From Lost to Found: The Power of Digital Evangelism in Restoring Faith

Fernan Globen Talonding was born in Digos. He then moved to General Santos City in 2005. His friends fondly call him "Bem". He is married to Honevie Talonding, and they have three children: Johanne, Lark, and Aria. Bem grew up in the church and came from a Seventh-day Adventist family. Growing up, Bem felt the church's lack of empathy towards the community and pride in its principles.

"I saw that the more years I spent in church, I noticed individuals becoming overly proud of its doctrines and I witnessed the church's lack of empathy towards others. We speak a lot about our ideologies, but we neglect to spread the message of hope and love to others," according to Bem.
 
"There was a period in my life when our family needed support, and the only place I felt I could turn was the church, but regrettably, the church abandoned me at my most difficult time," Bem added.
 
Bem stormed out of the church, enraged and disappointed. But he continued to bring his children to a local Adventist church where his wife was a member. He never entered the building for more than a year, instead he sat quietly beneath a tree only a few steps away from the main entrance, watching people. Rather than spending time inside the church, he thought about how he might help the church with his passion for digital technology.
 
Despite his anguish, Bem persisted in his search for answers. He vowed in his heart to seek the truth that would liberate him from the chains of disappointment, freeing his heart from immense loads that hindered him from truly dedicating his life to Christ.

"I have dedicated my whole life and talents to the ministry by sponsoring and attending as many ministries and church events as possible. I used to have a lot of faith in individuals who seem to be so close to God because of their positions in church, and if I became involved in ministry, it seemed like I was piling up points for my salvation," Bem explained.
 
In 2019, Bem was invited to join the Digital Evangelism Initiative that was organized in Pasay City, Philippines. With his skill set and expertise, he became interested in participating and applied to participate in the project. He had applied late. Despite applying late in the employment process, Bem made the DEI's initial batch of missionaries and subsequently advanced to the post of Team Leader, which he still holds today.
 
"I have no intention of joining the team, but there was an encouragement in my heart to give it a try," Bem said. "I am thankful that I followed that call, and I believe that I made the right decision to be God's digital missionary."

"My reason for joining DEI was the remuneration that I would get to assist maintain my family needs; I never expected to discover my second family via this ministry," Bem explained.
 
Bem has met DEI colleagues twice since the project started, yet the trust and relationship they established in this ministry have grown exponentially in different aspects of their lives. The team always seeks time to find ways to aid them and the church through digital marketing and SEO work. Bem is focused on church service and technology’s influence on the church.
 
Bem holds a grudge in his heart for the church while he was in DEI. However, after years of working closely with people passionate about bringing salvation to the world and experiencing the joy of producing content for people seeking hope and healing in Jesus, Bem's hardened heart gradually melted, and he decided to receive Christ once more in baptism.
 
"I am glad that the Holy Spirit encouraged me and led me to make this important decision. I am still a work in progress, and I know the Lord is not yet done with me, but I am willing to surrender my life to God and my family as He uses us to further His mission through digital evangelism," Bem explained.

Bem chose to give his life to Christ through baptism on January 28. After years of suffering, he finally removes his heart's burden and places it in God's hands, accepting the serenity that can only be found in Jesus.
 
The Digital Evangelism Initiative was critical not just in providing hope to individuals in the digital space but also to the hearts of those involved in developing and creating various online content.
 
Bem's journey from a lack of empathy to a digital missionary in the SEO sector exemplifies the transformational power of service to others. His enthusiasm for utilizing technology to help the church motivates those who want to use their God-given talents using the digital platform.

Edward Rodriguez, SSD Communication Department