D. L. Moody Center Invites Over 100,000 Christians to Take a Social Media Fast and Focus on Dedicating Their Lives to Christ
January 3, 2022
With people around the world making New Year’s resolutions to better themselves and their lifestyles, the D. L. Moody Center (moodycenter.org) challenges Christians to consider a different type of resolution.
Because the excessive use of social media has both negative spiritual and mental health implications, 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 will begin in May 2022 with a guided social media fast and concert of prayer online and at various locations across New England including the D. L. Moody Center. Throughout the week, believers will gather together to pray in physical locations and via Zoom. During the second ten days, participants will proclaim Christ with five non-believers, as well as share social media posts that present the gospel and challenge unbelievers to dedicate their lives to Christ.
In addition to the coordinated social media fast and concert of prayer that will occur in May 2022, individuals can sign up for “Go Dark, Shine Bright” today and receive a Social Media Fasting Guide for an individual social media fast and time of prayer, along with resources to help them share the gospel on social media.
James Spencer, vice president and COO of D. L. Moody Center, commented, “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. When we make space for the light of God to shine through, we are amazed at what He illuminates in our lives. But the more distracted we are, the harder it is to look with eyes that see and listen with ears that hear.”
Participants will receive the Social Media Fasting Guide to outline the steps needed to start the program. The steps include the following:
- Let people know you are going “dark:” As a way to spark conversation with family and friends about the importance of stepping away from social media, the D. L. Moody Center encourages participants to inform those around them of the reasons why they will be “going dark.”
- Delete your social media apps: In order to avoid temptation, the D. L. Moody Center suggests that those participating in the fast delete the apps to stop the onslaught of notifications that might tempt people to break their fast.
- Make a plan: The D. L. Moody Center will be providing content to help participants throughout the fast, such as email blasts, written guides, and other items, but still encourages participants to plan ahead accordingly. When will they pray or read Scripture? How are they going to delve deeper into God’s word?
- Focus on the urgent: It can be easy to allow issues to arise that overshadow the need to spend time with God; however, the D. L. Moody Center argues that nothing is as important as spending time in the Word and in prayer.
- Begin your fast with prayer and Scripture: This step reminds participants that the purpose of “Go Dark, Shine Bright” is to get back into the habit of reading the Word and praying.
Spencer stated, “When we get lost in the endless scrolling and non-stop notifications of social media, our attention is turned away from where it most needs to be: on glorifying God. Modern life is complicated but the message of the gospel is simple.”
This ministry campaign strongly aligns with the message of 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.”
A destination for spiritual renewal, D. L. Moody Center seeks to work in concert with local churches and to participate with God as He ushers in the next Great Awakening. The D. L. Moody Center has chosen to serve as a catalyst because of the conviction that discipleship happens best within the context of the local church. The D. L. Moody Center’s desire is to be known as a ministry that is for the local congregations in New England and beyond, striving to be an organization that does not diminish local congregations, but holds up and enhances the work of the local church through encouragement, preparation, and proclamation.
The D. L. Moody Center is not a school yet believes there is much to be learned by looking at all God accomplished through the life and ministry of D. L. Moody. In telling Moody’s story, the D. L. Moody Center seeks to make much of God and to challenge believers today to trust the God who used a humble man from Northfield, MA, to do the work of the Kingdom.
Learn more about D. L. Moody Center by visiting moodycenter.org or follow the ministry on Facebook or Twitter.
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