News Digest

After a yearlong search, DREAM3, a Web-based publishing tool to effectively enhance a congregation’s ministries through an online, interactive Web presence, has been selected as the preferred Internet platform for A/G churches.

“This dynamic new service will become a turnkey Web solution and communications network for churches and ministries,” says Randy Barton, president and CEO of Assemblies of God Financial Services Group. Barton says DREAM3 will live up to its name — Digital Resources Empowering All Missions, Ministries and Members.

“Our premise for developing DREAM3 was to help local churches turn their Web sites into Web ministries,” Barton says. “The percentage of Americans getting part of their spiritual content from the Web is growing exponentially.”

The user-friendly DREAM3 is designed so that church personnel with basic desktop user skills can build their own Internet online Web ministry.

“It takes no technical, programming or graphic design capabilities,” says Daren Tomey, president of the Indianapolis-based DREAM3. “If someone knows how to operate any type of desktop publishing environment, this can be successful. They just need to input information about their local church or ministry.”

A local church can pick what content it wants to highlight from a variety of church ministry departments. In addition, daily editorial content will be available from Assemblies of God publications such as Today’s Pentecostal Evangel. The site also has a partnership with Salem Communications, which operates Crosswalk.com.

Tomey explains that many church Web sites are little more than online brochures, offering members few reasons to visit the site repeatedly. In contrast, DREAM3 keeps releasing new information daily. Because DREAM3 is the only company authorized to access A/G content, local churches don’t have to deal with privacy or copyright issues when accessing the site.

Other features include an interactive calendar of events that allows churches to use an RSVP function at the click of a button. Users also can order Gospel Publishing House curriculum products through DREAM3.

By mid-September, 150 churches had registered for the service, which carries three monthly price packages geared to various capabilities. For a limited time, A/G Financial Services Group is paying the setup and training fee.