1. Integrating Computers and Technology into Youth Ministry
Andrew Sears
Coordinator, PREP Community Computer Center, Bruce Wall Ministries
Director, Association of Christian Community Computer Centers
“Giving People Skills to Make a Living and a Spiritual Foundation to Make a Life”
Kingdomworks, 2001

2. Outline Why should we integrate technology into youth ministry?
Examples of technology and youth ministry
In After School Programs and with Teens
From PREP and other centers
How to get started
Getting equipment and grants

3. Why Use Technology in Youth Ministry?
Computers and Technology are an excuse to develop a relationship
It’s not about the computers, it’s about the people
There is a great social need
The “digital divide” is the gap that separates those with access and training on computers and the Internet from those without.
Our goal: “Providing skills to make a living and the spiritual foundation to make a life.”

4. Digital Divide Across Income & Race

5. The New Economy Manufacturing Computer Industry*** Jobs Down 55-65%*
* In a range of Northern cities between , When Work Disappears
** Statistics are for inner-city black men in Chicago
*** Other sources include Bureau of Labor Statistics and Department of Commerce
Once provided 52%
of jobs to some groups,
but now only 28%**
65% of all jobs use computers
90% of all jobs use computer-
related technologies
Jobs Grown to 7.4 million &
Increasing 6.5% per year

6. The New Economy Manufacturing Computer Industry***
Average wage in IT-producing
industries was $58,000
346,000 IT jobs remain vacant
nationwide and 1.7 million
need to be filled by 2003
Manufacturing
Computer Industry***
Jobs Down 55-65%*
Once provided 52%
of jobs to some groups,
but now only 28%**
* In a range of Northern cities between , When Work Disappears
** Statistics are for inner-city black men in Chicago
*** Other sources include Bureau of Labor Statistics and Department of Commerce

7. The Church and the Digital Divide
The term “Sunday School” originated from a major literacy drive by the church in the 1800’s; Christians can also lead the computer literacy drive
Books Basic Literacy
Computers Computer Literacy
This is one of the best funded areas for serving the community
Schools and the government can only do so much

8. Christians and Technology
Christian Community Computer Centers
Defined as any ministry using computers as an outreach to serve the community
There are over 1,000 community computer centers in the USA and it is likely that over 100 of these are Christian centers
Range from ministries with less than 5 computers to ministries with over 50 computers
Association of Christian Community Computer Centers helps support these ministries

9. Different Levels of Tech Programs
Provide “Tech Time” in an after school or teen program
Need 5-10 computers and Internet access (modem)
Level 2
Provide limited classes or teen business or job placement
Teens volunteer and/or work as tech staff
Need computers and Internet access (DSL or Cable)
Level 3
Provide full Community computer center which may include walk-in access and advanced classes to local community and adults
Need full-time tech program staff

10. PREP Community Computer Center
Joint Program of
Bruce Wall Ministries
Dorchester Temple Baptist Church
Cambridge Vineyard Christian Fellowship
PREP Activities
15+ Computer Classes to 220 students each semester
Walk-In Computer Center with 30 visits per day
Youth Run Web Design Business
After School Technology Curriculum
Computer Club
Mentoring: provides relational time with students
Saturday Lunch: provides relational time with students

11. Sponsorship and Growth
In first year, received over $300,000 in donations from:
Microsoft
Adobe
Filene Foundation
PowerUP
Gateway Computer
Individuals
Now have a staff of eleven and about 50 volunteers
Have two computer rooms with a total of 50 computers

12. Integrating Tech with Other Programs
PREP Computer
Program
Other Youth Programs
Project 21
After School Program
After School
Tech Curriculum
Camp Ozioma
Tech Time
at Camp
Pre-Teen
Teens
New Horizons
Teen Job Placement Program
Computer
Classes
Adults
Dorchester Temple
Youth Group
Youth Volunteers/
Youth Staff/
PREP Enterprises
Walk-In
Computer Center
Other
Youth
(not in
existing
programs)
Computer Club

13. Spiritual and Skill Development Plan
Program Areas
Goals
Youth
Staff &
Certifications (20)
Provide Experience and
Credentials Needed for Jobs
Provide discipleship
After School (30)
Get Mentored (50)
Volunteer/Assist with Classes
Practice Material
and Advance Learning
Develop deeper relationship
Student Advancement
Eight Week Classes
(250 students)
Build Skills Needed
for Employment
Develop Initial Relationship
Two-Week Classes (250 students)
Walk-in Center (2,500 visits)
Decrease Barriers to
Using Computers
Establish contact

14. After School Technology Time
Integrate computers with other activities in after school program
Black History Month, Scan in Art, Themes
Project based learning works best
Teaching software does not work without a goal
We split K-2nd grade and 3-7th grade
We use Jumpstart software with kids
Help share curriculum on AC4 list at:
We will soon have detailed after-school curriculum information at our web site at

15. After School Tech Curriculum Ideas
Greeting cards: we use Microsoft Publisher
Research on the Internet:
Searched for poets and their poetry
History of Hip Hop on the Internet. Present findings using PowerPoint
Poetry: taught formatting in Microsoft Word by having students write their own poems and then type them into Word.
Students often need to compose poems before coming to computer
Encyclopedia Africana: do a Scavenger Hunt through the time line portion
Calendars: students scan in photos
Newsletter: written, edited, and laid-out by the students
accounts (filtered PowerUP accounts) and their own web pages
Lego Mindstorm: Robotics with programmable legos ($300 per set)
Suggestions and curriculum ideas provided by Mary Pavan and Chris Tsang from PREP

16. Computer Club
Field trips once a month for middle school youth to technology sites (businesses and computer museum)
Provides increased relational time for visitors to our walk-in center
Still in experimental stage

17. Teen Program: PREP Enterprises, Youth Staff and Volunteers
Youth Volunteers Duties
Assist with classes
Youth Staff Duties
Supervise walk-in center and fix computers
Work in PREP Enterprises
Learn on the job and through self study
Discipleship: all youth staff have regular time of discipleship and leadership training

18. PREP Enterprises PREP Enterprises is youth-run, web design business
Employ six high school youth
Develop web sites for businesses and non-profits
For hire for your Web site at:
Other Good tech businesses for youth:
T-Shirts: sell to college groups and non-profits
Graphics Design
Video Production: do weddings and other events
Computer Refurbishing and tech support

19. Walk-In Center (teens)
Anyone can come in off the street and use our computers for free (30 visits per day from youth and adults)
Attractive to teens that would not go to after school programs and provides a safe, educational environment
Internet access and music mixing very popular (software: HipHop eJay) and we have them write their own CD’s
Adults use center for the Internet and to work on resumes, other personal projects and to learn
Provides good learning activity for youth staff
Youth supervise computer room, answer any questions and will help get computers working
There is always an adult in our building (church) although youth staff may be in computer room alone

20. Computer Classes (teens & adults)
Two hour classes meeting once per week and mostly on Saturdays
Great opportunity for volunteers to get involved
Limited relational time, but it gets people “in the door” to start relationships
We’ve found youth want the advanced and media classes while adults want the basic classes more
Mentoring at end of class provides opportunity to deepen relationship
Students returning to assist with a class is key!

21. Ideas for Classes
Make a major effort initially to let the community know
This is needed to have many applicants at start of semester
We handed out 3,000+ flyers & table-tents on street, in schools, stores & restaurants
Got mailing list of our community from Boston’s Voter Registration Records and mailed to 10,000 residents
Meals between classes can provide opportunities for relationship building
Project based classes work well
Teens and adults can work in same classes, but adults taking classes with younger children does not work
See list of classes in Appendix

22. Ideas for Church Involvement
Establish Computer Ministry within churches
Great opportunity for teens and adults to volunteer
Great partnership opportunity for suburban and urban churches
Many people in suburban churches will get involved in outreach ministries in urban communities because of their interest in computers and provides great opportunity for reconciliation and transformation
Classes provide good opportunity for volunteers
Have teaching assistants who train their first semester to teach the class while helping with the class

23. Issues to Consider Computer ministry should be relational ministry
“It’s not about the technology, it’s about the people.”
Center needs to be in an organization that is indigenous to community being served and raise up indigenous leaders
Web filtering software on all computers (see appendix for list of filtering software)
Some software programs do not filter Web based (i.e. Hotmail)
We do not allow chat or non-educational games
Security is a major issue:
BWM has an alarm system and motion detectors and are installing a “panic” button for lab monitors and video entry cameras
Software licensing is an issue

24. Getting Started: Things You Need
God’s support
People: staff support/volunteers
Technical support is a must
Can get work-study students from colleges for tech support
Space: to house computers
Look for space in churches and Multiservice centers
Equipment: computers, network, Internet connection
Software
Advertising/marketing (unless only serving existing programs)
Money: varies depending on your goals

25. Getting Equipment & Software
Make announcements in churches that you are looking for computer donations from individuals and companies
relational method works best
Suburban churches may have many people in companies with computers to donate
Specify minimum requirements and types of computers
Get 20 new Gateway computers by joining PowerUP (see grants section)

26. Getting Equipment & Software through Gifts-in-Kind & Compumentor
Register with Gifts in Kind International (
Cost $125 and must be Non profit 501(c)(3) and use software for service to community
Cost $225 for 5 used computers 486 & above laptops/desktops
Network hubs for $50
Get copies of most major software for $30 (Windows, Office 2000, Adobe products, etc)
Provide great discounts (90% off) on office products, projectors, clothes, etc.
Use Compumentor for software discounts (
Most major software for only $30 and no registration fee

27. Getting Grants PowerUP (www.powerup.org)
Get 20 new gateway computers with software
Get $20-40k in funding over 3 years
Looking to partner with faith-based groups with after-school & teen programs (awarding thousands of grants targeting youth)
Deadlines: March 15, 2001 and August 15, 2001
Requires that you have 2 full-time staff that can help with lab (but do not have to spend all their time on the lab)
Application at:

28. Getting Grants CTCNET AmeriCorps/VISTA Grant
Provides full time staff positions for a year for $2,000
To apply must first pay $100 to join CTCNet (
Have some restrictions on these staff “leading religious services” during paid time, but one of the most open gov’t programs toward faith-based groups, and you select the staff
Should open application process around Feb, 2001
Contact Peter Miller of CTCNet at or or visit
Get list of technology grants
Directory of Computer and High Technology Grants ($53) from Research Grant Guides, Inc. (order on Amazon.com)
HUD Neighborhood Networks Initiative will fund centers in housing projects (which Christian groups could run)

29. Association of Christian Community Computer Centers
Mission:
To support and promote the use of computers and technology in Christian outreach ministries
To assist the 60+ identified existing Christian community computer centers and help others get started
To partner with national organizations to support CCCC’s
Pursuing partnerships with CCDA, Mission Year and CTCNet
Web: or

30. Joining ACCCC Join for free now, but may have a fee in the future
Benefits
Keep informed of events of interest to Community Computer Centers, Grants, Computer Donations
Share program information
Participate in future joint programs
Sign up on sheet or send to

31. For More Information
Visit Association of Christian Community Computer Centers Web site and join list
Get information on grants, hardware donations, share ideas, etc
Join for free now, but may have a fee to join in future
Visit or
Call Andrew Sears at
Join Community Technology Centers Network ( get on list and go to national conference each June
Best information resource available
Visit CTCNet at
Visit HUD’s Neighborhood Networks at

32. Appendix: Office Track Classes
Basics
Intro to Computers
Typing
Intro to the Internet
Mentoring
Intro to Word
Intro to Excel
Intermediate
Word MOUS
Test PREP
Excel MOUS
Advanced
Level
(or start Track
for Multimedia)
Databases
Establish Basic Computer Knowledge; highly employable
in office jobs, administrative assistant and temp work
Goals
1. An arrow indicates a prerequisite of either taking the class or good
subject knowledge.
2. Students are encouraged to take other classes on this track in future semesters.

33. Multimedia Track Classes
Basics
Digital Music Studio
Web Design
Graphics Design
Intermediate
Video Production
Entrepreneurship
Advanced
Level
Youth Run Business
Mentoring
FrontPage 2000
Certification
Databases
Employment or Start New Businesses as as Web Designer, Graphic Designer or in Video Production, Get FrontPage Certification
Goals
1. An arrow indicates a prerequisite of either taking the class or good
subject knowledge.
2. Students are encouraged to take other classes on this track in future semesters.

34. Web Site Filtering Software
CleanWeb (
CyberPatrol (
Cybersitter (
CyberSnoop (
Net Nanny (
Net Shepherd (
Safesurf (
Watchdog (
We Blocker (free at
X-Stop (

35. Setting Up A Network & Internet Connection Sharing
Need the following
Computers with one Ethernet card in each
Ethernet cabling between computers and Ethernet hub (called RJ-45 cable)
Computer to serve as “firewall” to connect to network (with either 2 Ethernet cards or one Ethernet card and one modem)
Proxy or Firewall Software
An easy setup version comes with Windows Millennium Edition as Internet connection sharing
A good inexpensive package is Comsocks (
Ethernet Hub
Get 24 port hub from Gifts in Kind for $50
Get 16 port hub from for about $200
Get from local computer stores

36. Internet Connection Sharing
Cable or DSL Modem
Ethernet Cable
Internet
Either/Or
Ethernet Cable
Ethernet Cables
Regular Modem

37. Internet Connection Sharing (Configuration)
Do not need to do this if using Microsoft Internet Connection Sharing
Under TCP/IP Configuration
Server: on card connecting to clients
IP Address:
Gateway: get from network provider
DNS: get from network provider
Subnet Mask:
Other Card/Modem: get config from network provider
Client Machines
IP Address: Anything from 0 to 255 but must be unique
Gateway:
DNS:
Configure Options in Browser to Use Proxy at
Call proxy/firewall software provider for help