During the first week of its launch in May, the WELS Facebook page, www.facebook.com/welslutherans, attracted more than three thousand fans. The page contains popular content from the WELS Web site, www.wels.net, including devotions, missionary blog entries, and news updates.

"For many Web users, being online means Facebook," says Joel Hochmuth, WELS communications director. "According to the Nielsen ratings, Facebook attracts more than 116 million unique visitors in the United States each month. The average Facebook user spends more than seven hours on the site each month—that's more than double the time anyone spends on any other 'parent' Web company like Google or Yahoo. If we want to reach people where they are, Facebook is the place."

As Alicia Neumann, content manager for the WELS Web site, explains, "The Facebook page is an extension of the WELS Web site—a way to get our best content in the hands of more people so that we can engage a new audience of WELS members and nonmembers alike. The Facebook page is also a great vehicle to help spread God's Word and to let people know who we are as a church body."

Because Facebook is a social networking site, it encourages online dialogue. Julie Duran, WELS' Webmaster, believes this can help WELS connect to its visitors to learn what their Web needs are and to evaluate what content meets those needs. In addition, she says, "It's encouraging to connect with our fellow Christians. Just like it says in 1 Thessalonians 5:11: 'Therefore encourage one another and build each other up.' "

BECOME A FAN

To encourage Facebook users to become a fan of its site, WELS is selecting one fan each week from June through August to receive a $20 Northwestern Publishing House gift card. Both new and existing fans will be eligible to win the weekly prize. Sign up now at: www.facebook.com/welslutherans