News

2-2-2012

Facebook Page ...

No updates on the other initiatives at this time, as we are waiting on others to proceed.  However, the reason I haven't updated this news page for a while has been the result of a busy time on the new Facebook page.  It was created on December 9th, 2011.  At this point, the page is at almost 5,700 subscribers.  The page is starting to take on a life of its own, as well as expanding its ministry value.

Open Doors USA was recently highlighted on our "Jesus Christ The Messiah" (JCTM) Facebook page. You can check them out on this site's Worthy Causes tab.  JCTM's mission is seeded in hope, and it exists in part to endorse worthy causes like Open Doors USA. JCTM is growing quickly in popularity.  JCTM regularly puts out 2-3 original posts a day on a topic, all about enriching subscribers with God's Word. JCTM is a multi & non denominational effort, and it is all about lifting up others as well as highlighting causes like Open Doors USA.  We are looking for pastors from various denominations join us in order to help take the project to a new level.

12-9-2011

Update: Project - Everlasting Hope ...

The video posted YouTube (click here to play it) is now up to 1,100+ viewers.  It continues to offer itself to those who search desperate keywords and phrases.  Also, the closed captioning was made available on YouTube, and there is a closed caption DVD available as well (available upon request at no cost).

Update: Initiative - "You CAN Soar" Grants

This continues to progress, but nothing yet that I can announce publicly.

Update: Initiative - "Seeds for New Hope" Grants

Due to difficulties with equipment on account of rain and other conditions, we have not been able yet to proceed with the video.  We are hoping that we will be able to continue where we left off in upcoming weeks, probably after Christmas and New Year's.

Additional ...

Earlier this week, I created a Facebook page called "Jesus Christ The Messiah" Community page.  It is getting close to Christmas, and in the spirit of the web site's mission, I decided to dedicate this new FaceBook page to dispensing hope (utilizing messages around Christ's own words).  The wall is open for anyone to post a need.  It is also on a tab of this site, called "Blog - JCMessiah.org."  You can access the page without using Facebook directly.

11-18-2011

Update: Project - Everlasting Hope ...

Presently, the video is posted on YouTube (click here to play it). I am paying dollars a day to make it appear to users who search YouTube and Google, based on words and phrases that imply a potential need ("bullying", "suicide", etc.). It has been just over 24 hours since I posted the promotion on YouTube.  Already, there are some results to share. 

Please keep in mind as you read this that the goal is NOT about getting hits on the video OR this site.  The whole idea is to provide a source of hope and encouragement at the right place and at the right time, for anyone who appears to have a potential need.

Users were searching for keywords (or phrases) that matched keywords and phrases that I associated with the video.  Somewhere in the results, the ad appeared to them (called an "impression").  It is worded as such, with a thumbnail of a frame from the video showing a bully scene:

Bullying
You're NOT alone with the bully!
Hope from a 9-year old girl.

If the user clicks on the impression, the video plays for them.  This is what they see when it starts ...

Ignore the low-color depth screen shot that I placed up here, and focus on the title caption on top and the 3-lines of wording near the bottom.  By clicking on the Frownfelter.com address at the bottom, as it welcomes them to, they land on a page that extends a message of hope to them (click here).

Now, at this time just over 24 hours since the impressions started running, here are some of the highlights ...

This is only a small section of the keywords and phrases that I'm watching.  Many of them are along the lines of "help me", "abused", and "bullying."  Many "impressions" for those keywords / phrases were shown to the user as well, giving them an opportunity to see the video (among all of their other search results) and come here for the broader message of hope.  There have been 60,000+ impressions so far, with close to 100 logged views by users.  Since I'm giving low bids for space due to cost, my "impressions" are mostly not at the top of any search results.  So, I consider 100 views out of 60,000+ "impressions" to be positive.

Based on the results so far, I am encouraged to continue to make this resource available to anyone who might possibly be trying to find hope and help through these channels.  I don't have any present sponsors to offset the cost of running those impressions, but I'm ok for now. However, if this initiative is something that you would like to support as well, I certainly would not turn you away if your heart is in it. You can contact me at Jeff@Frownfelter.com.

My next step is to find some credible support systems / organizations, making their links readily available to anyone who lands on the message page from the video.  If you have any suggestions as to who I might refer them to (with some emphasis on bullying, etc. ... anything that might apply to those keywords, please let me know).  I checked through my Church leadership, and they could not think of anyone to suggest in reference to the bullying.

Before I move to the next update, let me briefly say that the individuals behind this site will be encouraged to keep it available for those seeking hope ... IF you take the time to do one of a few things that will cost you nothing except a minute to click a link and type a few words. At the bottom of this post, you can leave an anonymous comment, just saying that you were here and any thoughts / questions you might have. Also, if you want to find your way back here OR get a copy of an occasional post like this that will promote hope, just click here to follow us or find the button on the right sidebar of this post. Thanks, and now comes the next update ...

Update: Initiative - "You CAN Soar" Grants

The public service announcement was completed a week ago.  I'm presently working with a few organizations toward their use of that 1 minute video clip.  Not enough time has passed yet to have something to talk about here, except to say that it seems promising.

Update: Initiative - "Seeds for New Hope" Grants

Wednesday evening, we met with Manna Ministries to talk about this initiative.  Thursday night, we joined Manna as they went out to the homeless camp site to feed and fellowship with that community.  After talking to the group about this initiative, spending the next hour talking to individuals there, they were open to us returning Saturday night and join them at the camp for actual photo and video capture.  We put it to that community to think about what THEY want us to capture in video and sound in order to convey to the rest of the world what their life is like, including life leading up to their present situation.  I discern that there are stories there that might surprise many.  Just for one example, I met someone who ended up there a year ago AFTER a flood elsewhere in the State ruined his home and job situation.  He has no family, and he has found it nearly impossible to get back on his feet. 

Pray for those of us who are going Saturday night, as well as the community there, that we are able to put something together that leads to something that will aid them in whatever way that they need.

Jeff (Frownfelter.com Admin)