Former Dot-commie uses skill to minister on Internet

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. — Several years ago Greg Outlaw lay in bed deathly ill. His routine consisted of administering nutritional fluids and pain-killing drugs intravenously as doctors predicted that his alcohol-damaged body would probably give in within four years.

Outlaw broke up his deathbed rigors by reading the Bible daily. His simple and consistent steps of faith led to what he terms “the end of 19-year prodigal experience” and the beginning of an Internet ministry, AllAboutGod.com, that has reached thousands worldwide.

The Internet ministry founder had been living what many would consider the American Dream. Living in California’s Orange County, Outlaw owned a secular dot-com business that was profitable before the dot-com downturns.

“I was a millionaire on paper,” he said.

Financial and professional successes aside, Outlaw couldn’t escape the fact that his journey as a still-young man took him far from his Christian roots when he had accepted Jesus Christ as his Savior at age 12.

When his illness became terminal and his dot-com concern suffered financially, he began to seek God more diligently.

“I prayed to be able to focus on Him again and for His purpose and plan for whatever time I had left on earth,” Outlaw said.

An answer to Outlaw’s prayer came when he realized he had never taken a visible stand for God. He was tested in making that stand from his deathbed when his business associates told him a venture capitalist was willing to back his struggling business.

In a moment that Outlaw describes as “heart-piercing,” he decided accepting that deal was not in God’s plan due to the questionable character and morals of the venture capitalist—a situation that he would have purposely ignored in the past. He was promptly voted out of his own company. The next day, after taking his stand, he woke up with no pain for the first time in years.

A new phase
With Outlaw’s poor health behind him, he became active in church again. His journey took him to Saddleback Church, pastored by Dr. Rick Warren, author of several books, including “The Purpose Driven Life.”

At Saddleback Church, Outlaw and his wife, Candy, became particularly close to five other families who shared the vision of an Internet ministry that would reach not only the believer, but also skeptics and seekers.

Sensing God’s lead, Outlaw and a team of volunteers moved to Colorado Springs in the summer of 2003 with the non-profit Internet ministry that was started during 2002 in Mission Viejo, Calif.

AllAboutGod.com is a technological marvel with more than 330 Web sites linked to AllAboutGod.com, such as AllAboutHistory.com and AllAboutCults.com. Virtually no subject is taboo on the Colorado Springs-based Web site network. If Internet searchers want to know about the Shroud of Turin, rocker Marilyn Manson, partial birth abortions or the Mark of the Beast, it will be found on AllAboutGod.com or a related Web site.

Each article is intelligently written, researched, and often backed with compelling historical or archeological evidence. The articles encourage the Internet searchers toward the Jesus revealed in Scripture and points to true Christianity, not as a religion, but as a relationship.

Individual attention
Despite the sheer enormity of the information posted on AllAboutGod.com, the ministry has succeeded in not just disseminating information, but in following up with people individually if they so request.

“We help people get planted in local churches so they can grow,” Outlaw said.

The personal touch and emphasis on prayer and discipleship is evident on most every aspect of the ministry’s Web sites and daily e-mail devotionals. Daily devotionals, primarily written by volunteer Carolyn Baker, highlight prayer requests worldwide and Baker’s own victories and valleys in the Christian walk.

The ministry is non-denominational and is not affiliated with any organization or church. However, the group has received endorsements from Warren and leaders from the International Bible Society, Campus Crusade for Christ and many other ministries.

AllAboutGod.com has a staff of two paid employees, Outlaw, and director of content, Melissa Houdmann. The ministry team is fueled by about 80 volunteers, including Outlaw’s wife, Candy, who write and research articles, do Web site administration and answer people’s questions personally.

International stories
Testimonies on the main Web site come worldwide, from the war zone in Iraq, to Australia, China and most anywhere a person has computer access. One touching testimony comes in halting English from a Chinese woman who attributes a personal e-mail response from a ministry volunteer as the impetus for thwarting her suicide attempt and giving her hope in Jesus.

According to Outlaw’s statistics, the period from January to September 2004 showed AllAboutGod.com or a related site shared the gospel of Jesus Christ 102,989 times. Those committing their lives to Jesus during that time number 2,562, with 1,167 more dedicating their lives to Jesus after considering the evidence presented on the Web sites.

“We consider the Internet one of the most important mission fields of the 21st century,” he said.

AllAboutGod.com currently reaches those who understand the English language, but Outlaw is hoping soon to have Web sites in the Mandarin language and the other 10 main languages most used on the Internet.

Ongoing upgrades
Outlaw’s goal to increase the reach of AllAboutGod.com is multi-pronged. He eventually plans to have at least 1,200 topic searches that lead back to his related Web sites. He also plans to reach more into the Internet marketplace and the Internet sex industry, not by salacious or commercial means, but by simply targeting the key search words most people use to bring them to his Web sites.

“Our goal is to build a wall of truth across all major search terms,” Outlaw said.

Outlaw estimates there are about 1 billion logons to the Internet each day, with about 850 million of them starting with a Web search.

“We actually have the potential to reach about 850 million people daily through Internet searches,” he said.

Outlaw plans on keeping up with the latest technology by eventually tapping into streaming audio and video and cell phone technology to spread the gospel.

“This is out-of-the box evangelism,” he said.

More information may be obtained by logging onto AllAboutGod.com. Clicking on “contact us” will bring searchers to contact information for volunteer opportunities with the ministry.

Published, January 2005

Christian Examiner™, P.O. Box 2606 El Cajon, CA 92021 • 619-668-5100 • Fax 619-668-1115
Email: info@christianexaminer.com • Web site: www.christianexaminer.com