Loma Linda Church Uses Web to Reach Worldwide Audience

If Christ was still preaching today, the world would likely listen to his sermons on UStream or Youtube.

Centuries later, Jesus’ message is still touching lives. And thanks to a technology his disciples could not have dreamt of, that message streams from the pulpit at Loma Linda University Seventh-day Adventist Church to more than 1,000 followers across the country and the globe.

It may seem like a modern marvel, but using technology was an idea that Christ himself embraced. Nowadays, it’s just sent through a new medium, said Darold Retzer, executive pastor at Loma Linda University Church.

“(Jesus) spoke to the masses on the hillside,” Retzer said. “He was brought out in a boat so the sound would carry better. I think (now) he would have used whatever means were available.”

Every Saturday, an average of 1,000-plus viewers tune into the church’s weekly webcasts, said Stew Harty, director of media for University Church. He has 90 volunteers in the media ministry program, Harty said.

University Church has sophisticated equipment for their media ministry. The church uses professional broadcast boards, wireless microphones and network-worthy cameras. It is run entirely by volunteers.

“We generally run anywhere from 18 to 24 volunteers every weekend,” Harty said.

University Church’s feed goes over satellite and through some local cable stations, Harty said.

“It’s interesting, when our Internet is down, we get more calls on that than we do over the more traditional (channels),” Harty said.

Harty said they are in the process of expanding their web services. They just finished testing the use of the Roku box, which allows viewers to watch web programming on television. It might be launched within a month, he said.

They will also have a 10 a.m. young adult service they will start streaming online soon, he said.

“Whenever I travel, there are people that say, ‘Oh we watch you, we worship with you,’ ” Retzer said.

It brought people into the church, but more importantly, it brings the church to those who cannot be there themselves, he said.

“I think the biggest benefit is to people in small areas where they don’t have a significant church to attend or people who are homebound in our own town,” he said.