Church Apps – Michael Byrd

Technology can sometimes be a “four letter word” when it comes to how churches feel about it. The truth is, technology is what helps to spread the Gospel around the world faster than at any time since the days of Jesus. Amen!

Think about this, 200 years ago, if you wanted to go and minister in, let’s say Africa. You would spend years preparing. Then travel for a couple of months or more, sailing on a ship, until you were finally there. You would not just do a weekend revival, get back on the ship and go home. No! You would spend many months, sometimes years, ministering there before you left.  

Then, with the invention of steamships, you could cut that travel time to a week or so! Praise God!  Now, you could go over there, spend a few months and come back home. Often within the same year. 

With the invention of airplanes and commercial jet travel, you could go anywhere in the world in just a day or two! Praise God!  Minister for a few days and fly back home. Maybe even in the same 7 day week!

That’s what technology has accomplished! Amen! Using technology almost ALWAYS helps you to spread the Gospel faster, more often and a lot easier than at any time in human history!

Computers now allow us to do this easier than ever before! IF you know what to do and how to use the technology.

Unfortunately, many churches are not as proficient at this as they should be. Sometimes, it is the technology itself. For others, it’s the cost factor. For others it’s “new” and they are afraid of using it.

Well, having been in online ministry since 2009, I’m telling you right now, the Lord allowed computer technology to be used in this day and time to help further the accomplishment of the “Great Commission” faster than ever before. 

It is not possible to minister around the world, anywhere there is an internet or wifi or cell phone signal – simultaneously, while you are sitting behind your computer or preaching from the platform in your church. Amen!

“Well, what about the cost, brother Bob?”

Compared to the cost of what it used to be, traveling, the hassles, etc. – it is very, VERY cost efficient.

Anyway, to help explain all of this to us – including combatting the “cost argument” – our guest today is here to help YOU understand how YOU can become a part of “taking the Gospel to the world” through the use of technology. Amen!

Michael Byrd has over 20 years of ministry experience spanning both, youth and children’s ministry in Mississippi, Tennessee, Texas and Oklahoma. He is passionate about children’s ministry and about the use of technology to “Get the Word Out” into all the earth. He is part of  “ChurchApps” which is part of Live Church Solutions, a 501-c-3 organization that helps churches to utilize technology to be more effective in ministry outreach.  Their website is https://churchapps.org and it has a lot of great information on there, which we will go over today.

Church Apps, has a number of free and open source solutions to help you with some of the challenges churches face with technology, such as getting a website online, live streaming your services, tracking key information (such as attendance, membership and giving). Understanding that church budgets are often tight and every dollar is stretched to the max, they do not want to add to the stress and become a barrier to the church using technology to share the Gospel with the world.

To explain how all of this is accomplished, help me welcome to the program, Michael Byrd.

Michael, thank you for taking the time to join us today! I do appreciate your time.

First question I always start with is this. Other than that brief information I just shared, can you tell us in your own words, “Who is Michael Byrd?”

The mission of “Live Church Solutions” is to “foster the growth of local churches by offering modern technological solutions, logistical support, educational guidance, mentoring and spiritual content to churches. Your aim is to ignite a deep love of Jesus, motivating churches to expand their reach and expand their impact.”

You do this is several areas. Can you share those areas with us and how you accomplish this?

1. Lessons

2. https://chums.org/

3. B1Church

I know, from dealing with churches, trying to convince them to use online resources to improve their outreach, many are hesitant to do so. I have found that it is mainly because they are intimidated by the technology. How are you helping them to overcome their fear of using the technology which God has allowed to be developed for this day and time in which we live?

I know many churches started to move online during the COVID pandemic shutdown. Several went to Facebook or even YouTube because it was free.  Are there limitations or costs they should know about using those platforms which they may not be aware of?

With Live Streaming, you use the operations system of OBS. Is it difficult for churches to set up?

Can they use other platforms with your Live Church platform?

Share with us, again, the cost if a church or ministry would like to use the resources you provide?

Michael, this is so interesting – and so needful – in such a time as we live in today. If someone has a question, or they would like to receive more information or maybe they want to do an interview with like we are doing now, how can they get in touch with you? How can someone obtain more information?

I’ll put links to all of this in the show notes below.

Folks, this service that “ChurchApps” provides is, as far as I can tell, a “one of a kind” in supporting ministries and churches like this. This is amazing! And to use technology in these last days is absolutely essential to reach as many people as possible all over this world. 

You may be reaching someone through the internet that will change their eternal destiny – and not even know it UNTIL you get to Heaven. Amen! That is how powerful this is. 

I want to urge you, Pastor, ministry leader, drop down into the show notes and reach out to Michael Byrd right now! Don’t wait another minute! This is so vital – you can’t put it off. Amen!

Drop down in the show notes, click the links right there and get in touch with Michael Byrd and get your church or ministry signed up for this amazing service – right now! Amen!  Lives are being lost every single minute all over this planet. Who knows if your messages would be the one thing that can make a different in their eternal destiny. 

Get in touch with Micheal right now, today.

Michael, thank you for taking the time to visit with us today and thank you for being part of a great program that helps to take the Gospel to the lost in this world. I do appreciate all you are doing, brother!

Folks, that is all the time we have for today. For Michael Byrd and myself, this is Pastor Bob reminding you to BE BLESSED IN ALL THAT YOU DO!

CONTACT INFORMATION:

Email:   micheal@livecs.org

mike@churchapps.ogg

Website:   https://churchapps.org

Website:  https://livecs.org

Mentioned in this episode:

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