Dec 10 : How do you start a Bonfire?

I am driven towards solving real problems in our ministry. I believe that technology helps us do that and when we incorporate it with the message of the gospel,
we see changed lives. This is why the relevant media slogan is “Changing Lives by Developing Technology to Maximize Ministry.

On my team (operations), we talk about effectively equipping the ministry. This can be accomplished by streamlining processes so staff can spend more time on campus or
develop a tool to impact ministry directly. I am working on two projects this fall that will do just that.

Last spring I started working with a few other developers on a web application that will serve as a communication tool and social network for our ministry.
We call it Bonfire – because we wanted to create a place that staff and students can come on the web. We also want to see a Bonfire happen in our ministry.
We are about to roll out the beta on campus and have our staff and students utilize it for ministry. We hope it becomes an essential tool for our staff and helps maximize effective
ministry across the US.

Bonfire – dashboard

Here is a recent email that I received from a staff member on one of our local teams.

“I wanted to run an idea by you and see if something like this exists. I am part of several online communities. An online community is basically a website that can be a
limited or as open in its membership as it wants to be. It’s a place where people go to share ideas and talk about something of common interest.

Is there an online community where Crusade staff could go and hear the latest on what different campuses did “last night” to share the gospel (successes, failures, etc),
how different staff are finding success with Support, to talk about parenting as a staff mom, share “talk” notes, etc. etc. etc., this would be so helpful? – Tony Burell

I told Tony, “Yes there is and it is coming.” Tony is not the only staff member on the field who has been asking about this and it feels great that we can say Yes…
It is called Bonfire – connecting ministry together.

I hope that the Lord continues to allow me to use my gifts to develop the right tools for our ministry and help our staff meet more students on campus, have more conversations
and see the Gospel heard more places because of the tools I help to create.