After two weeks continued dialogue about the Christian faith through instant messaging, in chat rooms and via e-mail, Jeremy committed his life to Christ. Nathan s approach to evangelism and discipleship, and Jeremy s approach to growing in his new-found faith, may seem unconventional to most churchgoers. In a 1998 study, the Barna Research Group found that one out of every six church-going teens expects to rely increasingly on the Internet to meet spiritual needs in the coming years. Just as Baby Boomers grew up with television, the Net Generation is growing up with the Internet. The Net is in their homes, in their schools and, with the advent of wireless communications devices, even on their belts or in their pockets.
Most young people are at home in cyberspace.
If they have questions, cyberspace is where they turn for answers. The Net is immediately interactive. Unlike television, radio or print media, the Internet allows audiences to interact, and even influence, the creators of content. They can also post their thoughts on topics without going through an intermediary. The Net is a reservoir of unfiltered information.