Asian Internet Bible Institute

Presentation for the Encarnacio Network Conference

Who Am I ?

• John Edmiston – bible-teacher and cybermissionary.

• President of the Asian Internet Bible Institute.

• Married to Minda , a botanist from the Philippines.

• Australian, just spent 3 years in Manila, now live in LA, spend lots of time in Asia.

• Have interests in Urban Missions, Globalization, Christian Politics and issues in Science and Technology.

• Now officially with the Assemblies of God in Southern California.

Quick Overview

1. Online bible and theological training – www.aibi.ph

2. Internet cafes among unreached people groups – self-funding mission bases.

3. Web Portal for Holistic Ministry (under development)

4. Cybermissions – using the Internet for evangelism, discipleship and missions.

Online Training

• Vision is to enable pastors in urban areas to access free / low cost online bible and ministry training via the Internet.

• Can remain in their ministry context.

• AIBI mainly reaches “new generation” pastors and Christian business men who are the “movers and shakers” in their communities.

• The numerous icafes in Asia provide a ready venue for delivery of materials.

• Ebooks can be hundreds of pages long and download in just 5 minutes on a dial-up connection.

Online Training 2

• Harvestime Church-Planting materials – 21 modules, TEE format, over 100,000 graduates (from Harvestime Institute) in 50 countries. In English, Spanish and Thai, Tagalog under translation.

• 18 short courses on topics such as Globalization, Urban Ministry, Christian Sexuality, Prayer, Post-Denominationalism

• Find online at www.aibi.ph

Internet Cafes

• Icafes of 21 donated recycled computers.

• 3 –5 workers per icafe supported by revenue.

• Icafe placed in a UPG as a small business.

• Friendship evangelism and community work

• Helps bridge the digital divide.

• Ideal for urban communities around the 20,000 to 150,000 mark that need connection to cyberspace.

Internet Cafes 2

• Can double as a student center or distance learning venue.

• Use Linux on server/firewall to reduce attacks, client machines run Windows.

• Requires strong entrepreneurial leadership, plus a good technician and also someone focused on ministry to the UPG.

• Has operated successfully in a few different nations and cultures.

• See www.ac4.org or www.techmission.org

Holistic Ministry Web Portal

• Designed to help local churches deliver practical holistic ministry to their local communities.

• Centralizes “best practice” models so they do not have to reinvent the wheel.

• Knowledge, Best Practice, Practical How To, Connections

• Will work in combination with WEA Global Connect, WIN International, AIBI and Pangea Foundation among others.

• Still in design stage, hope to have a prototype in operation by December

Cybermissions

• The intentional use of computers and the Internet to facilitate the Great Commission.

• Internet Evangelism – working with TWR – NEA to reach China’s 80 million Internet users with the gospel.

• Designing Internet based follow-up for other radio ministries.

• Creating specialized online discussion groups for people reaching UPGs.

• Online counselling and discipleship

Cybermissions 2

• Run a 12-week online course in Cybermissions.

• Cybermissions can reach “closed” countries for Jesus.

• Web based, email, chat rooms, forums, discussion boards, egroups etc.

• Online-offline synergies can increase effectiveness.

• Tends to reach community leaders who can then reach others.

• Need both techie types and ministry types.

• See www.cybermissions.org