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First Things First
First Things First
Firstly I should perhaps explain the basics. The name "Truth" refers to a SIM (Simulation) on SECOND LIFE. This is a 3D virtual reality where people can buy virtual land and build their own worlds. One of the most expensive ownership options available on Second Life is to have a whole island to yourself.
When the ALM Cyberchurch first made its entrance onto Second Life, it was little more than an idea in the heads of two people, "Benjamin and Mariposa Psaltery" who set themselves up as the "Pastors" of the virtual church they built on an island they named "Truth".
SL is a place where you can be anything you want. Do you want to be a bear, a monster, a vampire, a fairy, a queen, a goth - or failing these fantasy people, have you always longed to be a strong, six-foot muscle-bound champion with buns of steel and the sexual potency of a stallion? Well, go right ahead. Secondlife offers you whatever personality and image you want or need.
Attending Meetings in the ALM Building 2005
In this poor-quality shot taken by me, you can see us in our 2005 avatars attending a meeting in the earlier church building, before Truth Island came into being.
You might be a nerdy bespectacled bookworm whose only triumph is to place a winning bid on Ebay. You may be a loner living with Mum, whose only chance of pulling is to unravel the hole in your sock. But on Secondlife, nobody knows. You can be anyone or anything, if you are prepared to play the part.
You might be a nerdy bespectacled bookworm whose only triumph is to place a winning bid on Ebay. You may be a loner living with Mum, whose only chance of pulling is to unravel the hole in your sock. But on Secondlife, nobody knows. You can be anyone or anything, if you are prepared to play the part.
So, on Secondlife, without any qualifications or training, and without a troublesome real-life identity and background to worry about, you can set up as a PASTOR (or a Priest, a Guru, a Teacher, an Educator, whatever...) and you can be taken at face value by those gullible enough not to ask the right questions.Mission Statement? What Mission Statement??
So, on Secondlife, without any qualifications or training, and without a troublesome real-life identity and background to worry about, you can set up as a PASTOR (or a Priest, a Guru, a Teacher, an Educator, whatever...) and you can be taken at face value by those gullible enough not to ask the right questions.Mission Statement? What Mission Statement??
So it was that two young people arrived on Second Life in early 2005 with a vision to evangelise the users, and to build a "Cyberchurch" in this inhospitable and worldly place. A noble mission perhaps - but one fraught with difficulties, especially if you are just a baby-faced youth with no experience of what might be involved.
One of the dangers of operating in this new environment is that of arrogance - supposing that you alone are the answer to the problem, and that your particular "church" is the only one providing for SL's needs. Attendant on that is the danger of pride, where you see yourself as the pioneer who "made it all happen".
As we shall see, these twin problems infect Truth island almost to its own destruction.
Truth Island, Second Life, Early Days
Buying Truth Island (2006)
Buying Truth Island (2006)
This advertisement and request for donations was sent out in early 2006 when Benjamin and Mariposa (Jennifer) decided to buy an entire "Sim" for their activities.
"As most of you know, we've been ministering for over a year in a 3D virtual community, which has grown from around 20,000 when we first started, to over 1,200,000 (one million) residents today. Many of these people are hiding from the "real world", and can be reached in no other way; so we go to where they are and share with them the love and transforming power of the cross, and a personal relationship with Jesus.
"Many others are Christians but cannot attend a physical church for various reasons. They are able to meet with other believers from all around the world and worship God and study his Word together.....
"Jesus said, "the children of the world are in their generation wiser than the children of light." The secular business world is pouring funds into influencing people to buy. Will the Church do the same to influence people to turn from their lives of sin and their eternal destination of hell, and turn to Jesus instead? Or will we stand by while the corporations and pornographers take center stage?
Lost Opportunity � We Must Act Today!
Lost Opportunity � We Must Act Today!
"The virtual world, "Second Life", has announced their prices will increase by about $100/month and several hundred for the setup of an "island", a large place in the virtual world where the million plus residents can go. They have also announced that starting at 1:00pm Pacific time today (November 1st), there will be up to 150 islands available at the old price." [continues below...]
As I discovered in my searches at that time, Benjamin and Mariposa's efforts, although crude by modern standards, were probably the first cyberchurch on SL.
So it was that I and my husband gravitated towards them and began attending "services" on Sundays.
We did not see their first attempt at a church building, but were part of the initial ALM site that eventually grew to an island housing not only the "Church" building but Offices, Prayer and Study Rooms, a Recreation Centre, Cafe, Beach, Gardens, and rental accommodation for staff and patrons. All this came into being after donations were solicited for the high cost of buying and maintaining land on the Linden Labs servers
Perhaps this was around the same time Benjamin and Mariposa listed themselves as "Reverend" and their online "church" as Tax Exempt. First attempts at a church are seen below:
Benjamin and Mariposa's Advert for their Church (continued)
"Over the period of one year, this would save the ministry $1,200.00, IF we act now.
Why an Island?
Why an Island?
Right now we can allow only 40 people into our services at one time. We've had to turn away an unknown number of people who want to attend our worship services where they would hear about Jesus. If we owned an island, we could let more people in.
People are looking for clean, fun things to do in Second Life. Unfortunately, the pornographic and gambling industries have leaped on the opportunity to influence people, and there are few place people can go which are both clean and fun, and even fewer which are dedicated to pointed people to Jesus, centering around him.
We are ready to purchase an island and create such a place wholly dedicated to Jesus and the advancement of God's Kingdom. The monthly cost, if we purchase an island today, will remain the same as what we've been paying. If we wait, this amount will almost double, and will be out of our range.
How Can I Help?
How Can I Help?
We need $900 to purchase an island. Please prayerfully consider making a generous donation toward this ministry outreach. 100% of your gift will go toward the purchasing and maintaining of the island for the spreading of the Good News. Thank you for your help in reaching the harvest for Jesus!"
God Bless,
Rev. Benjamin and Jennifer Faust
Pioneer Missions in Online Worlds
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