D. L. Moody Center Encourages Christians to Take a Social Media Fast and Focus on Dedicating Their Lives to Christ

December 13, 2021

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. — Recent studies have highlighted the extreme negative effects of social media on the majority of Americans, with some showing the clear link to increased anxiety and depression in young adults. One study saw that adults who spend up to four hours playing games and communicating on social media had depressive symptoms just one year later, resulting from this type of exposure. With 70% of Americans reporting that they use social media in some capacity, many officials find this growing trend a cause for alarm.

One organization helping Christians to be faithful in a digital age is the D. L. Moody Center (moodycenter.org). 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 begins 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. In 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.

James Spencer, vice president and COO of D. L. Moody Center, commented, “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. 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.”

Spencer continued, “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.”

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, 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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To interview a D. L. Moody Center representative, contact Media@HamiltonStrategies.com, Beth Harrison, 610.584.1096, ext. 105, or Deborah Hamilton, ext. 102.