USA (MNN) — A quick scroll through social media reveals people and businesses showing not just their year in review, but the past decade. Looking back on the last ten years with us is evangelist Sammy Tippit, founder and president of Sammy Tippit Ministries.
(Photo courtesy of Sammy Tippit ministries via Facebook)
Tippit says this past decade opened up opportunities for ministry in a way he never imagined possible. Technology has given ministries the ability to cross borders and enter countries in some unexpected ways. Social media and other communication tools have connected people near and far, enabling the building of relationships that would have otherwise never happened.
“As a result of that, ministry, especially evangelism and discipleship, is able to be done in creative ways, more effective ways, and we’re able to reach more people with the Gospel. One of the exciting things is that it can be done at a very, very low cost, and so this has just opened up a whole new world of mission opportunities,” Tippit says.
Technology in Ministry
Technology connects Tippit with people where no Christians live and provides him the tools to share Christ. Five years ago, Tippit used Skype to mentor a young pastor in India. When the pastor started a church, he enlisted Tippit to help with discipling new believers.
(Stock photo via Pixabay)
“I actually had the ability to disciple people from here in the United States using that simple technology,” Tippit says.
“Well, that has developed, and other technologies have come up since that time. Even…Facebook, it’s opened doors to other technologies like WhatsApp that have enabled not only a broader way of ministering to people but a deeper way of ministering to people.”
Tippit notes all ministry is rooted in communication and relationships. Technology enabling people to communicate has also helped them build robust relationships, too. These relationships have expanded and grown the global Church.
Church Planting and Small Groups
Sammy Tippit Ministries has planted several churches over the last ten years, including churches in countries Tippit has not visited. Relationships, built through multiple technological mediums, led to collaborations, friendships, and partnerships. Tippit applied opportunities for evangelistic events where few Christians live. Then, a local church planter disciples new believers and eventually forms a small church.
“We’ve done this in numerous places. That was unthinkable ten years ago,” Tippit comments.
(Photo courtesy of Sammy Tippit Ministries via Facebook)
With hours left until the start of a new year, Sammy Tippit Ministries is looking toward 2020 with hope and ambition. Tippit emphasizes technology can “only assist human relationships; it never replaces human relationships.”
For example, Sammy Tippit Ministries uses technology to assist in relationship building and connecting people through small groups. The ministry is developing and resourcing small groups connected via technology, like WhatsApp or even text messaging. This means a person in the United States can join a small group with someone in Brazil. These small groups will launch at the beginning of 2020.
To learn more about the small groups, click here!
Pray for Sammy Tippit Ministries
Will you consider coming alongside the ministry of Sammy Tippit Ministries? Tippit asks for prayers.
“This year will be a huge step for us, and we have a lot of pieces that are coming together and we really, really need people to pray that God gives us the wisdom, that God gives us the people: the right people in the right place doing the right thing,” Tippit says.
Another way to come alongside this ministry is through financial support. To give to Sammy Tippit Ministries, click here!
“We’re hoping to reach, with an evangelistic outreach, 10,000,000 people in May of 2020. You can help us do that,” Tippit says.
Photo by Jude Beck on Unsplash.
