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I’m Tom Nicholas — a pastor, teacher, and community builder living in Billings, Montana. My life and ministry flow from one heartbeat: to see the Church alive — Spirit-filled, rooted in Scripture, and moving with Jesus into the world. I serve as a pastor, chaplain, and mentor, helping people grow in faith, leadership, and everyday discipleship. Whether around a campfire, in a coffee shop, or through digital spaces, I believe the gospel belongs where life happens — in the field, among the people, and around the table. Through The Church Alive, I write about biblical leadership, spiritual formation, and building vibrant, missional communities that reflect the love and courage of Christ.

💡 7. Digital Frontiers: Mission in the Dis/Connected World

“How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can anyone preach unless they are sent?”
— Romans 10:14–15

“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden
 Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”
— Matthew 5:14–16

When Mission Moves Online

The mission field no longer ends at the city limits—it begins at the Wi-Fi signal.
For many, the front door to faith isn’t a sanctuary; it’s a screen.
People now meet, confess, question, and even pray online long before they set foot in a church.

The Church Alive must learn to live here too—not to perform, but to presence.
Digital platforms aren’t distractions from ministry; they are the new roads where the Spirit is already walking.

Just as Paul used Roman roads to carry the gospel across the empire, we now use digital ones.
The medium has changed; the mission has not.

Light in the Digital City

Jesus called His followers the “light of the world.”
In the first century, that meant lamps flickering in homes and villages.
Today, it means profiles, posts, and presence that shine with grace and truth in a world that’s connected yet lonely.

Our screens can either divide or disciple.
They can isolate us in curated feeds—or connect us in Christlike friendship.
When the Spirit fills our digital lives, our timelines become testimonies.

Planting Digital House Churches

Imagine every believer as a micro-missionary with a personal network of souls within reach.
What if every online friendship circle became a digital house church—a place of conversation, prayer, and encouragement that naturally leads to real-world community?

Digital house churches don’t replace embodied gatherings. They prepare hearts for them.
They’re seedbeds of connection for those who are spiritually searching, geographically isolated, or wounded by past church experiences.

How it might look:

  • A small group chat that becomes a prayer group.
  • A short devotional posted weekly that turns into a video Bible study.
  • A livestream that leads to an in-person meal or service project.

Evangelism in the digital age isn’t about viral reach—it’s about relational depth.
It’s not how many followers you gain; it’s how many friendships you shepherd.

Reimagining Digital Presence

For a Church Alive, technology is not an escape from incarnation—it’s an extension of it.
We are sent to embody Christ in every space where people live and think and ache.

That means:

  • Authenticity over algorithms. Don’t chase trends; cultivate trust.
  • Conversation over content. Ask questions, tell stories, and listen deeply.
  • Community over clout. Prioritize relationships, not reactions.

When we treat digital engagement as sacred ground, the Spirit breathes life through pixels and posts.

đŸŒ± Living It Out: Steps Toward a Digital Mission

đŸ’» 1. Claim Your Digital Neighborhood

  • Ask: Who has God already placed in my online orbit?
  • Pray through your friend list. Reach out personally, not generically.

đŸ“± 2. Practice Presence, Not Performance

  • Share moments of genuine reflection or gratitude.
  • Resist the pressure to appear perfect; let your humanity invite connection.

💬 3. Turn Chats into Community

  • Start small: a weekly prayer text thread, a verse shared with a friend, or a short encouragement video.
  • Let the Spirit turn simple connection into spiritual conversation.

🌍 4. Bridge Online to Real Life

  • Whenever possible, move digital relationships into physical spaces: coffee, meals, small gatherings.
  • Let the light that shines online become warmth that’s felt in person.

🙏 Prayer for the Church Alive

“Lord of every space—physical and digital—
teach us to carry Your presence where people already are.
Fill our words, our posts, our interactions with grace and truth.
Turn our devices into instruments of hope,
and our screens into windows of redemption.”

👣 Coming Next:

Fireside Faith: Evangelism That Feels Like Family
From corrals to coffeehouses to living rooms, we’ll explore practical models for conversational evangelism grounded in friendship and authenticity.
Because after all—every story of faith begins with an invitation to sit down and share the fire.

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