There are over 350 million active users on Facebook and 70 translations in different languages. In total, more than eight billion minutes are spent on Facebook every day around the world. Of the 350 million Facebook users, 5.4 million claim a Christian faith (Zuckerberg 1). Facebook has been criticized by the media for issues such as online predators, hackers and low productivity. A more concerning problem is the excessive use of Facebook which replaces the imperative physical relationships we need to commune with one another. It's a sad truth that we are so busy that we can't find time to set aside an hour during the week to go to church. For convenience, more and more people are turning to Facebook to express their frustrations and praise in response to the status update question: "What's on your mind?" If people confess and communicate on Facebook, what is the work of the Church in the virtual world? Although the overuse and abuse of Facebook has negative consequences, it is so widely used that it is a powerful evangelical tool for Christians to connect and encourage one another, as well as reach out to others in need. Facebook is used all over the world, so it's easy to connect with friends and family who don't live near you. For example, a friend of yours is going through a tough time and you really want to be there to help them. The problem is they live on the other side of the country. It would be illogical to abandon your job, your studies and your family to travel across the country for a few days. That's where the convenience of Facebook comes in. You can't give a friend in need a "virtual hug" and expect the same result as a physical hug. You can however give them words of encouragement on their wall or follow their life and...... middle of paper ......ther on Facebook and change someone's life. The Church is not a building and God is not limited by walls. If using Facebook can show someone God's love, then why shouldn't it be used to advance His kingdom? Works cited Gosier, Cicely. "Young Christians Bring Faith to Facebook". The Christian Broadcasting Network. November 15, 2009. Nash, Diana “A Facebook Lesson for Churches.” » Christian Science Monitor October 15, 2009: 9. Academic research completed.EBSCO. Internet. November 3, 2009. Rand, Lenora “The Church on Facebook.” Christian Century 126.13 (2009): 22-25. Academic research completed. EBSCO. Web.November 3, 2009Rice, Jesse. The Church of Facebook. Colorado Springs: David C. Cook, 2009. Zuckerberg, Mark. “Facebook.” Facebook. 2009 .