The document discusses the development of a web-based small group environment called Sync, designed to engage millennials and Gen Z in a digital and interactive manner. It highlights a significant interest in biblical teachings among these generations and the lack of effective discipleship in current churches. Sync aims to facilitate spiritual growth by integrating technology into learning and mentoring experiences within small groups.

1. A New Experience in Learning and Discipleship…
Modern, Mobile, Engaging, Safe

2. Two in Three Challenge
Two out of three people
on planet earth are Millennials and Gen. Z
https://vimeo.com/152021460
Gen Z will comprise 32 percent of the
global population of 7.7 billion in
2019, nudging ahead of millennials,
who will account for a 31.5 percent
share, based on Bloomberg
analysis of United Nations data
(Aug. 20. 2018)

3. Good News About Millennials
“Millennials are more interested than other generations
in the Bible and what the Bible teaches on topics like life,
death, marriage, money, finances and even digital life.”
Dave Kinnaman, president of Barna Group: 2015
• 48% of Millennials
chose small-group Bible study
(social and intellectual aspects
of Christianity)
• 33% chose image
of growing flower
(personal growth
and cultivating beauty)

4. (54-72 years) (38-53) (19-37) (13-
18)
Percentage of Worldview by Generation
2015 Barna survey of pastors revealed:
•Only 1% said “today’s churches are doing very well
at discipling new and young believers”
•60% felt churches are discipling “not too well”
•8% believed their own church was discipling “very well”
(2013 Research from: Barna Research Group, Southern Baptist Life Commission, Josh McDowell and Campus Crusade for Christ, Focus on the Family, Church of
the Nazarene Research, Evangelical Covenant Church study, The Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion—last three listed statistics)

5. Vision
“One of the most positive trends among Millennials
is that they want faith that is holistically integrated
into all areas of life—including their technology.
How the Church acknowledges and engages the digital domain –
and teaches faithfulness in real-life to young adults as well –
will determine much about its long-term effectiveness among Millennials.”
“How Technology is Changing Millennial Faith,” Dave
Kinnamen, President Barna Group, Update, October 15,
2013

6. Sync with God is developing a web-based small group environment
that does not exist in one place today and to bridge generations.
•Bring together in one app the best of today’s technologies
•Meet as a small group to learn together
•Share ideas in video as well as text
•Study lessons and shared material under leadership of a mentor

7. Why Sync?
Help participants who live in a digital world
be with one another on a scheduled
or spontaneous way to help each other
understand the relevancy of Scripture
and the Holy Spirit in their daily lives
in the 21st
century.

8. What Makes Sync Unique?
Create an experience
of learning
in a ‘virtual small group’
or ‘virtual coffee house’ setting

9. Virtual Small Group
Personal One-on-One
Mentoring
Mentee
Mentor
Mentor Coach
(Small Group
Leader)
Discipleship Model

10. Envision a new experience…
https://vimeo.com/159831869

11. Technology Enhances Interactions
• On Sync app, a person will click a link and see Biblical text expanded or collapsed on phone screen.
• People can add questions and save their answers as a private journal
• Option to text chat for further discussion with their mentor coach or other small group members

12. Innovation Research
Group Mobile collaboration

13. Mobile Usage…Important, Changing
 Mobile Reliance  Mobile Integration

14. Opportunity - Top 10 List (Millennial)
Opp Imp Sat Question
1 13.1 9.2 5.4
Mentoring; coaching, guidance (#14)
2 12.3 7.4 2.6
How important is it to communicate how I'm feeling? difficulty with the topic? level of engagement? (#17)
3 12.3 7.9 3.6
How important is it to gauge the experience, needs of the individuals in the group? ie ask questions, easily
gather/present group input? (#5)
4 12.1 8.5 4.9
Learning; educational content (#15)
5 12.1 6.9 1.8
How important is it to hide/abstract your identity when answering certain 'sensitive' questions? ex. how many of you
are dealing with drug or porn addiction? ability to temporarily abstract identity.
6 12.1 7.2 2.3
How important is it to minimize the effort at scheduling meetings; video chats or follow-up sessions with the group?
7 11.8 6.9 2.1
How important is it to create your personal/private space for notes, journaling and questions?
8 11.8 6.9 2.1
How important is it to hide where you or group members are located?
9 11.8 6.7 1.5 How important is it for the content of the group to not be identifiable or quickly removed?
10 11.5 6.9 2.3
How important is it to be able to procure, upload, share 'bite-size' book/course content in a mobile learning
environment?

15. Partners
• Churches focused on discipleship
• Christian secondary schools
• Christian universities
• Mission agencies
• Parachurch organizations
• India

16. Core Team
John Ward, CEO
Business Executive,
Pastor, Elder, Mission-
Driven Strategies
eLearning Consultant,
Leader of International
Non-Profit Ministry to
Faith-Based Groups
Mark Pomeroy,
Founder
Networker, Writer,
Discipler, Missionary,
Christ For the City Int.
Promise Keepers Staff,
College Ministry,
Marketplace Outreach
Brad White, Project
Manager
Coaching software
development teams since
2003.
Multi-industry software
engineer

17. Next steps…
First Year Start-Up Costs:
Build pilot web app with InspireHUB
and India company: $30k
Phase 1: Working with InspireHUB progressive
web app--won’t allow API for video chat
or two-way text--open in another window.
Simulate experience but navigation not seamless.
(3) pilot groups, including Chennai, India, to provide
feedback.
Does the mobile app concept address discipleship in a
meaningful way to effectively meet small group needs?
$10K for the app
Link to phase 1 pilot: https://sync.ihubapp.org/home

18. Next steps…
First Year Start-Up Costs:
 Phase 2: Provide basic functional app
with all the developed content but without
functional video conferencing, journaling,
and integrated chat features. Study
participants provide feedback:
Does the studied, online material provides
a robust, relevant, compelling and life
changing discipleship experience for new
or lukewarm Christians?
$20K for the app

19. Online Giving to Sync with God
Online Giving: sync.ihubapp.org/give