‘Shine Bright 365’ program to support and encourage spiritual fitness year-round

May 23, 2022

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. — May 15, 2022 marked the conclusion of the second annual “Go Dark, Shine Bright” campaign, a ten-day coordinated global social media blackout. Sponsored by the D. L. Moody Center (moodycenter.org), one of the nation’s top spiritual renewal destinations, the initiative encouraged participants to trade time on their smartphones for time in scripture and prayer.

Dr. James Spencer, president of D. L. Moody Center, stated, “The ‘Go Dark, Shine Bright’ project is a Christian ministry devoted to helping believers give God a central place in their lives, grow their faith, and share the Gospel through a conscious approach to social media. Each participant was challenged to share the Gospel with five people, resulting in hundreds of thousands hearing the Good News of Jesus Christ.”

‘Go Dark, Shine Bright’ is inspired by the famed evangelist D. L. Moody himself, who stated, “In the place God has put us, He expects us to shine, to be living witnesses, to be a bright and shining light. While we are here our work is to shine for Him.”

Now the D. L. Moody Center is prepping an innovative new approach to supporting Christians in their spiritual walk throughout the year.

Spencer announced, “In June 2022, the D.L. Moody Center is launching ‘Shine Bright 365’, a year-long initiative that will challenge God’s people to be and make disciples for Jesus Christ. This challenge revolves around three core principles: resisting the temptation to conform to something other than Christ, hearing the voice of God in prayer and Bible study, and doing the work of the Gospel. ‘Shine Bright 365’ harnesses the momentum of the ‘Go Dark, Shine Bright’ campaign to encourage participants to shine brightly as living witnesses throughout the year.”

Using a “faith as fitness” approach, ‘Shine Bright 365’ is set up like a workout app that tracks fitness through daily goals, encouragement, and exercises designed to foster spiritual growth.

Exercises include: 

• Study of the Word with daily Bible readings
• Reflections on personal sin and confession
• Taking time for moments of praise, silence, and solitude 
• Praying the scriptures
• Cultivating friendships
• Serving others
• Bearing witness

These groundbreaking initiatives were inspired by insights into the potentially negative effects of social media on users’ mental health. But while the campaigns are designed to give participants a break from social apps, the goal is not to abandon social media entirely, but to instead encourage thoughtful, intentional engagement online.

Spencer shared, “The ‘Go Dark, Shine Bright’ and ‘Shine Bright 365’ campaigns were created out of the conviction that the church needs to step away from the world of social media to pray and study. It is not intended to suggest that God’s people should abandon social media altogether. Rather, the campaigns are designed to remind us that, as Christians, we are to be strange in the right ways wherever we are.”

The D. L. Moody Center is also thrilled to announce the launch of their new 10-day Bible plan, Living As If God Exists (Because He Does), on the YouVersion app.Inspired by the ‘Go Dark, Shine Bright’ campaign, this plan encourages readers to turn their focus from their own stories to step into God’s big story.

The D.L. Moody Center is an independent non-profit organization located in Northfield, Massachusetts. Dedicated to preserving and advancing the legacy of Dwight Moody, the D. L. Moody Center is a catalyst for spiritual formation in New England and beyond through evangelism and discipleship.  

As a destination for spiritual renewal, the D. L. Moody Center is not a school. Nevertheless, there is much to learn by studying D. L. Moody and what God accomplished through his life which began in New England, at the Northfield, Massachusetts campus, the heart of Moody’s ministry as well as his childhood home.  

The D. L. Moody Center is honored to sponsor the annual “Go Dark, Shine Bright” ministry campaign in partnership with The Shine Bright Project. The innovative initiative is designed to help Christians let go of the daily distractions of social media and focus on daily devotions in the Word of God. 

Learn more about D. L. Moody Center by visiting moodycenter.org or follow the ministry on Facebook or Twitter.

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