In the Market for 21^st Century Missionaries   

Two thousand years ago, the Apostle Paul utilized the “modern” commercial trade routes built and protected by the Roman military to spread the message of Christianity throughout the Empire within a generation. Today, a small group of  Treasure Coast Christians is hoping and praying that they can repeat that miracle using the “modern” internet superhighway, invented by the United States military and reaching into every corner of the globe. 

Friendship Christian Community (FCC ) is a relatively small, but active fellowship with “participants” from Barefoot Bay to Vero Beach.  Established in the summer of 2008, from the start they have been a “church without walls,” gathering for worship each Sunday in Building A on Barefoot Bay Boulevard and meeting in small groups (known as Clusters) in various homes across the area.  The high cost of building and insurance since the ‘04 hurricanes has prevented them from finding a central “home of their own,” but it hasn’t dampened their dedication to one another in ministry or deterred them from exploring every option for reaching out to others in mission. 

Since their inception, they have coordinated a monthly collection and distribution of non-perishable food items, supported individual families over the holidays, contributed toys to the Toys for Tots program, filled dozens of shoe-boxes for Samaritan’s Purse, and – every month – contributed gift items as well as provided a monthly worship service for the clients of Joe’s Club, a local senior services center.  In the midst of a terrible economic downturn, that’s a miracle in itself; but to their way of thinking, what they’re not spending in “overhead,” they can use to focus on real person-to-person ministries. 

Now their vision is expanding over the global network of the “world-wide-web.” 

Even before they held their first service of worship, they set up a web site.  Besides congregational communications through an internet newsletter and interactive web calendar, they are pleased with an average of 300-400 “hits” a month.  At this point, they are working to “interface” a video feed of their worship and Bible studies to the site. 

Their next unusual venture in cyberspace came as an addition to their web page.  As it happens, the core group of “participants” at Friendship Christian has been together under the ministry of Dr. Ron Thomas for over 10 years.  In their “past life” as a denominational ministry, they ran one of the most successful and highly regarded thrift shops in the county.  Once again, without a physical building available, in 2009 they established the FCC Internet Thrift Store on eBay.  Having reached the bronze level as a “Power Seller” last year, they hope the opportunities of this platform will continue to expand with the economy. 

21^st Century Missionaries                                                                                             Page 2 

Their latest cyber-adventure has tremendous potential.  In their view, it may be no coincidence that the initials of their fellowship are FCC, because they are hoping to offer – in a cooperative effort with other churches on the Treasure Coast – 24/7 Christian programming on the Treasure Coast Christian(TCC) Internet Radio Station.  Available not only through in-home PC’s, but also mobile devices such as I-pods, the folks at Friendship Christian believe they can open a vital mission with world-wide impact in the coming decade – sharing their focus on individual caring as the centerpiece of the Christian gospel. 

As they have gotten the ball rolling, so to speak, now they are hoping that others will “catch the spirit” of their endeavors and join in the effort to fulfill this vision of mission via the world-wide-web.  They are calling on all of their sister churches in the area to consider taking responsibility for a one hour time slot.  Programming can range from a re-broadcast of their Sunday services to live call-in Bible studies or just an hour of their congregation’s favorite style of Christian music.  In addition, the TCC station can serve as an affordable outlet for local music groups to share their talents with potential employers. 

Tim Martin, Thrift Store manager and webmaster, is available via email through their website, www.friendshipchristiancommunity.org and Pastor Ron Thomas may be reached anytime at (772)388-5566. 

While financial support is both necessary and appreciated, anyone who combines either computer skills or broadcasting experience with a passion for Christian missions is encouraged to step up and step out in faith with the folks of FCC.   As Margaret Mead once said: Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.