Once you have seekers messaging you through the platform, whether it’s on WhatsApp, Facebook, Instagram, etc., you want to make sure you have a system in place for filtering who are potential people of peace (PPOP).

The Digital Filterer identifies PPOPs and prepares them from a face-to-face meeting with a Multiplier offline. It takes prayer and discernment from the Spirit.

Some ways to recognize PPOPs:

Seekers who are responding to your filter and actively moving toward Christ
Seekers who seem genuinely hungry for the Bible
Seekers who want to involve others

General Filtering Process:

Listen: Seek to understand their motives for messaging.
Go Deeper: Point them towards a testimony video, an article, a passage in Scripture, etc. and get their feedback. Don’t be the answer person. Help them to learn how to discover.
Cast Vision: Share the vision for discovering God in the Word, life application, and telling others about it.
Discuss Scripture: Consider doing a mini-DBS with them through chat.

Take time to think about what filters will be in place before the PPOP is ready to meet with a multiplier. For example, in some contexts, a Digital Filterer will filter for a person who is:

over 18, especially in countries where sharing with children is illegal
responsive and spiritually open
willing to give their name, contact, and the area they live in, so you know they are serious about wanting a face-to-face meeting, but this may change depending on security concerns

Think about what filters you need for your context to know they are ready to meet with a multiplier.

While there is no example of a perfect messaging conversation, here is an example below of the type of conversation one team aims to have.

Digital Filterer: Hello. We are Genovian* Christians. How can we help you? What is your question?

*Using Genovia as a made-up country name

Contact: I want to know more about the post.

Digital Filterer: You want to know more about the post about peace?

Contact: Yes. I want to have peace.

Digital Filterer: That is a great question. I love this question. [give affirmation and encouragement] I would love to help answer that, but I have a question for you. I have been responding in chat for a while and I am noticing that a lot of Genovians [show they are not alone] have questions about peace. This question is so common among Genovians. What led you to have this question? I would love to hear your story. [Look for where they are lost and what would be good news to them.]

Contact: I have struggles with anger and want to have peace in my life.

Digital Filterer: When I came to faith, I had similar questions. My friends and I looked at verses from the Bible together and began reading them together. There is power in following Jesus. He has given me and my friends hope and changed our lives. [Use plurals and group language.] What would you be willing to do to have peace?

Contact: I don’t know but I cannot forgive.

Digital Filterer: Would you like me to help you with your question about peace now?

Contact: Yes.

Digital Filterer: Great! The question is so important and the answer is so powerful. I need you to hear from God not me. I will point you to answers in the Bible. This conversation reminds me of a story the Messiah told….[pray about what verses to share].

What do you think God wants us to learn from the story?

[have a mini-DBS]

Digital Filterer: I have found that the Genovians who grow most in their understanding of God are those who are willing to talk about it with others. Is there anyone who you think would like to hear this story and you could discuss it together?

Contact: I think of my friend and maybe I can talk about this story with her.

Digital Filterer: Great! I know someone who would be willing to meet with you and your friends and show you how to read the Bible together. Do you and your friends want to talk with someone?

Contact: Yes I want to talk with someone. I will ask my friend.

Digital Filterer: Can I get your phone number and ask my friend to call you?

Contact: 12 345 7345

Digital Filterer: Ok I will ask my friend to call you.

Other general tips:

For each ad, have passages and conversation points in mind to address potentially common questions and themes.
Consider having practice conversations with a friend to prepare for online conversations.
Keep in mind security concerns. For example, consider if using another name online is necessary.
Multipliers should constantly seek discernment from the Holy Spirit when filtering for PPOP.

Best Practices for Filtering Seekers Online

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