Saved by internet tech?

Al Gore’s invention (“During my service in the United States Congress, I took initiative in creating the internet…”) has a checkered history. Internet Tech has become as ubiquitous as Starbucks in the world of 2019, but it’s gone from simply a tool, to a political one.

Since the 90’s, Internet Tech companies continually have increased in number in Silicon Valley and Seattle, but now their leaders are hard to miss on Capitol Hill.

You likely have heard of Microsoft’s win of a landmark Pentagon multibillion-dollar Internet Tech contract, which gives them a bigger seat in Washington, beating out Amazon. Yet, what does Facebook, Apple, Google, and Amazon Web Services have to gain by spending millions of dollars in Washington, DC in lobbying expenditures each year?

This week’s news also captured FaceBook’s leader, Mark Zuckerberg, increasing his political endeavors. FaceBook’s Capitol Hill lobbying efforts tally over $12 million to date in 2019. Does a 25% increase (when compared the same period in 2018) in lobbying expenditures to sway politicians to FaceBook’s agenda seem like a major increase to you?

Mr. Zuckerberg also took to the podium for a speech at Georgetown University, where he further described the methods FaceBook employs to tighten controls on who can run political ads on their Internet Tech, limiting first amendment rights for some, while still preserving Facebook’s commitment to freedom of speech for others.

Yet, then there’s Walt Wilson. He has an interesting mix of past-life assignments, from his stint in the US Marines to his early career experience with Apple Computer as managing director of US Operations. Four decades of experience – working mostly from Silicon Valley – kept Walt on the front line of Internet Tech.

Before the internet replaced direct human interaction, Walt saw the potential to exploit technology with theology. The Apostle Paul wrote to the sophisticated Christians who lived in the Capitol of the World, Rome: “‘Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.’ How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard?” (Romans 10:13-14). If salvation is the objective, communication is the imperative. How could the followers of Jesus use the world wide web to get the word out, about Jesus?

Global Media Outreach is Walt’s brain-child. In 15 years, they have seen over 200 million people indicate their decision to follow Jesus Christ from their various websites (track ‘em on their dashboard, witnesstoall.com). They match inquirers from around the world – many from some of the world’s most closed countries – with “online missionaries” (Christians just like… you) who meet the inquirer via a website, and usher them into early steps of the faith.

Saved by Internet Tech? Obviously, the internet cannot save anyone; Jesus saves. I just said that to get your attention.

What world-changing idea might you have that could grow God’s Kingdom and be a game-changer against the backdrop of Eternity?

Bob Shank