By Keanu Henri S. Yu
4th Consolation Prize Winner

The author is in Third Year, Section C, at Corpus Christi School, Macasandig, Cagayan de Oro City.

Thanks to the work of some of the most brilliant and hardworking men, technology has been taken to a whole new level. It has been, and continues to be, an essential factor in the enhancement of our way of life. It never fails to amaze us with how much help it contributes to our daily lives, especially when it comes to communication. And it’s all thanks to this that we possess a greater chance of spreading the Good News of the Lord and by which we can evangelize others, convincing them to convert to Christianity.

It’s also in this sort of religious community where the youth, who comprise a greater part of the population, can work together for a better community. Aside from my service in the Catholic community as a member of Youth for Christ, I am a teenager; privileged to be studying in a well-renowned school. Eating three meals a day with a complete family, and being able to race with the advanced technology this modern world offers, and based on my knowledge of the technology nowadays, I can say that it is one of the quickest gateways through which one can evangelize other members of the populace.

Look at the youth of the present-day; what are they addicted to? Nothing else but the internet: and it is not only a manifestation of advanced technology, but is also a great means of communication. Thus, Christians can use it as a means of telling other people about Christ and convincing them to change in their belief, and be part of the Christian community.

Although most missionaries and evangelists still use the effective methods of preaching and missionary work, we should also think about what we can do with technology. A great way to use technology to our advantage is through the creation of religious interactive websites such as blog sites. These kinds of sites can attract thousands, if not millions of people. Here, they can interact with us and and we may even be able to answer their questions such as what is our belief abut, how we can serve our God, etc. In doing so, we can increase our chance of evangelizing people since we will already be able to put give them some knowledge about our religion.

We can also post videos on well-renowned sites, such as YouTube.com, which is visited by millions of the population. If people’s minds will be instilled with this sense of believing in any religion, we will be able to influence them and give them knowledge that technology is not only for fun and leisure or for work but that it can also be used to tell other people about our own beliefs and, in a way, influence them to be better persons in the spiritual manner. If we are able to manipulate technology for evangelization, we will already be able to do so much with just a few clicks on the keyboard and some effort and hard work.

Despite these possible means of a faster method of evangelism, it will still not be assured that the work needed to be done will be easy and problem-free. Technology itself can offer us obstacles that will surely test us in our venture. Other people who are not Christians can freely comment on our way of belief. They can also try to convince others not to convert to Christianity. Some or even most of the people who use the internet will also not be easily influenced by simple e-mails or websites claiming the truth and convincing them to be evangelized.

Evangelism, be it through the normal missionary work, or through the hi-tech way, will always pose the hardest possible difficulties. Nevertheless, commitment and hard work will always be the most essential factors in evangelism. I myself have continued to work in the Christian community in order to make Him even more known to other members of our population. And I can tell you, that such community service offers us its own benefits: benefits that will not only help in your everyday lives but that are sure to change your perception of the Christian’s way of life.