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The War Cry | OCTOBER 2014
Army is and how it impacts lives worldwide, to social
connections, evangelistic films and a global prayer wall.
But that was just the beginning
Currently, SAVN is developing and training "social
media soldiers" to impact the online platform for bring-
ing the world to Christ. Led by Captain Robyn Bridgeo,
this effort aims to train hundreds of online chaplains
and evangelists to connect with thousands of people
worldwide.
Captain Bridgeo seeks to educate social media sol-
diers in three key areas:
Why We Share Our Message on Social Media
What Messages To Share
How To Share Those Messages Effectively
Besides writing and posting videos, Scripture and
other encouraging posts, he is recruiting, training and
deploying social media soldiers to extend that work glob-
ally. He has created five levels of engagement in social
media ministry and a training manual as well. To find out
more about what SAVN is doing with social media--or to
become a social media soldier yourself--check out our
Facebook page. SAVN has also unveiled a six part webi-
sode called, "The SMS Files," a high-tech spy adventure
spoof series designed to introduce the entire SMS initiative.
Commissioner Knaggs explains: "With our mandate to
win the world for Jesus, we must have not only a presence
in social media, but a ministry. Never before in our history
has God opened the door so wide as to reach millions with
immediacy. We must learn how best to navigate social
media to maximize its impact on this generation."
When it comes to goals, Commissioner Knaggs,
Guy Noland and the SAVN team dream big
In what could possibly be the first endeavor of its kind,
they are currently launching live video chat modules
specifically for online Bible studies, small group meet-
ings and drug and alcohol recovery groups.
Guy Noland sums up the effort this way: "As someone
who has personally seen and benefitted from the power-
ful recovery programs of The Salvation Army, I want
to make that life�changing outreach available to millions
of people worldwide. It may take years to see it fully
realized, but its impact will be unmistakable."
Another exciting SAVN project is a new media arts
conservatory, which will train a new generation to
embrace the challenges of a media-driven, digital world.
This team is currently raising scholarship funds to train
underprivileged youth in media and the performing arts.
With the new "SAVN.TV Studio 12000" in full produc-
tion mode, SAVN.TV shifts into high gear. Scott Hassel,
along with a team of producers, writers, videographers,
editors, animators and digital artists, is managing the
daily operations and leading The Salvation Army into a
new era of digital evangelism and discipleship.
As Guy Noland reminds us, Jesus commanded His
followers to go out to the highways and hedges and
invite people in to celebrate the feast. General William
Booth directed his soldiers to win souls, "by any means
necessary." As a result, Noland says, "We need to start
reaching the next generation now, if we hope to have
their support in the future. If we don't, our great Army
will be in grave trouble in 20-30 years. SAVN was
created to meet the millennial generation where they
congregate: on the street corners of cyberspace. The
social media chaplaincy is the cornerstone of SAVN's
mission to reach their generation and to do our part
helping secure the future of The Salvation Army."
Facebook now has more than one billion users world-
wide, making it by population, the third largest country in
the world. The questions are: Who's planting churches in
that country? Who's sending missionaries to that country?
With the new digital studio in Los Angeles, SAVN.TV
stands ready to answer the call.
Phil Cooke is a filmmaker, media consultant, and author of
Unique: Telling Your Story in the Age of Brands and Social
Media.
Find out more at philcooke.com.
"
With our mandate to win the world for Jesus,
we must have not only a presence in social
media, but a ministry. Never before in our
history has God opened the door so wide as
to reach millions with immediacy. We must
learn how best to navigate social media to
maximize its impact on this generation.
"
-- Commisioner James Knaggs