Ministry
Texting for Free PDF Print Email
Monday, 31 May 2010 00:00
Here's a simple way to send SMS text messages to cell phones without paying a cent. Just remember, the person receiving the text will pay for it unless texting is part of their cell phone plan!

Cell phone providers have email servers that can send emails as text messages. To use this service, you simply have to know your recipient's carrier and their email server's address. You can even mass text by creating an email distribution list or using a spreadsheet with mail merge. If you mail merge, you can even include personal names and other info in your text message for each recipient. 

Here's how it works: Verizon's email server is located at vtext.com. If we know that our recipient is a Verizon customer and their phone number is (123) 555 - 1234, we can enter this email address into the "To" line in any email program:
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Then we can type a short subject and a brief message and send the email. The message will travel from our computer to the vtext.com email server, convert to a text message, and arrive at our recipient's phone in seconds. Just remember that most phones can only receive messages of 140 to 160 characters including the subject, so write carefully! Also, keep in mind that your recipient's might be charged for receiving your text messages if they do not have texting on their cell phone plan.

Warning: Unsolicited texts may be illegal in your state or may be considered illegal by a court of law. Always get permission from your recipients to text them before sending messages, especially mass texts! It is a good idea to get permission when you ask for a recipient's provider (you'll need that information for the email server anyway). For added protection, have recipients fill out a short form that asks for their phone number, carrier, and permission to send texts to their cell phone.

Here's a list of several providers and their email servers from livejournal.com. Some have since merged or closed but I'll leave them in case they are of some value.

    Aliant (NBTel, MTT, NewTel, and Island Tel) (from: 11, msg: 140, total: 140)
    Enter your phone number. Message is sent to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

    Alltel (from: 50, msg: 116, total: 116)
    Enter your phone number. Goes to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

    Ameritech (ACSWireless) (from: 120, msg: 120, total: 120)
    Enter your phone number. Goes to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

    Arch Wireless (from: 15, msg: 240, total: 240)
    Enter your phone number. Sent via http://www.arch.com/message/ (assumes blank PIN)

    AT&T (from: 20, msg: 160, total: 160)
    Enter your phone number. Goes to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

    AU by KDDI (from: 20, msg: 10000, total: 10000)
    Enter your phone number. Goes to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

    BeeLine GSM (from: 50, msg: 255, total: 255)
    Enter your phone number. Goes to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

    Bell Mobility Canada (from: 20, msg: 120, total: 120)
    Enter your phone number, including the 1 prefix. Goes to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

    Bellsouth (from: 20, msg: 160, total: 160)
    Enter your phone number. Goes to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

    BellSouth Mobility (from: 15, msg: 160, total: 160)
    Enter your phone number. Goes to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

    Blue Sky Frog (from: 30, msg: 120, total: 120)
    Enter your phone number. Goes to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

    Boost (from: 30, msg: 120, total: 120)
    Enter your phone number. Goes to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

    Cellular South (from: 50, msg: 155, total: 155)
    Enter your phone number. Messages are sent to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

    CellularOne (Dobson) (from: 20, msg: 120, total: 120)
    Enter your phone number. Goes to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

    CellularOne West (from: 20, msg: 120, total: 120)
    Enter your phone number. Goes to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

    Centennial Wireless (from: 10, msg: 110, total: 110)
    Enter your phone number. Sent via http://www.centennialwireless.com

    Cincinnati Bell (from: 20, msg: 50, total: 50)
    Enter your phone number. Goes to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

    Claro (from: 20, msg: 160, total: 160)
    Enter your phone number. Goes to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

    Comviq (from: 20, msg: 160, total: 160)
    Enter your phone number. Goes to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

    Dutchtone/Orange-NL (from: 15, msg: 150, total: 150)
    Enter your phone number. Messages are sent to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

    Edge Wireless (from: 20, msg: 160, total: 160)
    Enter your phone number. Messages are sent to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

    EinsteinPCS / Airadigm Communications (from: 20, msg: 160, total: 160)
    Enter your phone number. Messages are sent to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

    EPlus (from: 20, msg: 480, total: 480)
    Enter your phone number. Goes to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

    Estonia Mobile Telefon (from: 20, msg: 160, total: 160)
    Enter your phone number. Sent via webform.

    Fido Canada (from: 15, msg: 140, total: 140)
    Enter your phone number. Goes to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

    Golden Telecom (from: 20, msg: 160, total: 160)
    Enter your phone number or nickname. Messages are sent to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

    Idea Cellular (from: 20, msg: 160, total: 160)
    Enter your phone number. Messages are sent to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

    Kyivstar (from: 30, msg: 160, total: 160)
    Sent by addressing the message to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

    LMT (from: 30, msg: 120, total: 120)
    Enter your username. Goes to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

    Manitoba Telecom Systems (from: 20, msg: 120, total: 120)
    10-digit phone number. Goes to @text.mtsmobility.com

    Meteor (from: 20, msg: 160, total: 160)
    Enter your phone number. Goes to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

    Metro PCS (from: 20, msg: 120, total: 120)
    10-digit phone number. Goes to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

    Metrocall Pager (from: 120, msg: 120, total: 120)
    10-digit phone number. Goes to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

    MobileOne (from: 20, msg: 160, total: 160)
    Enter your phone number. Goes to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

    Mobilfone (from: 20, msg: 160, total: 160)
    Enter your phone number. Goes to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

    Mobility Bermuda (from: 20, msg: 160, total: 160)
    Enter your phone number. Goes to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

    MTS Primtel (from: 20, msg: 160, total: 160)
    Enter your phone number. Sent via web gateway.

    Netcom (from: 20, msg: 160, total: 160)
    Enter your phone number. Goes to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

    Nextel (from: 50, msg: 126, total: 126)
    10-digit phone number. Goes to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . Note: do not use dashes in your phone number.

    NPI Wireless (from: 20, msg: 160, total: 160)
    Enter your phone number. Goes to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

    NTC (from: 20, msg: 160, total: 160)
    Enter your phone number. Sent via web gateway.

    O2 (formerly BTCellnet) (from: 20, msg: 120, total: 120)
    Enter O2 username - must be enabled first at http://www.o2.co.uk. Goes to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

    O2 M-mail (formerly BTCellnet) (from: 20, msg: 120, total: 120)
    Enter phone number, omitting initial zero - must be enabled first by sending an SMS saying "ON" to phone number "212". Goes to +44[number]@mmail.co.uk.

    Optus (from: 20, msg: 114, total: 114)
    Enter your phone number. Goes to @optusmobile.com.au

    Orange (UK) (from: 20, msg: 160, total: 160)
    Enter your phone number. Goes to @orange.net. You will need to create a user account at orange.net first.

    Oskar (from: 20, msg: 320, total: 320)
    Enter your phone number. Goes to @mujoskar.cz

    Other (from: 15, msg: 100, total: 100)
    If your provider isn't supported directly, enter the email address that sends you a text message in phone number field. To be safe, the entire message is sent in the body of the message, and the length limit is really short. We'd prefer you give us information about your provider so we can support it directly.

    Pagenet (from: 20, msg: 220, total: 240)
    10-digit phone number (or gateway and pager number separated by a period). Goes to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

    PCS Rogers (from: 20, msg: 125, total: 125)
    10-digit phone number. Goes to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . Requires prior registration with PCS Rogers.

    Personal Communication (Sonet) (from: 20, msg: 150, total: 150)
    Enter your phone number. Goes to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it with your number in the subject line.

    Plus GSM Poland (from: 20, msg: 620, total: 620)
    10-digit phone number. Goes to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

    Powertel (from: 20, msg: 120, total: 120)
    10-digit phone number. Goes to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

    Primtel (from: 20, msg: 150, total: 150)
    Enter your phone number. Goes to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

    PSC Wireless (from: 20, msg: 150, total: 150)
    Enter your phone number. Goes to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

    Qualcomm (from: 20, msg: 120, total: 120)
    Enter your username. Goes to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

    Qwest (from: 14, msg: 100, total: 100)
    10-digit phone number. Goes to @qwestmp.com

    Safaricom (from: 15, msg: 160, total: 160)
    Goes to @safaricomsms.com

    Satelindo GSM (from: 15, msg: 160, total: 160)
    Goes to @satelindogsm.com

    SCS-900 (from: 15, msg: 160, total: 160)
    Goes to @scs-900.ru

    Simple Freedom (from: 15, msg: 160, total: 160)
    Goes to @text.simplefreedom.net

    Skytel - Alphanumeric (from: 15, msg: 240, total: 240)
    Enter your 7-digit pin number as your number and your message will be mailed to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

    Smart Telecom (from: 15, msg: 160, total: 160)
    Enter your phone number. Goes to @mysmart.mymobile.ph

    Smarts GSM (from: 11, msg: 70, total: 70)
    Enter your phone number. Sent via http://www.samara-gsm.ru/scripts/smsgate.exe

    Southern Linc (from: 15, msg: 160, total: 160)
    Enter your 10-digit phone number. Goes to @page.southernlinc.com

    Sprint PCS (from: 15, msg: 160, total: 160)
    Enter your 10-digit phone number. Goes to @messaging.sprintpcs.com

    Sprint PCS - Short Mail (from: 15, msg: 1000, total: 1000)
    Enter your phone number. Goes to @sprintpcs.com

    SunCom (from: 18, msg: 110, total: 110)
    Enter your number. Email will be sent to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

    SureWest Communications (from: 20, msg: 200, total: 200)
    Enter your phone number. Message will be sent to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

    SwissCom Mobile (from: 20, msg: 10000, total: 10000)
    Enter your phone number. Message will be sent to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

    T-Mobile Germany (from: 15, msg: 160, total: 160)
    Enter your number. Email will be sent to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

    T-Mobile Netherlands (from: 15, msg: 160, total: 160)
    Send "EMAIL ON" to 555 from your phone, then enter your number starting with 316. Email will be sent to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

    T-Mobile UK (from: 30, msg: 160, total: 160)
    Messages are sent to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

    T-Mobile USA (from: 30, msg: 160, total: 160)
    Messages are sent to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

    T-Mobile USA (Sidekick) (from: 30, msg: 10000, total: 10000)
    Messages are sent to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

    Tele2 Latvia (from: 20, msg: 160, total: 160)
    10-digit phone number. Goes to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

    Telefonica Movistar (from: 20, msg: 120, total: 120)
    10-digit phone number. Goes to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

    Telenor (from: 20, msg: 160, total: 160)
    10-digit phone number. Goes to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

    Telia Denmark (from: 20, msg: 160, total: 160)
    8-digit phone number. Goes to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

    Telus Mobility (from: 30, msg: 120, total: 120)
    10-digit phone number. Goes to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

    The Phone House (from: 20, msg: 160, total: 160)
    10-digit phone number. Goes to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

    TIM (from: 30, msg: 350, total: 350)
    10-digit phone number. Goes to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

    UMC (from: 10, msg: 120, total: 120)
    Sent by addressing the message to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

    Unicel (from: 10, msg: 120, total: 120)
    Sent by addressing the message to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

    US Cellular (from: , msg: 150, total: 150)
    Enter a 10 digit USCC Phone Number. Messages are sent to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

    Verizon Wireless (from: 34, msg: 140, total: 140)
    Enter your 10-digit phone number. Messages are sent via email to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

    Verizon Wireless (formerly Airtouch) (from: 20, msg: 120, total: 120)
    Enter your phone number. Messages are sent to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . This is ONLY for former AirTouch customers. Verizon Wireless customers should use Verizon Wireless instead.

    Verizon Wireless (myairmail.com) (from: 34, msg: 140, total: 140)
    Enter your phone number. Messages are sent via to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

    Vessotel (from: 20, msg: 800, total: 800)
    Enter your phone number. Messages are sent to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

    Virgin Mobile Canada (from: 20, msg: 140, total: 140)
    Enter your phone number. Messages are sent to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

    Virgin Mobile USA (from: 20, msg: 160, total: 160)
    Enter your phone number. Messages are sent to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

    Vodafone Italy (from: 20, msg: 132, total: 132)
    Enter your phone number. Messages are sent to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

    Vodafone Japan (Chuugoku/Western) (from: 20, msg: 160, total: 160)
    Enter your phone number. Messages are sent to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

    Vodafone Japan (Hokkaido) (from: 20, msg: 160, total: 160)
    Enter your phone number. Messages are sent to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

    Vodafone Japan (Hokuriko/Central North) (from: 20, msg: 160, total: 160)
    Enter your phone number. Messages are sent to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

    Vodafone Japan (Kansai/West -- including Osaka) (from: 20, msg: 160, total: 160)
    Enter your phone number. Messages are sent to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

    Vodafone Japan (Kanto/Koushin/East -- including Tokyo) (from: 20, msg: 160, total: 160)
    Enter your phone number. Messages are sent to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

    Vodafone Japan (Kyuushu/Okinawa) (from: 20, msg: 160, total: 160)
    Enter your phone number. Messages are sent to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

    Vodafone Japan (Shikoku) (from: 20, msg: 160, total: 160)
    Enter your phone number. Messages are sent to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

    Vodafone Japan (Touhoku/Niigata/North) (from: 20, msg: 160, total: 160)
    Enter your phone number. Messages are sent to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

    Vodafone Japan (Toukai/Central) (from: 20, msg: 160, total: 160)
    Enter your phone number. Messages are sent to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

    Vodafone Spain (from: 20, msg: 90, total: 90)
    Enter your username. Messages are sent to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

    Vodafone UK (from: 20, msg: 70, total: 90)
    Enter your username. Messages are sent to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

    Weblink Wireless (from: 20, msg: 160, total: 160)
    Enter your phone number. Goes to @airmessage.net

    WellCom (from: 20, msg: 160, total: 160)
    Enter your phone number. Goes to @sms.welcome2well.com

    WyndTell (from: 20, msg: 480, total: 500)
    Enter username/phone number. Goes to @wyndtell.com

 
Share Jesus without fear! PDF Print Email
Wednesday, 24 March 2010 15:49
Perhaps the number one reason believers don’t share the Gospel with others is because of fear. Sometimes we fear rejection. Sometimes we fear embarrassment. Sometimes we just fear that we won’t know enough to answer the important questions that may be asked. 
 
These fears keep us in safe and comfortable places. Instead of sharing Jesus, we just live our “Christian” lives. Maybe if we really understood the plight of the lost, our fears would be less important and we would do more to reach the unsaved. William Fay described our situation this way:
 
"One night I had a dream. A woman clutched a little girl, struggling to hold her child's head above the water. Nearby, a wave plunged a man into its salty depths. He choked for air as he thrashed his arms against a ceiling of water. All around, the ocean churned with drowning people, gasping for air and desperately trying to push their heads above the surface. Their screams were doused by the roar of the relentless waves. Their cries caught the wind, but only in vain. They were alone in their terror, with no help in sight.
 
Then a huge rock appeared, and a voice called into the darkness. People began crawling up the rock's craggy sides to safety.
 
But when they got to safety, something happened that drove me almost goofy. The people who emerged from the waves got busy. They got involved in building rock gardens, rock lives, rock jobs, listening to their rock music, and going to rock meetings where they talked about people who were still drowning in the ocean. But nobody went back to the water's edge to help.
 
Have you ever tried to run or yell in a dream? In my dreams, I can do neither. Yet I tried to yell at the top of my lungs, "How could you have forgotten you were once in the sea?"
 
As I watched the "saved" scurry about their rock work as I listened to their rock talk, I realized the rock was the cross of Calvary. The voice they heard was Jesus, calling by the power of the Holy Spirit, inviting them to come join him. He's never high up on the rock where it’s safe; he's calling from the ocean’s edge, where the dead, the diseased, and the lost are found, and as you might recall, that's where he found you.
 
Did you know that as few as 5 to 10 percent of people in an average church have shared their faith in the past year? That means 90 percent of us have chosen the sin of silence. Just like in my dream, those who were drowning have gotten so busy and involved with the safety of "The Rock," they've forgotten to reach out to those who are still drowning."
 
Isn’t that sad? We have something that everyone should know about, but at most 10% of believers share their faith in an entire year. Let’s change that statistic! There are lots of great resources out there to better prepare you to share Jesus with unbelievers. One of the best is “Share Jesus Without Fear” by William Fay
 
 
Media in Ministry PDF Print Email
Sunday, 31 May 2009 13:48

Background

As video becomes more popular and even necessary for churches and ministries, web hosts are clamping down on media use online. For example, a ministry purchases 750GB in server space from a web host. The web host has a secret restriction on the amount of video and audio that the ministry may not violate. This limit is a tiny 5GB. That's right, only 5GB for audio and video files.

You might ask, "Why buy 750GB of space if you can only use 5GB for media?" Good question. They don't want you to think about that, or even know about the restriction. Hosts often hide a clause in the contract so they can sell you a huge amount of space while allowing you to use only a fraction (1/150th in this case.) Here's a real example from a web hosting agreement that has no mention of media restrictions anywhere else in the contract:

Customer agrees that Customer shall not use excessive amounts of server resources.

So what is considered "excessive?" The host defines “'excessive amounts of server resources' as using any form of server resource in a manner which noticeably hinders the quality of any service." So what does that mean? That's the point. The host can decide at any time if you are using "excessive amounts" space, even if you paid for the storage. Sneaky contracts like this are used to clamp down on bandwidth-heavy media use when the host oversells their servers.

Think of it this way: A farmer has ten acres to sell. He sells seven to you and seven to someone else. When you attempt to build on your land you are shocked to find that someone else has already built on four of your acres! You confront the farmer who points you to this part of the land contract: "Buyer shall not use excessive amounts of land resources." Web hosts are notorious for overselling their server space - read: scamming you into buying space they do not own. Research suggests that they descended from the guys who used to sell tourists the Statue of Liberty and the Golden Gate Bridge.

Solution

A number of free media hosting services have popped up online that, with a  little work, will solve this problem. Here are my top five:

 

5 - YouTube

While YouTube is the undisputed free video hosting leader, the limitations are crippling for ministry purposes. Length limits of 10 minutes make this a poor option for churches with services and sermons. Hopefully this limit will be removed in the future.

4 - Vimeo

Allows you to upload 500MB per week and supports high definition videos. Of course at only 500MB, you won't be able to add a lot of HD content each week.

3 - Viddler

This is a cool service because they allow you to add notes to the timeline of the video. You can even attach video comments. Like Vimeo, videos must be 500MB or less, but with Viddler, you can upload as many videos you want at any time. Viddler supports more file types for upload than most, including avi, mov, mpg, mp4, wmv, flv, and more.

2 - Veoh

This service has no size limits and comes with cool software to upload your videos as a background service on your computer. The software can even resume broken uploads if you lose your internet connection - important if you are working with large files.

1 - blip.tv

A unique approach to free media hosting, blip.tv offers to share profits with you from their advertising. If you don't want ads, simply turn them off. The service supports all major video formats and files up to 1GB. Uploading videos is easy, you can even connect to their server with an FTP client like FileZilla and upload videos by dragging them from your computer.

 

If you choose to use a free media host, or even a paid media host, keep these tips in mind:

Always keep a backup
Online services come and go. The services listed above are solid and stable, but nothing lasts forever. Keep your original media files so you can upload them to another service if one of these goes away or you find a better one down the road.

Embed the media on your site
Don't just link to the media host site, embed the content in your site for a better user experience. The media host may have content which is inappropriate for your website and linking to the media host will open your visitors to media from other creators, not regulated by you.

If you have any questions or comments please feel free to email me. I am here to help you.

 


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