius, Mexico, Micronesia, Moldova, Mongolia, Montserrat, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nauru, Nepal, Netherlands Antilles, New Caldonia, New Zealand, Norfolk Island, Nicaragua, Nigeria, Norway, Nive, Qatar, Oman, Pakistan, Papua, New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Panama, Puerto Rico, Romania, Russian Federation, Rwanda, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, San Marino, Senegal, SaoTome and Principe, Saudi Arabia, Saint Kitts & Nevis, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Serbia, Seychelles, Singapore, Slovak Republic, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, St. Helena, Sudan, Suriname, Syrian Arab Republic, Sweden, Swaziland, Switzerland, Tanzania, Thailand, Taiwan (province of China), Togo, Tonga, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Tuvalu Trinidad and Tobago, Turks and Caicos Islands, Uganda, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States, Uruguay, Uzbekistan, Vanuatu, Vatican City State (Holy See), Venezuela, Vietnam, Virgin Islands, Yemen, Yugoslavia, Zambia, Zimbabwe.
