International (MNN) ― Doug Hutchcraft of Ron Hutchcraft Ministries is launching a lifeline blueprint for a generation convinced that religion is the last thing they need. "If they're going to come to Christ, they're going to do it by the time they are 18 years old."
However, it seems that the "Millennial Generation" has fallen through the cracks. "They're an unreached generation; they might be the most-unreached generation in history, but because of the internet, they're the most reachable generation in history."
Millennials came of age in the late 1990s, during an unprecedented time of growth, when technology was rapidly growing. Everything became faster , smarter, more efficient and more accessible. A Millennial is usually tech-savvy, achievement-oriented, team-oriented and attention-craving.
Many of them spend up to 40-percent of their day "hanging out" online. Because this is where their "tribes" hang out, more and more Millennials look for life answers on the internet. In fact, in the last few years, the internet has become, far and away, the #1 source of information for these "digital natives."
Hutchcraft says they're after the 15- or 16-year-old who is looking for answers. "'How then can they call on the One they have not believed in? How can they believe in the One of whom they haven't heard? How can they hear without someone preaching to them?' That is what we're trying to do through thedougandjonshow.com."
After a year of development and planning, the Web site goes live April 28. A Web site as an evangelistic tool? It's more of a relationship-building tool, using the language of the target audience to communicate the irresistible hope of Jesus.
Through thedougandjonshow.com, Hutchcraft's ministry is doing what young people are already doing all the time: building relationships on the internet. Like Jesus, RHM finds them in their community: MySpace, Facebook, iTunes, text messaging.
As RHM finds them, they in turn help them to find RHM. That's why they're seeding the internet with podcasts, cartoons, videos, etc. on the sites where students hang out the most, using their cultural language.
All of these "attention getters" link to the Web site. Once on the Web site, the studenst have the opportunity to easily navigate their way to areas they struggle in and ultimately, to the Gospel.
Keep praying for clear vision. "That is really our goal: to get them from YouTube to the cross. Millennials love Web sites that'll make them laugh, feel noticed, feel accepted, and think. All four of those components are really compelling bridges to the Gospel for anybody."
