Gigabytes for the Gospel

A weekend retreat to explore technology and the use of Church web sites to promote our congregations, inform and involve our members and spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ to our communities.

Does your congregation need a web site? Do you want to learn how to improve your existing site? Would you like to learn what makes an effective church web site and how to build it? Then we hope you will join us on May 1 - 3, 2009, at Christmount, for the “Gigabytes for the Gospel” retreat.

All levels of knowledge are welcome: from those who are wondering how to start a church web site to “old pro’s” looking to pick up some new tricks.

The retreat will cover building church web sites from A to Z. We will begin on Friday night with a session on technology, how it is and will continue to impact the church. Saturday we will cover the design and construction of web sites. Saturday afternoon is free time for you to explore in and around Christmount – the mountains should be beautiful in May! Sunday morning we will cover lots of tricks and tips for improving your web site – and of course we will worship together.

Come join us as we talk technology, share ideas, worship, sing and get to know fellow Disciple webmasters.

Buddy Ray: Webmaster for the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Georgia and Peachtree Corners Christian Church. Buddy has a master’s degree in Businesses Information Systems and began in the computer industry in 1976 as a programmer. By the advent of the web, Buddy was Executive Vice President of an internet development company, responsible for the design and development of such web sites as Airtran Airlines. Today Buddy teaches at Georgia State University and is Editor of www.techDrawl.com where he blogs about emerging technologies and companies. Buddy is a lifelong Disciple and recipient of the Layman of the Year award in Georgia for 2003.

Dean Phelps, Minister of Church Multiplication for the Christian Church in Indiana, will lead worship and music. Prior to entering ministry, Dean was an IT manager for Sara Lee Hosiery. He is a minister and programmer as well as an accomplished musician. His third CD, Give Us a Song, was released in 2008. He is the webmaster for two Indiana regional web sites and his music site, deanphelpsmusic.com.

Heath Coffey, Guest Services Coordinator at Christmount, is the Webmaster for Christmount. He is also responsible for all computer technology at Christmount. When not serving as resident Geek, Heath answers phones, makes reservations, and checks in guests. He has a BA in English and Religion/Philosophy. During his free time he is usually in front of his laptop or playing with his potter’s wheel.