Story By: Ivan Reese
The Headquarters Churches for the Greater
Buelahland Fellowship now have their own domains.
I spoke with the Vice-President of the GBF Division of the LDW
Webmaster Guild, MaClandon Adkins.
Ivan:
Hey man, no long time no talk.
MaClandon:
Yea, I know. We gotta get together more
often.
Ivan:
I keep hearing great things about the GBF Web Ministry.
MaClandon:
Yea, we are trying to do some great things when
it comes to the internet.
Ivan:
What have you done so far?
MaClandon:
In September, we purchased domains for all of
the locations of the GBF. So now, we have four domains, one for each
location (Booneland, Gilleada,
Maddocha, & West
Maddocha). God is moving.
Ivan:
What other things have you all done?
MaClandon:
In October, we purchased domains for all of the
headquarter churches. Greater
Buelahland Interdenominational House of Rest, New
Hope of Glory Pentecostal Church,
New Life In Christ Pentecostal Church,
and Greater Hope Temple of Christ,
all have a domain.
Ivan:
That is exciting. What was the motivation for the domain names?
MaClandon:
Yes, it is exciting. The motivation was
that we looked at the sites that they had before, which was a folder on the main
GBF domain. I didn't like that. I felt that as a headquarters church
of a major religious group, the churches should have their own domain. I
prayed about it and talked my staff members. Then I went and talked to all
the leaders of the churches, who also happen to be the leaders of their GBF
location. They readily agreed with my thoughts and things happened.
Ivan:
It sounds like it was easy to get the funding, personnel, and equipment that
you needed for this endeavor very easily.
MaClandon:
It is easy, when it is of God. In all honesty, the leadership of the GBF
is great. They understand the need to keep up with technology and things
of that nature. It is a blessing.
Ivan:
Does having your father as the presiding bishop help with requests?
MaClandon:
(He laughs.) People think I get over
because my father is the presiding prelate, but I don't.
When it comes to matters concerning the GBF, I am one of his employees. I
work for him and the GBF and I am subject to all rules and regulations.
When it comes to matters of me being his son, then I am his son.
Ivan:
Are these domains up and running?
MaClandon:
Yes, they are up and running.
Ivan:
What about the old URLs for the churches?
MaClandon:
Those URLs still exist. They redirect to
their new domain names.
Ivan:
Hold on, you gotta help us non-computer folk out... They redirect to
their new domain.
MaClandon:
Yea. When you go to the old site, a page
comes up and says that the site has moved. Then it displays the new URL
and says that the page will be redirected in a few seconds. You can either
click the link or wait, and it will go to the new site.
Ivan:
Sounds like some great things are in store for the GBF, technology wise.
MaClandon:
Yes, there are. We are open to listening
to everyone's ideas. This is a group effort.
Ivan:
Are you saying that anyone who is a member of the GBF can come up to one of
the web ministry personnel and say something or ask a question about the technology
of the GBF?
MaClandon:
Yes, we welcome it in fact.
Ivan:
That's cool. Do you all have anything planned for other GBF
Churches
and Ministries
that would like to get their site out on the net?
MaClandon:
Yes, first of all, the GBF offers its web
design services to every member of the GBF. This includes churches,
ministries, and individuals. This service is not for personal sites, but
if a person has a service that they offer, then we will help them. If they
want a personal site, we can direct them in another direction. The
services are cost services. We have skilled people who do this and it is
how they make their living, so we have to charge. The cost is not as
expensive as people think it will be.
We are looking into offering seminars for the whole
organization on ministering on the internet. That may come next. year.
Ivan:
So, we can expect great things from the GBF Web Ministry in the future.
MaClandon:
Yes, you can!
Ivan:
Thanks for you time man. Again, what are those new domains and
churches again?
MaClandon:
They are...
As you can see, the GBF is
doing things.
If you would like to get information on getting your own site, click
here.
