We will tell the next generation about the glorious deeds of the Lord -- Psalm 78:4
On June 4, 2004 Disciples Today was launched by faith committed to our mission to inform, inspire, unify and grow the International Churches of Christ. God moved the heart of an atheist to provide free hosting and software because of the faith of a disciple who worked for him! Others committed their talents to provide editorial, design and technical help.
With a staff of only two, one key to all of these services has been the heart and talent of our volunteers who literally span the globe. Many have been with us from the first day while others have joined in recent years. When we saw an opportunity and a need, we prayed claiming God's promises and most of the time a new volunteer contacted us offering to serve. Click here to Meet Our Global Team. Other great servants contribute in many more aspects of this crucial ministry as our Partners and on our Boards.
GOOD NEWS
God has provided the means and the talent to build many websites and social media opportunities for our members, from our own leadership, dating, counselor, DTV online channel, ICOC Conferences, etc. to our ICOC Church Directory and Campus Directory. Over 1,000 articles per year send crucial news to our Youth & Family, Singles, Campus, Kingdom Kids, Women, Men, Missions, Bible Study, Specialty Ministries, Regional News and DT Travel.
In 2013, God provided a way for us to hire our first additional full-time employee, Dr. Jonathan Hoggard. Jonathan was one of our most loyal volunteers who helped us build the first DT Heart and Soul and DTV, our first internet broadcast channel that has shared our 130 videos over 2 million times around the world. God prepared Jonathan with his service leading churches in Okinawa, Phnom Penh and Dubai while attaining a PhD in Digital Media and working in educational technology. His last position was as Assistant Provost of Global Programs for the New York Institute of Technology. Working together full-time is an answer to many prayers over the last decade.
PARTNERSHIPS
ICOC Delegates and Service Teams -- We continually praise God for the culture of collaboration and cooperation that characterizes our movement. Focused on being daily disciples of Jesus and serving the world around us, our churches are continually looking for the best way to help others find the faith, hope and love shown to us. Our leadership structure is based on these principles and remains flexible to understanding the will of God as we grow and mature.
God put it on the heart of our church leaders and a few individuals to support the work of Disciples Today financially. We began as a subscription service because there was no other source. In 2009 the ICOC Delegates requested all first world churches in our fellowship to support DT at $6 per member per year. The large developing world churches asked if they could help as well at $2 per member per year. They also added a support component to the ICOC Delegates-sponsored conferences. In appreciation we provide the websites and event management tools, database management, etc. Today about 75% of possible members in these categories support our ministry through their church donations and prayer. We are humbled and deeply grateful for their support, prayers and confidence in us.
HOPE worldwide -- One of greatest joys is to help in every aspect of Jesus ministry of preaching, teaching and healing. We are grateful to God and the generosity of primarily the disciples as we helped HOPE worldwide raise nearly $3 million over the past few years for disaster relief in Haiti, the Philippines, Ivory Coast, Oklahoma, New Jersey and others. Now we are humbled and thrilled to serve as contract partners with HOPEww to provide communications consultation to grow their impact and connection with our churches and others. Prayerfully, their new website is due to be released this summer.
ICOC Hot News -- God raised up this great tool to connect and inspire our churches through video. Over 500 churches now subscribe. We collaborate on stories and needs. Ask your leaders to see these great videos in your church and share with others on YouTube and social media.
Illumination Publishers (IPI) -- These great disciples created and manage our DT Media Store providing books, audio, DVD, music and more by disciples, families and friends. As DPI closed down they entrusted many of their books, the Songs of the Kingdom Songbook and the Kingdom Kids Curriculum to us to continue their service.
FUTURE
God certainly grew Disciples Today into the broad reaching media company that it is today serving disciples and churches daily around the world. But as disciples we are constantly aware that Jesus came to be the light of the world. He constantly challenged his followers to not be self-absorbed but to take up his cross and lay down their lives for him daily that as many as possible be saved and healed.
In that Spirit, we are turning our focus outward for the next decade. While maintaining our relationships and services to the church, we are compelled to use these incredible tools God has provided to reach those who don't yet know God and those who left Him. Last year over 17 million searched for God online. Almost every church now has rejoiced in someone being baptized into Christ who found the church on the internet. We are just beginning to understand how to use this incredible medium to spread the love of God, moved by His Spirit proclaiming Jesus as Lord and Savior to those we might never meet in person. The point is not to just broadcast seed, but to plant and water and draw people searching for God to Him and to His people. What we learn we will pass on to our churches and provide increasing tools for them to reach out as well.
May God continue to lead, humble and teach us. May we continue in faith, not relying on our own strength and meager resources. It has been a fascinating faith walk. We cannot wait to see what He has in store for the next decade. If He doesn't come back first.
Click here to view some of the Disciples Today Global Team >
Click here to view the Disciples Today Board and Advisory Board >
Click here for further articles on Disciples Today's 10th Anniversary:
ICOC Leaders Celebrate Disciples Today's 10th Anniversary >
Send Your Comments to Celebrate Disciple Today's 10th Anniversary >
DToday 2013 Year in Review Infographic (click to enlarge):